CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- January 11, 2008

Facility seeks new anthrax vaccine
“If a large-scale anthrax attack strikes a big U.S. city a decade from now, citizens could be protected because of the work of a local [Newark, Delaware] nonprofit to develop a plant-based vaccine. The Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology is the only facility in the United States using plants that have not been genetically modified to make vaccines to protect people from agents [sic] such as anthrax or the plague. The scientific nonprofit, in Newark's Delaware Technology Park, is trying to develop the first plant-based vaccine, which would have the advantage of a production time of six to seven weeks. Current vaccine production require[s] six or more months.” (The News Journal, 11Jan08, Hiran Ratnayake) http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/BUSINESS/801110332/1006/NEWS

Marion [County, Florida] health department honored for preparedness
“The Marion County Health Department is well-prepared to protect and help residents if a large-scale disaster strikes, according to a national group. The National Association of County and City Health Officials [NACCHO] gave the health department the ‘Public Health Ready’ recognition, a status similar to an accreditation. The recognition ‘means if something really bad happens, like [pandemic] flu or anthrax, natural or intentional…the county is prepared to address and respond to the event,’ said Donna Brown, senior advisor for public affairs of NACCHO, in Washington, D.C. The county health department is one of 12 Florida health departments to have received this recognition, and one of 151 health departments nationwide.” (Ocala.com, 11Jan08, Naseem D. Miller) http://www.ocala.com/article/20080111/NEWS/801110340/1368/googlesitemapnews

Hospital Launches Landmark Emergency Medicine Project
“Washington Hospital Center took a major step forward today in the federally funded Project ER One initiative as it unveiled innovative technologies and design solutions in its Emergency Department. These advances are meant to improve patient care, and better position the hospital to respond to a mass casualty event in the nation's capital. This marks the first time that many of these ER One concepts, which are designed to improve infection control and increase surge capacity[,] have been used in an emergency care setting. […] ER One, when built, will be a fully scalable, all-risks ready emergency care facility that serves as a hospital emergency department during daily operations and is optimized to handle the medical consequences of acts of terrorism, national disasters, and epidemics. The ER One concept was developed by a team led by Dr. [Mark S.] Smith [chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Washington Hospital Center and director of the ER One Institute] at the Hospital Center back in 1999. The vision for building the facility took on greater urgency following the events of 9/11 and the anthrax attacks of 2001.”
(Earthtimes.org, 10Jan08, Washington Hospital Center) http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,254116.shtml

Water Problem May Delay Bioterrorism Lab Opening
“After spending five years and $5 million, Allegheny County [Pennsylvania] completed its Bioterrorism Lab in Lawrenceville about a month ago. But officials say that a water problem may delay the building's opening for several more months. The department says they can't get a city occupancy permit because the building doesn't have enough water pressure.”
(KDKA.com, 10Jan08)
http://kdka.com/local/Bioterrorism.lab.Lawrenceville.2.627199.html

Low pay hurts health department, report says
“In the next five years, the Allegheny County [Pennsylvania] Health Department expects more than half its staff to retire and is struggling to find replacements because it doesn't offer competitive salaries, according to a report presented at Wednesday's Board of Health meeting. Unless it attracts and retains qualified employees, the Health Department cannot maintain its services and will be ill-prepared for a public health emergency, said Dr. Bruce Dixon, director.” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 10Jan08, Allison M. Heinrichs) http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_546758.html

International Unit is Underappreciated Tool in Fight Against Bio-Terror
“During the past year, the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), established by the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in December 2006, has provided essential support for international efforts to prevent biological terrorism. Unlike the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the BTWC lacks the large institutional structure to help administer convention-related activities as well as monitor and enforce compliance with its provisions. The three-person ISU, which started work in April 2007 and became fully operational in August 2007, attempts to help fill that gap from its office at the Geneva branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). The ISU, like the meetings it supports and other BTWC activities, is funded by the state parties to the convention.” (World Politics Review, 11Jan08, Richard Weitz)
http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=1494

