CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News, July 2, 2010

'Dr Death' loses appeal [Wouter Basson]
"Apartheid -era germ warfare expert Dr Wouter Basson lost a court application yesterday to stop the Health Professions Council of South Africa [HPCSA] prosecuting him for professional misconduct. With the judge ruling against him, Basson is running out of options to stall the HPCSA probe, which could see him struck off the medical roll if he were found guilty. He is practising as a cardiologist in Cape Town. The council is investigating six charges of 'unethical and/or unprofessional conduct pertaining to human rights violations' by Basson, who was not present in court. [...] Known as 'Dr Death' for spearheading the apartheid military's secret biological and chemical weapons project, Basson directed research into deadly poisons and viruses in the 1980s. Basson went on trial in 1999 on 67 charges, including murder and conspiracy to murder, in the Pretoria High Court. He was acquitted in 2002 of these and other criminal charges related to 'Project Coast' amid administrative and technical problems." (Times Live: South Africa; 29Jun10; Claire Keeton) http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article525769.ece/Dr-Death-loses-appeal

Death, life term for biological arms offenders proposed
"The Foreign Office has asked the federal government to enact a law awarding death penalty for those who would use or attempt to use biological weapons in Pakistan or outside, and life imprisonment for those offenders who develop, manufacture, import, export, acquire, possess control or retain a biological weapon inside the country's territories. The offenders under this new proposed law, to be taken by the federal cabinet Wednesday (today), would be tried in a sessions court only upon a complaint in writing made by an officer authorised by the federal government. The provisions of CCPr 1898 shall be applicable for the purpose of trial and other proceedings. The new law is being introduced to meet the international obligations. A draft biological and toxic weapons convention bill will be moved in Parliament following cabinet approval. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has informed the cabinet in his summary that the draft bill will extend to the whole of Pakistan and applies to the citizens of Pakistan and a person in service of Pakistan within and abroad or any Pakistani visiting or working abroad. It will also apply to all those persons suspected to have committed any offence under this act while in the territory of Pakistan or if the offence is committed against Pakistan or a citizen of Pakistan; any foreign national present in territory of Pakistan; any conveyance registered wherever it may be or any conveyance registered anywhere else but present within the territories of Pakistan." (The News: Pakistan; 30Jun10; Rauf Klasra)
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=29757

Adding to the arsenal against bioterrorism [smallpox vaccine study]
"Saint Louis University researchers are exploring a new smallpox vaccine. 'We are currently conducting a smallpox vaccine study to evaluate whether a single high dose of the vaccine works as well as two standard doses given a month apart,' said Dr. Sharon Frey, principal investigator at Saint Louis University's Center for Vaccine Development. [...] 'The government is very concerned about bio terrorism,' said Frey. 'And this is their continuing effort to come up with a vaccine that is easy to give, has a good immune response and not a lot of side effects to protect people should there be an outbreak.' Volunteers for this study are still needed. 'We need up to 20 volunteers to take part in this study here in St. Louis,' said Frey. Researchers at the University of Iowa are also conducting this study." (Columbia Broadcasting System: St. Louis, Mo; 01Jul10; Fred Bodimer)
http://www.kmox.com/Adding-to-the-arsenal-against-bioterrorism/7588045

Army investigators report improved test for plague pathogen
"US Army researchers have reported the development of a rapid and sensitive test for Yersinia pestis, the plague pathogen, that relies on phages (viruses that infect bacteria). The test employs quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to monitor the amplification of two phages that are specific to Y pestis, says the report by investigators at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Md. The use of two phages provides for optimal sensitivity and specificity, and the test detects only live Y pestis cells, yielding results in 4 hours. Existing PCR tests for the pathogen also can yield results in as little as 4 hours, but they require a preliminary step of DNA extraction, and they cannot distinguish between live and dead or dormant Y pestis cells, according to the report, published in PLoS One." (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy ; 30Jun10) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/fs/food-disease/news/jun3010newsscan.html

