MEDIA ADVISORY

Monday, August 3, 2009

Full-Scale Exercise: Operation Cache Flow

What: “Operation Cache Flow” is a full-scale exercise to help develop guidelines for the activation of CHEMPACK by first responders. CHEMPACK is a federal asset of nerve agent antidotes that is prepositioned within each state to assist in the medical treatment of people exposed to specific chemicals.

This exercise will focus on a traffic accident involving an organophosphate pesticide in which fire fighters and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals will use the medication provided by the CHEMPACK to treat those exposed to the chemical.

Who: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Division and the Cunningham Fire Protection District are cosponsoring the exercise. Fifteen agencies from various communications centers, fire departments, hospitals and EMS agencies will participate in the exercise.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
(Photo Op) The media are invited to observe the exercise from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Signage will direct them to an observation point where they will be able to watch fire fighters respond to a mock scene and activate the CHEMPACK.

Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, CO

Players: Fifteen agencies will be participating in the exercise.

Thanks go to Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Arapahoe Park Race Track for the use of their facility and support of the exercise.

Note: This exercise is supported by federal grants to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant) and Cunningham Fire Protection District (Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant).

Contact: Lori Maldonado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Communications, 303-692-2028

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