Senator praises measure letting states toughen chemical laws
“The federal government won't override New Jersey's chemical security laws, which are tougher than the national standard, thanks to a provision pushed by Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Lautenberg was in Jersey City with state Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson and other officials to trumpet the federal government's hands-off provision, which was signed recently by President Bush. […] The American Chemistry Council, which represents the largest producers of chemicals, strongly opposed the Lautenberg language, which was included in the Homeland Security appropriations bill.” (NorthJersey.com, 11Jan08) http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/13699642.html

MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology] gas sensor is tiny, quick
“Engineers at MIT are developing a tiny sensor that could be used to detect minute quantities of hazardous gases, including toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents, much more quickly than current devices. The researchers have taken the common techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and shrunk them to fit in a device the size of a computer mouse. Eventually, the team, led by MIT Professor Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande, plans to build a detector about the size of a matchbox.” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 10Jan08, Anne Trafton) http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/micro-analyzer-0110.html

Spy case still makes waves in Israel
“On buses and billboards across Jerusalem, a poster depicts three men not commonly associated with each other - US President George Bush, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. But what does George Bush have in common with two men he must regard as arch enemies? The tagline of the poster makes it clear - Bush, free YOUR captive! Hamas has been holding an Israeli soldier captive in Gaza since 2006, while Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers. The ‘captive’ that Mr Bush is being asked to set free is Jonathan Pollard. The case of Pollard, a US Navy intelligence analyst who gave classified material to Israel, is a sore point in otherwise excellent relations between Israel and the US. […] The documents that Pollard leaked have never been made public for intelligence reasons. But they were said to include information on Soviet arm shipments to Syria, Iraqi and Syrian chemical weapons, the Pakistani atomic bomb and Libyan air defences, according to the author and journalist Wolf Blitzer in his book Territory of Lies.” (BBC News, 11Jan08, Martin Patience) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7181277.stm

2005 Use of Gas by Blackwater Leaves Questions
“The helicopter was hovering over a Baghdad checkpoint into the Green Zone, one typically crowded with cars, Iraqi civilians and United States military personnel. Suddenly, on that May day in 2005, the copter dropped CS gas, a riot-control substance the American military in Iraq can use only under the strictest conditions and with the approval of top military commanders. An armored vehicle on the ground also released the gas, temporarily blinding drivers, passers-by and at least 10 American soldiers operating the checkpoint. […] Anne Tyrrell, a spokeswoman for Blackwater, said the CS gas had been released by mistake. […] Blackwater says it was permitted to carry CS gas under its contract at the time with the State Department. According to a State Department official, the contract did not specifically authorize Blackwater personnel to carry or use CS, but it did not prohibit it.” (New York Times, 10Jan08, James Risen) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/world/middleeast/10blackwater.html?hp

Kyrgyzstan: Authorities Seize Radioactive Material Bound For Iran
“If the world needed reminding of the ongoing threat posed by nuclear materials left unsecured and scattered across the former Soviet Union, it's got it now. On January 9, Kyrgyz officials announced that they had taken possession of a small load of a radioactive substance discovered aboard a train bound for Iran. The material has been placed in a special area in Kyrgyzstan, but questions are being raised about the nature and quantity of the substance, who was behind its transport, and how the train carrying it crossed three border checkpoints before being detected. While it might simply be a coincidence that the train was bound for Iran, such a destination is also likely to raise eyebrows, given Western concerns over Tehran's nuclear activities and alleged support of terrorism.” (Radio Free Europe, 10Jan08, Bruce Pannier) http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/01/460cd9d5-93ea-424a-a68a-316142bcf3e1.html

Congress May Track Threat Reduction More Closely
“An omnibus federal funding bill that U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law late last month includes provisions intended to allow Congress to more closely monitor progress in nuclear threat reduction efforts. […] Co-sponsored by presidential hopeful Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) in the Senate and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in the House, the legislative measure calls on the White House to issue a report on a ‘comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan.’ The document, to be submitted to Congress in both classified and unclassified forms, is due June 23. The new law includes detailed reporting requirements aimed at providing greater executive branch accountability for reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism.” (Global Security Newswire, 11Jan08, Elaine M. Grossman)
http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_1_11.html#4CC23685

