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Busan Metropolitan City Strengthens Joint Preparedness and Response System Against Bioterrorism Ahead of the National Sports Festival

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will conduct a “Bioterrorism Response Simulation Training,” simulating the release of bioterrorism-related infectious diseases, jointly with related institutions throughout the city from September 9 to 30.

This training has been prepared to strengthen the city’s capacity to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and to minimize damage in the event of an incident. In particular, as the National Sports Festival approaches, the city is making thorough preparations for a swift and comprehensive response.

The training will be conducted on both a large and small scale, with a total of eight district and county health centers taking the lead. Related institutions in the region—including public health, police, fire departments, the military, and medical institutions—will participate to review their respective roles in the event of an incident and to examine the step-by-step response system.

The large-scale training is a simulation based on scenarios of infectious disease outbreaks caused by bioterrorism, designed to enhance the on-site response capacity of related institutions. Led by the Geumjeong District Health Center, the training will include a table-top discussion exercise (September 9) and a field-based exercise (September 22).

The “table-top discussion exercise” is designed to enhance cooperation between response agencies through pre-training discussions and to explore solutions to unexpected challenges and other issues that may arise in the field.

The “field-based exercise” is a comprehensive on-site training that includes functional drills, field response activities, and resource mobilization.

The small-scale training focuses on practicing the roles of health workers in the event of bioterrorism, including methods of using on-site multi-detection equipment and donning and doffing personal protective equipment (Level A, Level C, etc.). It will be organized by health centers in Dongnae District (August 25), Busanjin District (September 10), Suyeong District (September 12), Gijang County (September 18), Nam District (September 19), Yeonje District (September 24), and Haeundae District (September 30).

Meanwhile, from April to August this year, the city conducted capacity-building education programs for initial response personnel in preparation for international events and the National Sports Festival and carried out pre-inspections of bioterrorism stockpiles in each district and county.

Specifically, in April, education sessions were provided for public health officials responsible for bioterrorism preparedness and response at local health centers. From April to May, the city conducted pre-inspections of district and county bioterrorism stockpiles (including protective suits and multi-detection kits) in cooperation with the Gyeongnam Regional Disease Response Center and local health centers.

In August, practical on-site training was held in collaboration with the Jungbu Fire Station and the Infectious Disease Management Support Group, including exercises on donning and doffing personal protective equipment and operating multi-detection kits.

Cho Kyu-yul, Director General of the Citizens’ Health Bureau, stated, “Through this training, we expect that the initial response team—comprising public health, police, and fire departments—will be able to respond more swiftly and accurately to suspected cases of bioterrorism through close cooperation. Particularly this year, with the National Sports Festival ahead, we will strengthen our preparedness posture to ensure a safe and successful event. We will also continue to prioritize the health and safety of citizens above all else.”