American Science and Engineering, inc. receives $6.7 million U.S. government order for ZBV military trailers
"American Science and Engineering, Inc. [...], a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today the receipt of a $6.7 million order for multiple ZBV(TM) Military Trailers (ZBV Mil Trailers). AS&E announced the initial funded award in April 2010 valued at $34.0 million. This latest order brings the total funded amount to $40.7 million with a potential value of up to $48.8 million. The ZBV Mil Trailer is a ruggedized version of AS&E's top-selling Z Backscatter(TM) Van (ZBV) system and is ideal for screening vehicles for car and truck bombs. The easily relocatable ZBV Mil Trailer will be deployed by the U.S. government for counterterrorism missions in harsh environments." (Market Watch; 28Jun10) http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-science-and-engineering-inc-receives-67-million-us-government-order-for-zbv-military-trailers-2010-06-28?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Kansas State University launches animal disease center
"An international group of academics gathered at Kansas State University on Monday for the launch of a new research center. The Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases held its kickoff in the K-State Alumni Center. The center's goal is to defend U.S. agricultural systems against bioterrorism and to find solutions to pathogens transferred between humans and animals. 'This is Kansas State University responding to one of the most imminent national threats,' said Tom Thornton, President and CEO, Kansas Bioscience Authority. 'The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, the post 9/11 group that determined imminent terrorist threats, has determined that the most imminent threat to our nation's homeland security is a biological attack.' The center received 12 million dollars from the Department of Homeland Security. Researchers hope the center can provide scientific information in a national emergency." (American Broadcasting Corporation: Topeka, Ks; 28Jun10; Mary Elizabeth Kenefake) http://www.ktka.com/news/2010/jun/28/kansas-state-university-launches-animal-disease-ce/

WSU [Washington State University] school will focus on spread of diseases
"Researchers at Washington State University are working to prevent diseases from moving from animals to humans, and they will soon have a new state-of-the-art facility to help them. The Pullman school broke ground Friday on the $35 million headquarters for its new School for Global Animal Health. The building was funded with a $25 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The rest came from other donors and through state bonds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 75 percent of recently emerging infectious diseases in humans are of animal origin. Among those are anthrax, HIV and mad cow. The WSU school is focusing on the intersection of animals, humans and the environment, mostly in poor countries, with the goal of preventing the next avian flu or swine flu bacteria from developing and eventually spreading. The new building will house some 100 scientists." (Spokesman-Review: Spokane, Wa; 27Jun10; Nicholas K. Geranios) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/27/wsu-school-will-focus-on-spread-of-diseases/

Letter bomber guilty of 11 attempted murders
"An aspiring actor who sent homemade bombs and poisoned water to a host of perceived enemies, including a talent agency owner and a judge, has been convicted of 11 counts of attempted murder. In his ruling Friday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Todd Ducharme rejected Adel Arnaout's claim that he sent the water bottles and explosive devices just to scare his foes and confuse police. 'He is a narcissistic, self-aggrandizing person who has blown the 'wrongs' he has suffered in his own mind completely out of proportion,' Ducharme said. [...] Crown prosecutor James Dunda told the judge that he and co-counsel Joe Hanna are going to consult superiors about applying to have Arnaout declared a dangerous offender -- which would send him to prison indefinitely. Found among his writings were such warnings as: 'We are going to strip the flesh from your bones,' and 'It is time for you to die.' In July 2004, he sent tainted water bottles disguised as 'Nestle Waters' promotional gifts to two talent agencies he felt were not advancing his career sufficiently. The water contained the deadly poison Ricin, the judge ruled Friday. Arnaout also sent the bottles to the CIBC and to Old City Hall provincial court Justice Bernard Kelly, who had given Arnaout a conditional discharge after he pleaded guilty to harassing a talent agency owner." (The Star: Toronto; 25Jun10; Peter Small)
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/828768

