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Busan Metropolitan City to Conduct Joint Bioterrorism Response Drills with Relevant Agencies

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will conduct joint bioterrorism response drills with relevant agencies across Busan from October 15 to 29, simulating potential bioterrorism incidents.

The drills are designed to strengthen rapid and systematic initial response capabilities in the event of a bioterrorism incident, review coordination systems among relevant agencies, and protect the lives and safety of citizens.

The drills will be divided into large-scale and small-scale exercises, led by district and county public health centers. Local agencies involved in bioterrorism response, including police, fire departments, the military, and medical institutions, will participate to familiarize themselves with their respective roles in an emergency and review response procedures at each stage.

The large-scale drills will be conducted based on a scenario involving an infectious disease outbreak caused by bioterrorism, with the aim of enhancing the on-site response capabilities of participating agencies.

Dong-gu Public Health Center conducted a discussion-based exercise on September 30 and will hold an operations-based exercise on October 15.

The discussion-based exercise involves scenario-based discussions on specific topics to identify areas requiring interagency cooperation, examine unexpected situations that may arise at the scene, and explore appropriate response measures.

The operations-based exercise is a comprehensive on-site response drill based on a simulated bioterrorism incident. It includes functional exercises, on-site response activities, and resource mobilization.

The small-scale drills will provide hands-on training to strengthen the practical response capabilities of public health personnel, including the use of on-site multi-agent detection equipment and procedures for donning and doffing personal protective clothing, such as Level A and Level C protective suits.

These drills will be conducted by the public health centers of Yeongdo-gu (October 16), Jung-gu (October 20), Saha-gu (October 22), Gangseo-gu (October 23), Seo-gu (October 27), and Sasang-gu (October 29).

Buk-gu previously conducted its drill on September 22.

Meanwhile, from May through September, Busan Metropolitan City provided capacity-building training for initial response personnel in preparation for major national events and potential bioterrorism incidents. The city also conducted advance inspections of bioterrorism response supplies stockpiled by each district and county.

In May, the city provided bioterrorism preparedness and response training for public health center personnel responsible for bioterrorism response. During April and May, it also worked with the Gyeongnam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention and district and county public health centers to inspect stockpiled bioterrorism response supplies, including personal protective clothing and multi-agent detection kits.

In September, the city collaborated with the Gyeongnam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Infectious Disease Control Support Group to provide hands-on training for initial response personnel. The training focused on strengthening bioterrorism response capabilities through practical exercises in donning and doffing personal protective equipment and using multi-agent detection kits.

Cho Gyu-yul, Director-General of the Citizens' Health Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, "As uncertainty in the domestic and international security environment continues, thorough preparedness for public health emergencies, including bioterrorism, is essential."

He added, "Through these drills, we will further strengthen coordination among public health authorities, police, fire departments, and other relevant agencies. We will also continue to enhance our capabilities for swift and systematic on-site response to protect the lives and safety of citizens in the event of an actual incident."