Universal Detection Technology Receives Purchase Order for Ricin Toxin Detection Kits
“Universal Detection Technology [UDTT], a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, announced today that it has received a new purchase order from Security Solutions International (SSI) for UDTT's Ricin Toxin detection kits. SSI plans to showcase the kits at upcoming seminars and conferences where SSI professionals provide counter-terrorism training and education to members of law enforcement and representatives from US Army and various other security and emergency response agencies.” (CNNMoney, 10Jan08, Marketwire) http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0346743.htm

Clean white rooms answer post-9/11 threats
“The antiseptic white rooms of Oregon's new public health and environmental labs are designed to handle crises worthy of a Michael Crichton high-tech thriller. The Oregon Department of Human Services' ‘Biosafety Level 3’ area is sealed tight to analyze biological weapons, such as anthrax, or highly infectious diseases -- SARS, tuberculosis and plague, to name a few. […] Nearby, just off shipping and receiving, the Department of Environmental Quality's ‘all hazard’ room is designed to screen for the unlikely event of the use of biological and chemical weapons. […] The new labs were expensive, built with $35 million the state Legislature approved after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But state officials say they should boost productivity and allow the state to take on more work.” (The Oregonian, 11Jan08, Scott Learn)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/120002370694380.xml&coll=7

Influence of cabin conditions on placement and response of contaminant detection sensors in a commercial aircraft
“Potential causalities due to airborne disease transmission and risk of chem-bio terrorism in commercial airliner cabins can be reduced by fast responses. Fast responses are only possible by using sensors at appropriate locations in the cabins. Cost, size and weight factors restrict the number of sensors that could be installed inside a cabin. Since release locations and seating patterns of passengers can impact airborne contaminant transports, this study first addressed this impact by using a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program in a four-row mockup of twin-aisle airliner cabin. It was observed that occupancy patterns and release locations have little influence on longitudinal contaminant transports though localized variations of contaminant concentrations may exist. The results show that response time of the sensors is considerably reduced with the increase in number of sensors. If only a single sensor is available across a cabin cross-section then it should be placed at the middle of the ceiling. A cabin model of a fully occupied twin-aisle airliner with 210 seats was also build to study the diverse contaminant distribution trends along cabin length. The results reveal that seating arrangements can make cross-sectional airflow pattern considerably asymmetrical. Similar airflow patterns make the longitudinal contaminant transport in the business and economy classes alike. The presence of galleys greatly affected the longitudinal transport of contaminants in a particular cabin section. The effects due to galleys were less significant if a multipoint sampling system was used. The multipoint sampling system can also reduce the number of sensors required in a cabin.” (Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 11Jan08, Sagnik Mazumdar and Qingyan Chen)
http://www.rsc.org/delivery/_ArticleLinking/DisplayHTMLArticleforfree.cfm?JournalCode=EM&Year=2008&ManuscriptID=b713187a&Iss=1

Amaox Battles Bioterrorism [and Chemical Terrorism] with Collaboration Software
“Mustard gas. Phosgene. Chlorine gas. Anthrax. If it's a potential bioterrorist [or chemical terrorist] weapon, chances are that Amaox— a little known biotech company— has a treatment in the works to stop such an outbreak or at least mitigate the effects of an attack before it could kill large numbers of people. Arming itself with cutting-edge visual collaboration software, Amaox is able to share and integrate complex ideas from medical researchers around the country and North America. […] Amaox has received funding from the Department of Defense for its current research programs, and in December its research team applied for an additional $1.5 million grant to investigate chlorine toxicity to see if Amaox technology can be used to treat sufferers of a chlorine gas bomb or accidental spill.” (Baseline, 09Jan08, Doug Bartholomew) http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,2247310,00.asp

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.

CNS presents these keywords and links for the convenience of the recipients of ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News, but CNS does not endorse these sites or the veracity of their information and cannot be responsible for the maintenance of the links listed here. For a searchable archive of the CBR-WMD Terrorism News listserv, please visit the Nuclear Threat Initiative's website, at http://www.nti.org/db/cbw/index.htm

2007 Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition

Presented by:
The U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD)

Hosted by:
DOJ's Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate, and DoD's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs.

