Will Greenlee

will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

Dozens of local, state and federal agencies will participate Wednesday in a mock terrorism and mass casualty exercise across the Treasure Coast, handling simulated chemical releases, fires and decontamination efforts.

Three areas where events will be staged beginning at 8 a.m. are Tradition Irrigation Plant in the Tradition area of Port St. Lucie, Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce and Witham Field in Stuart, said Kathryn Boer, exercise director with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.

“We’ve been planning this for six months,” she said. “It’s a pretty heavy-duty exercise, but everybody is playing, which is wonderful.”

She said a Black Hawk helicopter is coming from the Florida National Guard in Tampa.

The exercise is being facilitated by the regional planning council.

At the Tradition Irrigation Plant west of Interstate 95, the scenario will include a box truck with chemicals that explodes.

“We’re going to simulate it with dry ice, which will be a low lying cloud and no dangers,” Boer said.

The cloud will float over a crowd watching a K-9 demonstration, which is where a decontamination effort will occur.

Another scenario is planned to begin in the Indian River Lagoon in the area of the Oslo Road Boat Ramp in Indian River County. Helicopters will be involved, and there will be a boat chase. For this incident, Treasure Coast U.S. Rep. Brian Mast will be at Harbor Branch between 8 and 9 a.m. to watch, Boer said. Decontamination efforts will occur as part of this exercise.

The third site is at Witham Field, where a fire will occur, as well as decontamination efforts.

Drones and a dirigible will record footage, Boer said.

Hospitals that will handle an influx of patients include Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, Martin Medical Center in Stuart, Martin Hospital South in Stuart and Tradition Medical Center in Port St. Lucie.