Today in Chicago's Loop they had a Diaster Drill. It consisted of four high rise buildings and their employees.
They had them get out of a building and walk five blocks to a set up tempory shelter.
Their was all kinds of fire trucks police and ambulances.
They closed two exits from the expressway and shut down two el trains.
This was the first one ever done in a big city.
Employees who volunteered thought it was a good idea. See how long it took to get out of the building and they would know what their employers instructions were there to be a terrorists attack fire etc.
Also how long it would take for Police firemen and amblulances to respond.
What are your thoughts?

Was the drill a waste of time?
Or could it save lives if there was anything that might happen?




Edited to help clarify debate questions -J

Here's an article about the drill.

Link



I note that these were volunteers, so I assume that nobody was forced to participate. However, obviously people had their workday commute disrupted by this exercise against their will.

I think it's important to use this kind of thing in order to be as prepared as is reasonably possible for emergencies. It's not a perfect simulation of the real thing, but it's a lot better than nothing.

Seems like a wonderful idea that should be duplicated all over the US. We KNOW that tall buildings were, are and will be targets of terrorists. IMO it is only through and because of our increased vigilance that it hasn’t happened already.

It might be noted here that this kind of drill is not only helpful in the case of terrorism, but in any kind of emergency situation requiring evacuation (fire, chemical spill, and so on.) As frightening as the prospect of terrorism may be, other kinds of emergencies can be just as deadly and are certainly much more common.