This 9TH annual conference provides DOJ, DHS and DoD the opportunity to highlight the technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the emergency responder community and to elicit responder technology requirements. This conference will provide a forum for responders to discuss best practices and exchange information. Expected to draw 1,500 attendees and 150 exhibits, this three-day conference will bring together leadership and decision makers--offering responders, business and industry, academia, and Federal, State, tribal and local stakeholders a unique forum to network, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address critical incident technology and preparedness needs, protocols, and solutions.

Supported by:
FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA)
InterAgency Board for InterOperability and Standardization (IAB)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
Public Safety and Security Institute for Technology (PSITEC)
Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC)
Dates/Location:
November 6-8, 2007,
San Francisco, CA

Venue:
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-3199
P: 415.896.1600
Hotel reservations are available through the conference website.
(gov’t per diem of $168 for ALL attendees while rooms last!)

Attendees:
Attendee registration is FREE for the 9th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition. Attendance is limited to 1,500. Registration is now open - but, filling up quickly - at the conference website.

Exhibitors:
Exhibit space is SOLD OUT!

SESSION TOPICS:(subject to change)
GENERAL SESSIONS:
- The National Bombing Prevention Program
- Lessons Learned in Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
- Transportation Security
- Infrastructure Protection

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
- Food Chain/Water Supply Protection and Defense
- Information Sharing
- Weapons of Mass Destruction: C/B & R/N
- Response and Recovery
- Federal Resources for State and Local Emergency Responders 1: DOJ & DoD
- Federal Resources for State and Local Emergency Responders 2: DHS
- Cyber Forensics: Tools and Resources
- Incident Commander Software Training Demonstration (group instruction!)
- Personal Protective Equipment 1 & 2
- NIMS: The 2008 Forecast
- Fusion Centers
- Communications Interoperability 1 & 2
- Disaster Management (DM) Demonstration
- The SAFETY Act (special session for vendors!)
- Integrating Private Security
- Simulation and Training
- School Safety and Security
- The Advanced Use of Force Training System (hands-on trials!)

For more info.: mcook@ctc.org

Acro to Supply 300 Peroxide Explosive Testers (ACRO-P.E.T.) to US Army

August 1, 2007 – Acro, Inc. (OTC BB:ACRI), a developer of explosive detection solutions, today announced that it has received a first order from the US Army for 300 of its ACRO-P.E.T. peroxide explosive testers. The order was received by Quality Performance, Inc., an Acro distributor in the United States.

Acro's revolutionary patented peroxide explosive tester – ACRO-P.E.T. – is an innovative, pen-like tester that can identify peroxide-based explosives, such as Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which may appear in a variety of shapes and forms, including liquid explosives. Peroxide-based explosives are almost impossible to identify, since they do not contain nitro groups and are colorless.

Improvised explosive devices based on materials containing peroxide have increasingly been used in recent years by various terrorist organizations. The main reason is that such peroxide-based explosives can be easily “home-made” using inexpensive, readily available starting materials that can be purchased in most hardware and paint stores, even in bulk quantities.

"We are excited to receive this order, which is a major milestone for Acro," said Acro Chairman and CEO Gadi Aner. "ACRO-P.E.T. is a critical tool in the never-ending battle against terror. When every second counts, fast-acting ACRO-P.E.T. can provide life-saving protection against malicious terrorist attempts."

ACRO-P.E.T. has been designed for rapid, on-site detection of peroxide-based explosives using three chemical solutions, through direct contact with the suspicious substance. Its main advantages include high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, simple operation, small size and cost effectiveness. For example, ACRO-P.E.T. can detect less than 50 micrograms (0.00005 gram) of TATP.

About Acro, Inc.
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies. The company has developed a unique patented technology for identifying peroxide-based explosives, such as TATP. Acro’s Advisory Board includes Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, considered one of the world’s most influential scientific institutes. For more information about Acro, visit www.acrosec.com.

Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, our ability to successfully market and sell our "TATP" Explosive Tester product worldwide, and the ability to successfully demonstrate to governmental national security agencies and national police forces solutions, and additional orders from the U.S. Military, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.

2007 Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition

REGISTRATION AND EXHIBIT BOOTH SALES NOW OPEN!

Presented by:
The U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD)

Hosted by:
DOJ's Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate, and DoD's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs.