Iran seeks identities of nations that sold CW materials to Iraq
"Iran's envoy to the international body that oversees the Chemical Weapons Convention on Tuesday urged the disclosing of the names of Western nations that provided materials that helped Iraq produce chemical warfare agents, Tehran's state-controlled Fars News Agency reported. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons should publicize the names of the alleged 15 nations so the international community can understand their involvement in the chemical weapons attacks launched by the Hussein regime during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, Iranian Ambassador to the Netherlands Kazzem Qaribabadi said at a meeting of the OPCW Executive Council in The Hague. [...] 'The world community should ask for the trial of the U.S. and 14 European countries for selling chemical weapons' to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili said Tuesday in remarks observing the anniversary of an Iraqi chemical strike on Sardasht, a Kurdish city in northwestern Iran." (Global Security Newswire; 02Jul10) http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100702_9708.php

Possible fire temporarily halts chemical weapons destruction at Anniston Depot [AL]
"A possible fire in a piece of machinery brought work in the chemical weapons incinerator at Anniston Army Depot to a temporary halt Thursday. 'No one was hurt, and no munitions or (chemical) agent were involved,' said Army spokesman Mike Abrams. 'The community was never in danger.' Abrams said an air chilling machine overheated around 4 p.m. Thursday, causing workers to implement their fire response plans. Abrams said he did not know whether the overheating caused an actual fire or just smoke or other indications of overheating. The air chilling machine is located in a support room next to the processing building – where warheads containing chemical weapons are dismantled and destroyed. Abrams said the machine was part of a larger system that keeps the processing building at a negative air pressure. The facility needs negative air pressure, Abrams said, to keep even a molecule of air from escaping the building in the event of a chemical weapons accident." (Anniston Star; 01Jul10; Tim Lockette) http://annistonstar.com/view/full_story/8117905/article-Possible-fire-temporarily-halts-chemical-weapons-destruction-at-Anniston-depot?instance=top_center_featured

Russia to miss chemical weapons disposal deadline
"Russia has acknowledged that it would not meet the deadline for complete elimination of its arsenal of chemical warfare materials, the head of the international organization that oversees the Chemical Weapons Convention announced yesterday. For years Moscow has said it would fulfill its obligation under the convention to destroy 40,000 metric tons of chemical agents by April 29, 2012. Observers have questioned whether the nation could stick to that schedule without cutting corners on safety or security. The new anticipated end date for Russian disposal operations is 2015, Rogelio Pfirter, director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, said during this week's meeting of the Hague-based agency's Executive Council. The full text of his address was not made public today, but an OPCW spokesman confirmed the statement on Russia's chemical demilitarization time line. An official with the Russian Embassy in Washington confirmed the need for an extension but said he did not have access to information regarding the specific schedule or the reason for the delay in completing the project. 'We have a good record in destruction of chemical weapons. We are committed to the goals of the convention,' the official told Global Security Newswire. 'We'll try to eliminate our chemical weapons as soon as possible,' he added. The convention originally required all member states to destroy their chemical stockpiles by April 2007, 10 years after the pact entered into force." (Global Security Newswire; 30Jun10; Chris Schneidmiller) http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100630_4072.php

Local emergency response agencies test skills in full-scale disaster exercise [KS]
"Twelve Douglas County emergency response agencies participated in a full-scale disaster exercise Tuesday morning to test the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan. Response teams were evaluated on their ability to coordinate with multiple agencies and manage resources during a major emergency. [...] Among the 12 local agencies were Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, Kansas All-Hazards Behavioral Health Team and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The exercise began with a 911 call from a pretend passer-by at the Youth Sports Complex near Clinton Lake. Fire Medical crews were dispatched to a maintenance facility, which was engulfed in smoke, but they quickly realized they were not dealing with a fire. 'This exercise is based on a hazardous materials scenario,' said Bob Newton, public information officer for Douglas County Emergency Management. 'What we have is a theoretical accident in a maintenance facility. Chemicals used in maintenance operations, pesticides and those kind of things are spilled and combine to produce a hazardous gas.' Volunteer victims simulated physical reactions to the gas and were treated by hazmat crews wearing gas masks and full protective gear. [Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Mark] Bradford said such training was essential for emergency crews who do not deal with this type of emergency on a daily basis." (Lawrence Journal-World; 29Jun10; Cory Smith) http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/29/local-emergency-response-agencies-test-skills-full/?city_local

