TopOff2 Terrorism Simulation puts CoBRA® Emergency Response Software to the test.

Defense Group Inc. has just completed involvement in the national homeland security exercise dubbed TopOff 2, the largest of its kind ever undertaken in the United States. The federal government purchased CoBRA® (Chemical Biological Response Aide) software and distributed it to Chicago and Seattle emergency personnel involved in the exercise.

Defense Group Inc. has just completed involvement in the national homeland security exercise dubbed TopOff 2, the largest of its kind ever undertaken in the United States. The federal government purchased CoBRA® (Chemical Biological Response Aide) software and distributed it to Chicago and Seattle emergency personnel involved in the exercise.

Defense Group Inc. also supplied subject matter experts to assist and train the responders on scene.

Also on hand were current CoBRA® users such as the Seattle Bomb Squad, Port of Seattle Police, Washington State Police, King County Sheriffs Department and the FBI, who brought their complete CoBRA® Response Kits to the exercise. These kits include a digital camera, a GPS Receiver with mapping software, scanner, portable printer and CoBRA® Software loaded on an ultra-rugged CoBRA Hardpak® laptop computer, which can be decontaminated by running it through a dishwasher.

The CoBRA® tools were used during a simulated bio-weapons attack as well as a dirty bomb explosion and a conventional explosive car bomb.

This gave us a great opportunity to observe CoBRA being put through its paces by actual users in a realistic setting" said Craig Levy Director of Training for DGI and a former Fire Division Chief of Osceola County Florida.

During a hazardous incident, a wealth of information can be accessed from the CoBRA® software tools, which allow users to identify and record the threat and then select appropriate response measures. Users can access data on WMD (including chemical & biological weapons and toxic industrial materials), forensic investigations, emergency medical procedures, and personal protective equipment as well as detailed data sheets on more than 60,000 toxic chemicals contained within the package.

The CoBRA® Response Tools were used to help participants achieve the scenarios objectives; which were to practice varying courses of action, gain and maintain situational awareness and deploy appropriate resources. The strategies obtained from this exercise will guide future WMD response efforts.

About DGI
Since 1987, DGI has assisted government agencies in their response to potential incidents involving terrorism and HazMat. DGI has provided its products and services to the FBI, Pentagon, DTRA, DOE, and National Guard as well as corporations such as MCI and Bristol Myers Squibb.