The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was a participant in Baltimore City's extensive bioterrorism preparedness drill, Harbor B.A.S.E. (for Biological Attack Simulated Exercise).

The two-day exercise, held July 9 and 10, was designed to test the communications links and readiness of local hospitals, law enforcement, emergency personnel, public health and other agencies during a simulated outbreak of botulism and smallpox.

Baltimore officials conducted the scenario with many local and state agencies. Faculty from the school's Center for Public Health Preparedness and Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies assisted city officials with coordination and evaluation of the exercise. Volunteers from the school also played "victims" in mock attacks. Some of the volunteers received simulated treatment at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which also participated in the drill.

The exercise was sponsored by the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
Tim Parsons