ESS offers anti-terror exercises

TEMPE, Ariz., April 2 (UPI) -- Arizona-based crisis-management software developer ESS says it will sponsor an anti-terrorism exercise with strategies for the defense of chemical facilities.

ESS officials say the anti-terror exercise is an effort to address new U.S. Homeland Security Department requirements under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorist Standards designed to better prepare targeted chemical facilities against potential terrorist threats. The planned chemical facility anti-terrorism exercise will be held at the ESS Expo 08 in Phoenix.

Included in the exercise will be a simulation of terrorists gaining access to a chemical processing facility and strategies for emergency response personnel on how to handle the situation with minimal damage. Officials say the exercise will also provide a multi-hazard scenario in the potential for a pandemic.

"The Department of Homeland Security believes chemical processing facilities are major targets for terrorist attacks," Robert Johnson, ESS president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "That is why a growing number of organizations are implementing crisis management software solutions as a best practice to help responders streamline response during exercises and real-time emergencies."