This 9TH annual conference provides DOJ, DHS and DoD the opportunity to highlight the technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the emergency responder community and to elicit responder technology requirements. This conference will provide a forum for responders to discuss best practices and exchange information. Expected to draw 1,500 attendees and 150 exhibits, this three-day conference will bring together key leaders and decision makers--offering responders, business and industry, academia, and Federal, State, tribal and local stakeholders a unique forum to network, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address critical incident technology and preparedness needs, protocols, and solutions.

Supported by:
FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA)
InterAgency Board for InterOperability and Standardization (IAB)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
Public Safety and Security Institute for Technology (PSITEC)
Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC)

Dates/Location:
November 6-8, 2007,
San Francisco, CA

Venue:
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-3199
P: 415.896.1600
Hotel reservations are available through the conference website. Federal per diem (currently $140/night; subject to change 10/01/07) is available for all attendees, space permitting.

Attendees:
Attendee registration is FREE for the 9th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition. Attendance is limited to 1,500. Registration is now open at the conference website.

Exhibitors:
Exhibit booths will be sold by the Marriott and managed by CTC. Booth pricing: $1,800 for Federal government/non-profit/ academia and $2,050 for private sector/industry/ other; booths are sold on a first-come basis. The exhibit hall will accommodate 96 10’ x 10’ booths. Secure your booth now at the conference website!

PLEASE CHECK THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE FOR THE DRAFT DAILY AGENDA, DRAFT TOPICS/SESSIONS, AND MORE INFORMATION!

For more info.: mcook@ctc.org

Law Enforcement Technology and Training

2007 Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition

Presented by:
The U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD)

Hosted by:
DOJ's Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate, and DoD's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs.

This 9TH annual conference provides DOJ, DHS and DoD the opportunity to highlight the technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the emergency responder community and to elicit responder technology requirements. This conference will provide a forum for responders to discuss best practices and exchange information. Expected to draw 1,500 attendees and 150 exhibits, this three-day conference will bring together key leaders and decision makers--offering responders, business and industry, academia, and Federal, State, tribal and local stakeholders a unique forum to network, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address critical incident technology and preparedness needs, protocols, and solutions.

Supported by:
FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA)
InterAgency Board for InterOperability and Standardization (IAB)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
Public Safety and Security Institute for Technology (PSITEC)
Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC)

Dates/Location:
November 6-8, 2007,
San Francisco, CA

Venue:
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-3199
P: 415.896.1600
Group reservations available in early June at www.ctc.org. The Federal per diem (currently $140/night*) will be available for all attendees, space permitting. Please check back at this website for a link to Marriott reservations in early June.
* subject to change on 10/01/07

Attendees:
Attendee registration is FREE for the 9th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition. Attendance is limited to 1,500. Registration available in early June at www.ctc.org. Please check back!

Exhibitors:
Exhibit booths will be sold by the Marriott and managed by CTC, with booth sales opening in early June. Booth pricing: $1,800 for Federal government/non-profit/academia and $2,050 for private sector/industry/other; booths will be sold on a first-come basis. The exhibit hall will accommodate 96 booths; all booths will be 10'x 10'. Advance sales or reservations will not be accepted. Please check back at www.ctc.org in early June for booth sales and additional information.

DRAFT Daily Agenda (subject to change):
Monday, 11/05/07
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Conference Registration Open
Tuesday, 11/06/07
7:00am - 5:00pm
Conference Registration Open
7:30am - 5:00pm
Federal Demonstration Area Open
8:30am - 11:00am
Opening/Keynote/General Session
11:00am - 1:00pm
Federal Demonstration viewing/Lunch (on your own)
1:00pm - 2:30pm
5 Concurrent Breakout Sessions
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Break
3:30pm - 5:00pm
5 Concurrent Breakout Sessions
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Exhibit Hall Opening Reception (hosted by Marriott)
Wednesday, 11/07/07
8:00am - 9:00am
Continental Breakfast
8:00am - 5:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open (except during lunch)
9:00am - 11:00am
Keynote/General Session
8:00am - 3:30pm
Federal Demonstration Area Open (except during lunch)
11:00am - 12:30pm
Break/Exhibit & Federal Demonstration viewing
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Lunch/Keynote
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Break/Exhibit & Federal Demonstration viewing
3:30pm - 5:00pm
5 Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Thursday, 11/08/07
7:30am - 8:30am
Continental Breakfast
7:30am - 3:30pm
Exhibit Hall Open
8:30am - 10:30am
General Session/Keynote
10:30am - 1:00pm
Exhibit & Federal Demonstration viewing/Lunch (on your own)
1:00pm - 3:00pm
5 Concurrent Breakout Sessions

