UB, in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies, will conduct a full-scale exercise designed to ensure coordinated, timely and effective response and recovery in the event of a biosafety emergency.

The exercise will take place from 8-11 a.m. Oct. 4, on the South Campus and will be separated into two interconnected parts: live action, followed by a tabletop scenario.

The live-action portion of the exercise will take place in the Biomedical Research Building and involve responses by UB Police; Environment, Health and Safety personnel; and UB Emergency Management. The tabletop segment of the exercise also will take place in the Biomedical Education Building.

“The purpose of this exercise is to enhance biosafety preparedness, response and recovery at the University at Buffalo,” says David R. Pawlowski, biosafety officer for Environment, Health and Safety and research assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

“It will also test the communications, coordination and collaboration among internal and external departments.”

Among the key goals of the exercise, Pawlowski says, are demonstrating the ability to implement an Incident Command System and staff the UB Campus Emergency Operations Center.

Additional exercise participants include University Communications, the FBI, American Medical Response, Erie County Department of Health and Calspan-University at Buffalo Research Center.

The exercise is closed to the campus community and the general public.