MILWAUKEE, May 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Homeland Security Department will conduct a multi-agency exercise Tuesday to test emergency response capabilities to a waterborne terrorist attack.
The exercise, called Heartland Initiative 2009, will take place in the Port of Milwaukee. Officials said 30 emergency response agencies from Wisconsin and Illinois and more than 350 personnel are expected to participate, the Coast Guard reported.
The Heartland Initiative will simulate a radiological incident launched by a terrorist organization as part of an effort to measure the ability of emergency-response authorities to work together and counter the threat.
"Exercises such as this greatly help the response community in the region prepare for large-scale emergencies," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said in a statement.
"I appreciate the efforts of all participants. We are fortunate in Wisconsin to have experienced, dedicated professionals at all levels of government who come together quickly as a team to protect and serve the public whenever required."
