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Release Date: September 24, 2007
For Immediate Release
FEMA News Desk
Contact: 202-646-4600
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will conduct the largest and most comprehensive counterterrorism exercise to date from Oct. 15-19 in Arizona and Oregon, and the U.S. territory of Guam. Top Officials 4 (TOPOFF 4) is the fourth in a series of congressionally-mandated exercises and involves various federal agencies as well as the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“The National Intelligence Estimate and recent activity overseas reinforce that we are in a period of increased risk,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Exercises like TOPOFF help test response capabilities at all levels, strengthen national preparedness and deepen international coordination. By responding realistically to these simulated attacks, we’re able to identify our strengths and weaknesses, build better partnerships, and gain valuable knowledge for securing the nation against terrorist attacks and other natural disasters.”
TOPOFF 4 will involve more than 15,000 participants from all levels of government, international partners and the private sector in a full-scale, simulated response to radiological dispersal device attacks.
“TOPOFF stresses our preparedness and response systems with situations that no single agency or jurisdiction could handle on its own,” said David Paulison, Administrator of DHS’ Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The right response actually takes thousands of individuals working together. This exercise is about strengthening working relationships within our partners in federal, state and local agencies, emergency management communities and private industry groups. It’s about increasing preparedness by sharing information and processes.”
To reach the overarching goal and objectives to enhance interagency coordination, planning and preparedness, TOPOFF 4 will focus on five key areas:
TOPOFF 4 builds on experiences from previous exercises as well real world emergencies, and will also prioritize increased coordination with U.S. Department of Defense and the private sector, an expanded emphasis on prevention, a deeper focus on mass decontamination, long-term recovery and remediation issues, and strengthened partnerships and communications with international allies.
In addition to TOPOFF 4 objectives, each supporting and partnering agency, state, territory and local entity has developed a set of specific objectives to further assist them in preparing for emergency situations.
For more information on TOPOFF 4, visit the Department of Homeland Security Web site at www.dhs.gov/topoff4.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on September 24, 2007.