Denver Area Biohazard Public Safety Drill In Progess

DENVER CO – If you see first responders in hazmat suits rushing about in public spots in and around Denver, Wednesday and Thursday, don't panic. Emergency departments will be participating in a two-day simulation exercise designed to simulate the release of a biological weapon. The Dept. of Homeland Security's BioWatch training program is designed to be an early-warning system that detects biological agents intentionally released into the air.

"This early warning system could ensure potential victims receive life-saving treatment as quickly as possible," said a statement from said Dane Matthew, director of the state health department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

You may see participants from Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Jefferson and Boulder counties, as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testing air quality and then simulating an emergency scenario drill involving "patients" receiving medical care.

This long-planned series of exercises is not meant to frighten anyone, coming on the heels of the Las Vegas shooting and the emergency responses that have been broadcast in the past couple of days.

"Coloradans can be assured there is no immediate threat of a biological agent release,” Matthew said in a press release. "We are mobilizing to prepare for an emergency scenario so we can be as ready as possible. This exercise is one of many drills we have been conducting around the state to practice and test our response."

You can follow the exercises at @colohealth.

BioWatch Infographic_0 by JeanLotus on Scribd