Alexandria, VA. -- DGI’s CoBRA® software was used by participants at a table-top exercise for hospitals in Melville, NY. The exercise was held on May 26, 2005 by the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and the Stonybrook University Hospital in order to test hospital preparedness for terrorist threats.

The exercise scenario involved a simulated outbreak of Shigella Dysenteriae bacteria, which causes severe abdominal symptoms, as a result of a deliberate terrorist attack on a local meat supply and a simulated explosion at a local mall, which severely burned fifty-five victims. Participants in the exercise included all twenty-five hospitals in Nassau and Suffolk County and state and local emergency management agencies, such as the Nassau and Suffolk County Police and Health Departments and the New York State Department of Health.

DGI’s CoBRA® software, which included tailored Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS) resources, was used by 30 participating agencies.  CoBRA® software provides medical, hazmat, fire, law enforcement, EMS and bomb squad responders and emergency management personnel with the necessary interactive tools, guides, databases, SOPs, NIMS/ICS forms, checklists and incident reporting capabilities to manage incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats, including Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). The additional, tailored medical resources incorporated into CoBRA® systems for the exercise include current data from the American Medical Association in partnership with the CDC regarding the Management of Public Health Emergencies, smallpox tracking forms, Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS) documentation and forms and the CoBRA® triage tool, based on START Triage.

Participants used CoBRA® to document events and activities during this simulated emergency. Exercise organizer Patrick Pogan of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System stated, “The CoBRA® systems afforded all the participating hospitals access to the HEICS doctrine in an easy to use format and provided resources at their fingertips. All participants felt this was a great event and are anticipating the next hospital preparedness exercise in this area.”

About DGI Since 1987, DGI has assisted federal, state and local government agencies in preparation for and response to incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats.  DGI’s CoBRA® solutions are deployed to over 2,000 first responders nationwide, including fire, EMS, law enforcement and bomb squad personnel. For more information on CoBRA® and DGI, visit www.defensegroupinc.com/cobra.

Melanie Wood Director of Marketing Defense Group Inc. 2034 Eisenhower Ave. Suite #115 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 706-4126 www.defensegroupinc.com/cobra