SEARCH Assists in Terrorism Response Exercise

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SEARCH assisted in a terrorism response exercise held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 7. Dan Hawkins, SEARCH Director of Public Safety Programs, and Public Safety Technology Specialists, Joe Noce and Ben Krauss headed the Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) communications evaluation portion of the six-hour drill. SEARCH is one of the primary site management resources used by the Department of Homeland Security in its efforts to provide technical assistance under the ICTAP program, and is the site manager for Las Vegas.

After 10 months of planning, approximately 1,000 people representing 54 different entities-police, fire, hospitals, emergency management, university, federal agencies and the military-executed the Operation Loaded Dice Exercise Plan (EXPLAN). The exercise cost of approximately $250,000 and was funded through the Homeland Security Grant Program.

"The exercise was a very big success as illustrated in the Las Vegas Review Journal article. The lessons learned will be used to modify and improve response to major emergency incidents," said Joe Noce.

Las Vegas Review Journal, "Interagency Coordination: Drill tests response"