DHS [Department of Homeland Security] puts teeth behind CFATS [Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards]
"The Department of Homeland Security has begun its first-ever crackdown on chemical companies for failing to conform with chemical security regulations established in 2007, issuing compliance orders to offenders this week. The department is sending 18 chemical companies orders directing them to complete site-security plans for their facilities within 10 days, according to an external DHS communique. The orders are the first step toward enforcement under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), the DHS memo said. Those standards take a risk-based approach to regulating chemical companies, organizing them into tiers according to the potential dangers of the chemical processes. [...] Under the CFATS regulations, companies have to assess their vulnerabilities -- for example, whether their perimeters and computer systems are secure. The highest-risk companies are required to develop site-security plans and take other protective measures. DHS then conducts audits and inspections to ensure compliance. The DHS document said the 18 sites were notified last year that they need to submit site-security plans and had 120 days to complete them. All of the compliance deadlines fell before Feb. 15, and the companies received follow-up warnings, DHS said." (Security Info Watch; 28Jun10; Matt Korade)
http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Executives/1316626

New muon detector could find hidden nukes
"A prototype of a device that could someday detect nukes through layers of steel just passed its first test. The detector, which uses technology that was developed for particle physics experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, can tell the difference among iron, lead and other heavy metals. By detecting the signature of heavy elements that could be used to build nuclear weapons, the new machine could someday find nuclear contraband hidden in shielded vehicles. 'This is the first time that we actually built and operated successfully the equipment to actually do this in real life, rather than in a computer,' said high-energy physicist Marcus Hohlmann of the Florida Institute of Technology, a co-author of the study. The device takes advantage of charged particles called muons, which are created in the atmosphere and zip through every square centimeter of material on Earth -- human bodies and armored trucks alike -- at a rate of one per minute. 'They sort of rain upon us like a light drizzle all the time,' Hohlmann said. Despite their high energies, muons don't interact very strongly with matter. 'They can go through 6 to 8 feet of steel without being stopped,' Hohlmann said. 'That's nice for our application, because what we're trying to do is look into things that are shielded.' But though matter typically doesn't stop muons in their tracks, heavy elements like uranium and metals like lead can deflect the charged particles. By tracking the muons' paths, scientists can construct a 3-D image of whatever material got in their way." (Wired; 01Jul10; Lisa Grossman) http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/07/muon-detector/

Combating nuclear smuggling: DHS [Department of Homeland Security] has made some progress but not yet completed a strategic plan for its global nuclear detection efforts or closed identified gaps [GAO report]
"In April 2005, a Presidential Directive established the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance and coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to combat nuclear smuggling abroad and domestically. DNDO was directed to develop, in coordination with the departments of Defense, Energy, and State, an enhanced global nuclear detection system of radiation detection equipment and interdiction activities. (DNDO refers to this system as an architecture.) DNDO is to implement the domestic portion of the architecture. Federal efforts to combat nuclear smuggling have largely focused on established ports of entry, such as seaports and land border crossings, and DNDO has also been examining nuclear detection strategies along other pathways. Over the past 7 years, GAO has issued numerous recommendations on nuclear or radiological detection to the Secretary of Homeland Security, most recently in January 2009. This testimony discusses the status of DHS efforts to (1) complete the deployment of radiation detection equipment to scan all cargo and conveyances entering the United States at ports of entry, (2) prevent smuggling of nuclear or radiological materials via the critical gaps DNDO identified, and (3) develop a strategic plan for the global nuclear detection architecture. GAO's testimony is based on prior work that was updated by obtaining DHS documents and interviewing DHS officials." (Government Accountability Office; 30Jun10) http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10883t.pdf

