In May 2003, Operation Winter Sun, a major multi-agency field exercise, was conducted to test New York City's response to a weapons of mass destruction attack.

Staged on a pier at 39th Street and 1st Ave. in Brooklyn, the five-hour, real-time drill was designed and coordinated by OEM in conjunction with Federal, State, local, and private partners. Drill participants included seven hospitals, 700 responders, 17 agencies, 265 "victims," and 125 vehicular units.

During this field exercise, "patients" simulated the ill effects of a chemical, biological, or radiological attack and were treated and decontaminated, as they would be in the aftermath of an actual attack. In addition to the activity that was on going at the site, eight public and private hospitals also participated simultaneous to the event.

The walking wounded — victims well enough to leave the hot zone under their own power — as portrayed by FDNY "probies."	Victims of sarin often experience burning in the eyes, and are here directed by an FDNY responder to link together and follow his voice to a safe area for decontamination.
Gross decontamination, in this case with fire hoses, was performed immediately to remove the chemical agent from the skin.	After decontamination and triage, victims were kept warm while awaiting transport to care facilities.
Rescuers remove a victim from the highly-contaminated area of the original chemical release.	NYPD works with FBI to respond to the threat of a secondary device.
Police enter the area of the initial incident and examine the chemical dispersion device.	Mayor Bloomberg and OEM Commissioner Odermatt brief the press on the operation.