CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard in conjunction with several partner agencies is participating in a disease response exercise Tuesday at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Charleston.
The purpose of the exercise is to practice and evaluate communication procedures, integration of federal, state, local and private industry partners, as well as analyze response concepts and capabilities when posed with the threat of a person suspected of infection with a serious contagion aboard a vessel calling the Port of Charleston.
The exercise scenario involves a container ship from Sierra Leone with two crewmembers reported to have flu-like symptoms, wherein the ship’s captain requests medical assistance.
“This exercise offers us the unique opportunity to sharpen our skills alongside our partners, and enhance joint preparedness,” said Lt. J.B. Zorn, the public affairs officer for Coast Guard Sector Charleston. “Our hope is to identify best practices, explore emergent properties inherent in any multi-agency response and analyze areas which could use improvement.”
Partner agencies involved in the exercise include the Centers for Disease Control, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Medical University of South Carolina.