UAE moves on illegal nuclear and weapons trade
"Scores of shipments of illegal weapons-building material have been intercepted and companies involved in the illicit nuclear trade shut down in a crackdown in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates. Officials have accepted that the country is being used as a transit point for smuggling both money and illegal goods. The admission follows a drive to crack down on underground trade ties with Iran. In the last week, the authorities have confirmed they have staged raids on dozens of firms regarded as fronts for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Dubai, and frozen 41 Iran-linked bank accounts. At a meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in Abu Dhabi, a senior figure revealed the extent of the trade in weapons and 'dual-use' goods. Hamad al-Kaabi, ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said new laws relating to the trade in nuclear and dual-use goods had 'led to the shutting down of dozens of international and local companies involved in money laundering and proliferation of dual use and dangerous materials'. [...] 'Security forces have interdicted scores of ships suspected of carrying illicit cargo and seized numerous sensitive shipments that could be used for the manufacture of weapons systems, including specialised aluminium sheets, titanium, high-speed computers and sophisticated machine tools.'" (The Telegraph; 01Jul10; Richard Spencer) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7863884/UAE-moves-on-illegal-nuclear-and-weapons-trade.html

Documents show vast cleanup of Plum Island land [NY]
"Government documents obtained by The Associated Press show extensive efforts since 2000 to remove vast amounts of waste and contaminants from Plum Island, site of top-secret Army germ warfare research and decades of studies of dangerous animal diseases. Yet some environmentalists remain concerned about the secrecy surrounding the 840-acre, pork chop-shaped island off northeastern Long Island -- and they're dubious of any claims that pollution has been remedied. [...] The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to sell the island 100 miles east of Manhattan and build a new high-security laboratory in Kansas to study animal diseases. Documents, some obtained by the AP under the Freedom of Information Law, reveal that hundreds of tons of medical waste, contaminated soil and other refuse have been shipped off the island for disposal. Other island sites have been cleaned in compliance with federal regulations, the reports indicate. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined in 2006 that no munitions or ordnance remain from the Army base on Plum Island that once housed as many as 4,000 troops from the Spanish-American War through World War II. And as late as 2007, New York government inspection reports said there is no environmental threat on the island." (Associated Press; 28Jun10; Frank Eltman) http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4byfUvy8h-s-uKqbZKriHwL-a3gD9GJBKK80

Army to cleanse [Commonwealth] Games of dirty explosives
"In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, Delhi is witnessing an unprecedented growth in infrastructure. Simultaneously, the security agencies have upped the ante, so much so that devices and strategies that are yet unheard of in the Indian subcontinent are being developed to ensure that India's big-ticket event remains safe from all quarters. Adding to the comprehensive security arrangements for the games, scheduled to be held in October in the national capital, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is going to train a special unit from the Indian Army to detect and defuse dirty bombs that may be planted by subversive elements. [...] Soldiers from various army units would be handpicked for the special squad who will undergo training under the auspices of Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Sciences (INMAS), a DRDO organisation. [...] Soldiers from various army units would be handpicked for the special squad who will undergo training under the auspices of Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Sciences (INMAS), a DRDO organisation." (Mid Day: India; 02Jul10; Anshuman G. Dutta) http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jul/020710-Indian-Army-Commonwaelth-Games-dirty-explosives.htm

