2003 Hazmat Challenge features Chem/Bio weapons response

Contact: Kevin Roark, knroark@lanl.gov, (505) 665-0582 (03-108)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Aug. 18, 2003 -- The largest field of contestants, including for the first time teams from outside New Mexico, and an action-packed schedule of events highlight the 2003 New Mexico State Hazmat Challenge, Aug. 19 through 22 at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Included in this year's technical events are a biological incident response scenario and a chemical identification exercise. Other hazmat response scenarios in this year's competition include complex valve leak, confined space procedure, compressed liquefied gas leak, overturned gasoline tanker and railcar procedure, and damming and diking a hazardous material "gusher." The events close with some fun contests, including a pie-eating competition and the ever-popular obstacle course—where teams wearing full hazmat protective gear race the clock and each other through a creative and fun-filled course.

New Mexico teams expected to participate include Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Intel, New Mexico State Police, NASA White Sands Test Facility, and the fire department hazmat teams from Santa Fe, Hobbs, Farmington and Gallup. As many as 16 teams are expected, including groups from Oklahoma, sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Southwest Center for Public Heath Preparedness. Personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency—Region Six, and the U.S. Department of Transportation are expected to assist in conducting the competition.

The technical events will take place at the Technical Area 49 Hazmat Training Facility, on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20-21 and for the first time events will run concurrently, with eight events taking place simultaneously. "It should be quite a spectacle," said Los Alamos' Hazmat Team Leader Fred Bolton. "Those two days will be action-packed." The obstacle course competition will take place on Friday, Aug. 22 and will be followed by the awards ceremony.

The Intel Fab 11X team was last year's overall winner.

Members of the media are welcome to cover the events. For more information contact Kevin Roark at 505-665-9202.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos develops and applies science and technology to ensure the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent; reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction, proliferation and terrorism; and solve national problems in defense, energy, environment and infrastructure.

Additional news releases from the Security and Safeguards (S) Division