Friday, October 10, 2008

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- October 10, 2008

Texas offering $100 million in incentives to gain bio-agro defense facility [National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility]
“Gov. Rick Perry has joined with San Antonio
leaders in a unified effort to help sell the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the merits of placing its planned National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in the Alamo City. Texas is committing more than $100 million to the effort, including $56 million that the governor and other top state officials have pledged to secure through the legislative appropriations process in the upcoming session. […] Perry says that if Texas lands the NBAF project, it would raise the reputation of the state — and especially San Antonio — as a major scientific research center. Supporters say that over a 10-year period, the NBAF facility would attract an estimated 2,000 new direct and indirect jobs to the San Antonio area.” (San Antonio Business Journal; 09Oct08; W. Scott Bailey) http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/10/06/daily34.html

Utility workers, truckers, communications workers vital in pandemic
“If a flu pandemic hits, utility workers, truck drivers and communication personnel will be as valuable in the ensuing crisis as nurses will be and should get top priority when it comes to receiving medical care, according to a new study. Conventional thinking is that nurses, paramedics,
firefighter, and those most at risk for contracting the illness should get first crack at vaccines and other treatment. But other workers are just as crucial in helping society weather a pandemic and deserve first crack at treatment, said Nancy Kass, deputy director of public health at the Berman Institute of Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University […].” (HR Reporter; 08Oct08)
http://www.hrreporter.com/loginarea/members/viewing.asp?ArticleNo=6408

U.S. Government Issues Declaration Covering Emergent BioSolutions'
BioThrax(R) and Anthrax Immune Globulin under Prep Act “Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced today that two medical countermeasures included in its anthrax franchise -- BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) and Anthrax Immune Globulin (AIG) -- have been included as covered countermeasures under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) pursuant to a declaration issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). […] This HHS [department of Health & Human Services] declaration under the PREP Act provides liability protections to activities related to developing, manufacturing, distributing, prescribing, dispensing, administering and using both of the company's anthrax medical countermeasures in preparation for, and in response to, a potential anthrax attack.” (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News; 09Oct08)
http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=43244451

Nigeria: FG [Federal Government] Approves Maintenance Contract for National Hospital [along with domestication of the Convention on Biological Weapons]
“A 3.075 million euros contract for the rehabilitation of the National Hospital, Abuja, was yesterday awarded by the Federal Government. […] The government also approved a bill for the domestication of the Convention on Biological Weapons, Nigeria being a signatory to the convention. The draft Biological and Toxic Weapons Crimes Bill 2008 would make it possible for the country to benefit from its membership of the Convention as it could engender international assistance in case of threat or actual biological weapons attacks, [Minister of Information and Communication, Mr John] Odey said.” (All Africa; 09Oct08; Abdulfattah Olajide; source: Daily Trust) http://allafrica.com/stories/200810090235.html

[Pueblo chemical] Depot funding [Colorado]
“Pueblo Chemical Depot is to receive $147 million to continue chemical demilitarization work under the 2009 continuing budget resolution signed last week by President Bush. […] Perhaps even more important is the 2009 Defense Authorization Act, which gives the Pentagon legal authority to spend its budget. That now awaits the president's signature in order to lift spending limits that previously have had the unusual effect of the Pueblo Depot having money allocated but without the necessary congressional authority to spend it all. Pueblo Chemical Depot has been beset by seemingly endless delays in getting the money necessary to move full speed ahead with the job of neutralizing and destroying stores of mustard agent.” (Pueblo Chieftain; 09Oct08) http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/10/09/editorial/doc48ed647f97359558304184.txt

firefighter train for disaster [Milford, Massachusetts]
“Just outside Milford Regional Medical Center, men covered from head to toe in protective suits, gloves, rubber boots and breathing apparatus had already decontaminated several victims of a mock terrorist attack when Fire. Lt. Patrick Salmon got a message over his walkie-talkie. […] As several of the 12
firefighter on hand pulled out a hot water heater and tents from the MDU van, Salmon explained the three-tent system contains separate areas: dirty, washing, and clean sections. Milford Emergency Management Agency staged the exercise at Milford Regional, but pretended the terrorist attack occurred in Franklin, Salmon said, because the commuter rail stops there.” (Milford Daily News; 08Oct08; Joyce Kelly) http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1947074721/Firefighters-train-for-disaster

The Biodefense Program in the Department of Public & International Affairs at George Mason University presents an evening with Major General Stephen V. Reeves, Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical & Biological Defense, Department of Defense

"The Future of Chemical & Biological Defense"

Thursday, October 23rd
5:30pm-7:00pm
Mason Hall D3 A&B
Fairfax Campus
George Mason University

Please consult the following Website for directions and a map to GMU's Fairfax campus: http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html

CNS ChemBio-WMD
Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism

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