ECBC [Edgewood Chemical Biological Center] helps celebrate completion of mission at PBA [Pine Bluff Arsenal]
"Staff members from the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center's (ECBC) Chemical Biological Application and Risk Reduction Business Unit (CBARR) joined representatives from the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA) in celebrating the successful completion of the mission to destroy all non-stockpile materiel located at Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA), Ark., during a ceremony held in June. CMA's Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Project (NSCMP) began destruction operations at PBA in June 2006. CBARR staff members were instrumental in operating the Pine Bluff Explosive Destruction System (PBEDS), which resulted in the destruction of more than 1,200 munitions, such as 4.2-inch mortars and German Traktor rockets captured during World War II. The successful start of the PBEDS project was made possible after a nearly 18-month effort by ECBC to assemble a crew that would be permanently stationed at PBA to handle the most hazardous operations. With backgrounds such as chemical engineers, chemists, chemical technicians, air monitoring and equipment maintenance, a staff of 34 operators were recruited, interviewed and trained from all over the U.S. including Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Arkansas." (PR Newswire; 01Jul10) http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecbc-helps-celebrate-completion-of-mission-at-pba-97597824.html

Sandia Labs reports first monolithic terahertz solid-state transceiver
"Sandia National Laboratories researchers have taken the first steps toward reducing the size and enhancing the functionality of devices in the terahertz (THz) frequency spectrum. By combining a detector and laser on the same chip to make a compact receiver, the researchers rendered unnecessary the precision alignment of optical components formerly needed to couple the laser to the detector. The new solid-state system puts to use the so-called 'neglected middle child' frequency range between the microwave and infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Terahertz radiation is of interest because some frequencies can be used to 'see through' certain materials. Potentially they could be used in dental or skin cancer imaging to distinguish different tissue types. They also permit improved nondestructive testing of materials during production monitoring. Other frequencies could be used to penetrate clothing, and possibly identify chemical or biological weapons and narcotics. Since the demonstration of semiconductor THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in 2002, it has been apparent that these devices could offer unprecedented advantages in technologies used for security, communications, radar, chemical spectroscopy, radioastronomy and medical diagnostics." (Redorbit; 30Jun10) http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1886724/sandia_labs_reports_first_m
onolithic_terahertz_solidstate_transceiver/

Homeland security bill includes funding for Temple City emergency operations center [CA]
"The city is a step closer to building a new $1.1 million emergency operations center that local and federal officials say would greatly improve disaster management and response. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, announced he secured $375,000 in the 2011 Homeland Security Appropriations bill for use toward the creation of a new Temple City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - a centralized location from which emergency operations can be directed and coordinated. Temple City currently leases the basement of a Los Angeles County Library branch and uses it for an EOC. But the funding will be used to build a much larger, more modernized facility at a city yard. The current EOC is antiquated, lacks adequate space and doesn't have electrical or other support to meet standardized approaches to incident management and response, officials said. [...] A new EOC 'is going to be a big jump for Temple City to effectively and proactively respond to any incidents,' such as major earthquakes or hazardous material accidents, said Bryan Ariizumi, the city's public safety officer. 'It will enhance our emergency command and control of a disaster or an event. It will provide the settings to manage large-scale incidents and events and be able to support staff needed for deployment and operations,' he said." (Pasadena Star-news; 29Jun10; Brenda Gazzar)
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15404223

National Guard conducts training for chemical, biological, radiological rescue team
"Three hundred Soldiers and Airmen from the New York Army [National Guard] and Air National Guard will be training at Camp Smith Training Site to perfect their skills in rescuing victims of a chemical, radiological, or biological attack, decontaminating them, and providing basic medical treatment. Members of the press are invited to view their training and interview the participants. Who: More than 300 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, and the New York Guard, a state only defense force. The Soldiers and Airmen are part of the New York National Guard CERFP, which stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package. The New York CERFP is one of 17 in the nation. What: The Soldiers and airmen will be practicing rescuing victims from the rubble of a destroyed building, and setting up a decontamination line. The training on Tuesday is to prepare for a validation exercise on Thursday, July 1." (Readmedia; 28Jun10)
http://readme.readmedia.com/National-Guard-Conducts-Training-for-Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Rescue-Team/1517965

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.