Where will the TOPOFF 4 Full-Scale Exercise take place? How were the venues selected?
Joining DHS and other Federal agencies in this important effort are the States of Arizona and Oregon, the United States Territory of Guam, as well as three international partners: Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. As radiological incidents originate in Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; and the United States Territory of Guam, State, territorial, and local officials in Oregon and Guam will conduct a full-scale exercise, while Arizona officials will participate in a functional exercise. In coordination with the U.S. Department of State, related activities will also take place in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. States request participation in the exercise to support national exercise goals and to enhance their own preparedness. Typically, two States are selected for each TOPOFF cycle. For the first time in the TOPOFF series, a U.S. territory will take part in the exercise this year.
The states of Arizona and Oregon, the United States Territory of Guam, as well as three international partners—Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom—will join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies in this important effort. Simulated radiological incidents will occur in Phoenix, Portland, and Guam, upon which the territorial government of Guam and the state of Oregon will conduct full-scale exercises with their affected local governments. Arizona officials will participate in a functional exercise. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom will not have separate functional or full-scale exercises. However, with the coordination of the U.S. Department of State, they will be responding to the crisis occurring in Guam, Portland, and Phoenix. In order to be selected as a venue, states request participation in the exercise to support national exercise goals and enhance their own preparedness. Typically, two states are selected for each TOPOFF cycle. For the f