The State Assembly Committee on Public Health convened Monday to begin addressing potential biological and chemical terrorist threats with legislation.
In response to events nationwide concerning anthrax, the committee is attempting to assess Wisconsin’s ability to respond to threats of terrorist activity.
“The rules of engagement have changed since Sept. 11,” said committee chairman Frank Urban, R-Brookfield. “Instead of bombs, weapons of bioterrorism are coming to us through the mail,” Urban said. “But the [terrorists’] goal remains to maximize casualties.”
Phyllis Dube, Wisconsin’s secretary of public health and the co-chair of the Governor’s Committee on Domestic Preparedness, appeared before the committee to assess the state’s current situation.
“I would like to state first and foremost that the response system in Wisconsin is working and that there have been no cases of anthrax exposure or infection in the state,” she said.
Ed Gleason is director of the Wisconsin Department of Emergency Management and is another co-chair of the governor’s task force. He testified jointly with Dube in an effort to show the unity that officials say now exists within the state’s emergency response infrastructure .
“To be effective in this effort, the departments of emergency management and health services need to be joined at the hip,” he said. “We have a lot of work yet to do, especially in the area of protective equipment, to meet this threat.”
Currently, the state is awaiting $2.6 million dollars in federal funds that have been appropriated to aid state-level preparedness against biological attack. This funding will be used to purchase new equipment for specialized hazardous material teams ? known as HAZMAT teams ? and local police and fire departments.
The equipment, which will help response teams handle attacks of greater magnitude, varies in simplicity from masks and gloves to fully protective biohazard suits and advanced decontamination agents.
“We’re all in the process of trying to find gaps in the system that need to be addressed,” Dube said.
Gleason said vulnerability exists throughout the state, and that public health teams are prepared to deal with occurrences anywhere in Wisconsin.
“However, first we need to address the vulnerability of high population areas,” he said.
Currently, there are eight highly specialized HAZMAT teams stationed throughout the state. In addition, 35 counties employ “Level B” response teams capable of containing threats until HAZMAT can arrive.
“However, one of the unique challenges we now face is the quantity of possible exposures,” Gleason said. “Obviously, the frequency and severity of threats will affect response times. Often the best response is patience and restraint.”
Dr. Dennis Maki of the Wisconsin Medical Society brought the perspective of a medical professional to the discourse.
“So far the system has worked well,” he said. “But dealing with exposures and dealing with large numbers of sick people are two different things.”
A subtle yet definite feeling of uncertainty pervaded the meeting, as experts, legislators and administrators alike await what may come next.
“Our biggest loophole in preparedness may be sheer numbers of hospitals, physicians and treatments,” Maki said. “And when flu season comes on, it may be difficult for citizens to distinguish between respiratory infection and anthrax inhalation. But the best way to allay anxiety is to convince our citizens that we are actively preparing.”
