NetworkWorld reports that University of California, San Diego researchers last week tested networking technologies designed to respond to a terrorist attack, in a drill called Operation College Freedom.

"This full-scale exercise is the culmination of a three-year, $4 million research project carried out by the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology," said Calit2 associate director Leslie Lenert, M.D., a professor of medicine at UCSD and Director of Health Services Research for the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Technologies deployed included CalMesh, an ad-hoc network of small, lightweight and easily deployable access points which create a Wi-Fi 'bubble' at the scene; iTag, an electronic tag which keeps track of a patient's medical status; and modified medical record PDAs that allow first responders to enter data from physical exams and treatments in the field.

"We will be analyzing the data, and very soon will be able to make some real conclusions about the effectiveness of the technologies," Lenert said.

The UCSD press release is here, and a press release from Calit2 is here.