Don’t panic today if your surroundings erupt with sounds and images more familiar in Afghanistan than in Denver.
More than 100 emergency agencies are taking part in a terrorism-response exercise that promises to attract attention throughout the metro area.
Simulated explosions will boom, smoke will rise and emergency vehicles will blare warning signals as fake weapons are drawn.
The exercise, Operation Mountain Guardian, began at 5 a.m. and is to end by 4:30 p.m. and will involve 14 primary and secondary locations.
The exercise is an opportunity for regional first responders to react to a mock terrorist-driven catastrophe.
“We want to make sure that people will know this is what is happening on Friday,” said Denver district attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
Most of the action will break out at five locations over the course of the day: Park Meadows mall; the former Smedley Elementary School, now closed; Union Station; Community College of Aurora; and Denver International Airport.
Sky Ridge Medical Center, Denver Health Medical Center and University of Colorado Hospital will test their ability to handle a surge of injured patients during the drill. And Sports Authority Field at Mile High “may have a small role in helping to process the (pretend) mass casualties,” Kimbrough said.
Catholic Charities will serve as an evacuation center, where high school students participating in the drill as actors will be taken. The students’ parents have signed consent forms, said Denver public Schools spokesman Michael Vaughn.
Participants emphasized that all the scenes being used in the simulation will remain open and safe for the public.
