FDNY Members Participate in 15th Anniversary of BIOPOD Exercise at FDNY Headquarters

October 4, 2018

On Thursday, October 4th, FDNY members participated in the annual BIOPOD exercise at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn.

The BIOPOD exercise is an annual event that has been administered for the past 15 years. The exercise is part of FDNY’s bio-terrorism preparedness planning, providing a simulated scenario in case of a biological threat. In addition to the preparedness training that the drill provides, FDNY personnel are also given the option to receive the flu shot to protect themselves, their families, and the public against the influenza virus.

In addition to the BIOPOD exercise at FDNY HQ, FDNY units will deploy a citywide BIOPOD exercise on Saturday, October 20th. The citywide BIOPOD exercise consists of 13 stationary PODS with an addition of two mobile PODS.

The drill is part of the City’s overall emergency response plan and combines the efforts of FDNY Bureau of Health Services, FDNY Bureau of Fire Operations, EMS Operations, EMS Dispatch, Fire Dispatch and the Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness.

Overall, the BIOPOD would be utilized in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear or explosive incident.

To learn more about the flu vaccine, and how you can protect yourself and others, go to on.nyc.gov/flu.