Welcome to Skagit County

March 4th, 2005

SKAGIT COUNTY HOMELAND SECURITY EXERCISE

MOUNT VERNON - The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management will conduct a Homeland Security field exercise on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at March’s Point in the vicinity of Anacortes. This all-day exercise, called “North Texas,” is a drill to train emergency responders from Skagit County Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS agencies, as well as Hazmat/Bomb responders from Whatcom County to collectively and effectively respond to terrorist incidents. This is not a “live-fire” exercise, and no weapon simulators will be used.

Participants in the exercise include the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, including SWAT, the Anacortes Police Department, the Mount Vernon Police Tactical Operations Unit, National Parks Law Enforcement, negotiators from several police departments, Fire District 13, Skagit EMS, to include Central Valley Ambulance, Skagit 911, the Skagit County Communications Officer, Dike District 12, Civil Air Patrol, the Anacortes Red Cross and the Whatcom County Hazardous Material Team and Bomb Squad. Altogether, over 100 individuals will participate.