[NOTE: I haven't changed a word of this release. I'm just passing it along. To get the full impact, you must read it all.]
THE BALTIMORE
RAVENS NEED YOUR HELP
August 2, 2008 9:00am - 2:00pm
We need fans of the Baltimore Ravens to participate as actors/victims in a full-scale emergency management exercise to help us review the essential elements of emergency preparedness and response at M&T Bank Stadium. The day-long event will start at 9:00 am on August 2, 2008 and end at approximately 2:00pm. The Baltimore Ravens, the City of Baltimore, and the State of Maryland are testing response procedures at M&T Bank Stadium, which will serve as a hypothetical site under "attack". Representatives of "first responders" - police, fire, volunteer agencies, stadium officials, and others - will be actively playing in dealing with this type of emergency.
This exercise is important to the safety of the Baltimore Ravens fans and players as the exercise capitalizes, reinforces, and provides feedback to the First Responder Community. It will also help us to develop, sustain, and provide feedback of emergency response operations as this is a great learning opportunity for the responders to examine the unique aspects of responding to a terrorist incident at our stadium.
*** Free parking will be available in lot B and free food, non-alcoholic beverages and entertainment will be provided to you throughout the day as well as a Raffle Drawing for Prizes. All volunteers will be issued a raffle ticket making them eligible to win great Ravens items plus one large flat screen TV will be raffled off at the conclusion of the exercise. ****
If you are interested in helping your favorite team, please contact Steve Carlson at 410-230-8021 or Mike Oberst at 410-230-8022.
FAQ's for VOLUNTEERS of Operation Purple Haze
Why is the exercise being conducted?
The purpose of this exercise is to improve the operational response of emergency personnel at M&T Bank Stadium.
What will happen in the exercise?
A "mock" Improvised Explosive Device (IED) will detonate inside the stadium, releasing "mock" radiological particles. Test volunteers will be positioned at locations inside the stadium, typical of normal game-day situations. Post-release, volunteers will be evacuated from the stadium and approximately 1/3 of those evacuated will need to undergo decontamination. Test volunteers will undergo surface sampling to evaluate their exposure, followed by water-based decontamination protocols, post-decontamination, volunteers will undergo another round of surface sampling to evaluate removal of the particulate tracer and then given re-dress clothing.
Who will benefit from this exercise?
The data obtained in this exercise will guide the future operational response by Federal, State, local government, and stadium partners to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster in M&T Bank Stadium as well as give extensive training to the Hazardous Material teams comprising of the Baltimore area. Effective response will improve medical treatments, reduce decontamination costs and speed the recovery to operations of affected facilities.
Why have I been asked to participate?
You have been asked to participate in this exercise because your important to this process. As a fan and as a "mock" victim, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback to enhance the Stadium response to its fans while also helping the first response community response tactics.
What am I asked to do?
If you volunteer to participate, we ask you to do the following things:
****Arrive at M&T Bank Stadium with a swimsuit under your street clothing. Also bring a complete change of clothes, including shoes and flip flops, in a plastic bag, clearly marked with your name on the outside of the bag.****
When you arrive at lot B, you will be directed to register at Gate A and an exercise controller will be there to assist with further steps. These steps will involve an actor briefing and at this time you will be given a choice to be a victim, get moulaged, or if you wish, you can get decontaminated.
After the IED "explodes", you will be asked to follow the directives of Stadium Personnel, First Responders, and/or Exercise Controllers.
The total duration of your participation is expected to be no greater than 4 hours.
Is it safe to participate?
Yes. At no time will you be in any danger. Those volunteers who are being decontaminated, are needed to evaluate the efficiency of multiple personnel decontamination methods. The decon shower will be a cold water high-volume shower. A comfort station will be provided to you with light food service.
What if something unexpected happens?
Your participation will be monitored by on-site medical personnel, who will oversee the decon process and intervene in case of medical distress. In the unlikely event of physical injury resulting from participation you will receive the required medical treatment.
Will I be paid for participating?
No. Test participants will not receive financial compensation for participating.
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Baltimore Ravens, and the State of Maryland, we thank you for volunteering to be an actor for our exercise.
General Scenario:
You will be participating as a mock victim of a terrorist attack. You will be triaged and if directed by the first responders, decontamination will occur. It will include your being washed and then re-clothed. Please wear a bathing suit, shorts and T-shirt or other outfit under your clothing and bring a change of clothes and towel. We would appreciate your wearing loose fitting, easily removable shoes. It is recommended that jewelry not be worn. Jewelry and personal items will be removed during the decontamination process, bagged and given to you to carry as you go through the decontamination line.
Before the event, you will be given a complete orientation to the incident site, the type of injury or symptoms you should simulate and what actions are expected of you. Please bring sunscreen, eat a meal and drink plenty of liquids before you come. After the event, liquids and food will be available to you. Restrooms will also be available for your convenience.
[Final NOTE: As for me, I'd rather listen to the Jimi Hendricks' version of Purple Haze than participate in this one.]
Amazon Reviewer, Jeff Shannon says, "Men of Honor presents a great role model for younger viewers, yet it's rated R due to abundant use of the F word. With appropriate discretion, parents should allow their preteen and teenage children to see this rousing if altogether conventional biopic inspired by the life of Carl Brashear. Played with gravity and gumption by Cuba Gooding Jr., Brashear was the first African American to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, despite the lingering effects of segregation, opposition from Navy brass, and the amputation of his left leg following a tragic on-duty accident. Robert De Niro adds marquee value and salty bluster as Billy Sunday, the drunken, redneck (and fictionalized) Master Chief who watches, with gradual admiration, as Brashear attains his ultimate goal through sheer force of will. 
It's odd that such a face-to-face happened in the first place. Odder still was that the cat & bug stare-down went on for nearly 20-minutes. Hence, my having time to get the camera.