DRAFT Session Topics (subject to change):
Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Securing our Borders
Lessons Learned in Preparedness/Response to Natural Disasters
Food Chain Safety and Security
Information and Intelligence Sharing
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Special Operations
Federal Resources for State and Local Emergency Responders
Cyber Security Tools and Resources
Response and Recovery
Incident Commander Software Training Demonstration
Personal Protective Equipment
Transportation Security
Communications Interoperability
SAFETY Act
Simulation and Training
School Security
DoD's Role in Supporting Homeland Security
Critical Infrastructure Protection

Speakers:
Speaker applications will be available in early June and accepted until August 15th. Please check back at www.ctc.org in early June for more information and to download the speaker application. Early submissions will not be accepted.

For more info.: mcook@ctc.org

Article sponsored by police officers who have written books on law enforcement jobs; as well as those involved in writing on leadership.

NOPD, IRA, IAD

Editors Note: The book by Bill Heard is about the war on terror against the IRA.

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three authors who have written on the separate subjects of the New Orleans Police Department, the Irish Republican Army and government corruption.

Lieutenant Don Brewer retired from the New Orleans Police Department in 1993. St Charles Nights is a fictional work based on his twenty-three years of experience, which included such assignments as Deputy Commander Internal Affairs, Deputy Commander of the Second and Seventh Police Districts, Traffic Fatality Commander and Commander of the New Orleans Police Academy. His final tour, prior to retirement, by choice, was the Sixth Police District, which is the actual inspiration for his book, St. Charles Nights.

James Wong spent over thirty years in law enforcement. He retired from the Louisiana State Police as a sergeant. While with the state police, he served as the in their intelligence division, criminal investigations division, as well as their uniform division.

After leaving the state police, he joined the U.S. Customs Service, where he worked in the areas of money laundering, narcotics and arms trafficking, as well as child pornography. He has held management positions at the first line and senior management. In 1999 he was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, where he remained until the merger of the Customs Service into the Department of Homeland Security. There the Internal Affairs Division morphed into the Office of Professional Responsibility.

James Wong’s book, Corporate and Government Corruption, “defines the aspects of corporate and government corruption. The elements, motives, and causes, as well as the role of the investigator will be presented. Ethical issues and corporate considerations will be examined. Case studies from a civil, criminal and internal perspective are reviewed.”

Born into an English family with a military heritage dating back to the Boer War, Bill Heard was almost destined to pursue a military career. Resisting at first, a combination of the worst economic depression in recent English history and a sense of true Churchillian patriotism, quickly found him fighting a vicious terrorist war in the claustrophobic streets and alleys of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Years later, after immigrating to the United States first joining the US Army, then the Los Angeles Police Department, he found himself in yet two more armed conflicts.

His novel, Bravo November 283, is the first in a series of books and is about the struggle against global terrorism as seen through the eyes of someone who fought it from the trenches. The Book description says, “Long before Osama bin Laden gave terrorists all over the world a bad name, the Provisional Irish Republican Army was laying the foundation for what would be the future of many global insurgencies.

The almost thirty-year terrorist conflict in Northern Ireland, aptly called the troubles, was a brutal war that brought the province to the edge of a civil war. Readers will come to understand the longstanding animosity between the British government and Irish Republicans, yet will have to make their own minds up as to whether the terrorists ends justified the means. This novel is a ten-year personal account of one man fight against terror.”

Bill Heard is currently working on his second novel, 7 Zebra 7, in which he writes about his career with the LAPD. Bill was also added to the listing of authors at LAPDAuthors.com.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 315 police officers (representing 135 police departments) and their 736 books in six categorys, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.