Nearly one year after the Sept. 11 attacks, many concerns abound regarding the vulnerability of the nation and what, if any, precautions are being taken against further attacks.
Last year, the Special Committee on the Public Health System’s Response to Bioterrorism was created to help address safety concerns in Wisconsin. The group held their first meeting Wednesday to address the potential threat of bioterrorism.
“Hopefully the committee can ensure the public that we are ready, all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed,” committee co-chair Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said.
Committee members said their focus is on rebuilding and strengthening the public health system’s infrastructure to prepare the state for any possible future attacks.
Michael Sage, Deputy Director of the Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Response, a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlined the CDC’s strategic plan.
The CDC’s plan, a response to threats of biological and chemical terrorism, emphasized five key areas: preparedness and prevention, detection and surveillance, diagnosis and characterization of biological and chemical agents, response and communication. The plan details a combined effort from both local and state agencies.
Sage said implementing the plan would require collaboration among numerous public agencies and would include early detection from primary health-care providers and expertise from public health officials.
“We need to think like firefighters and emergency personnel,” Sage said.
After Sept. 11, one-third of Congress’ $3 billion budget was designated for state and local preparedness against terrorism. Out of $1 million, the state of Wisconsin received a grant of approximately $17 million and another $2 million intended for hospital preparedness.
Sage said that while terrorism budgets across the nation have seen increases, Wisconsin received a larger amount than most other states.
“Sustainability looks good,” he said. “The ’03 budget increased, the ’04 budget increased. We have a collaborative relationship with Wisconsin because of its good health departments.”
Committee members said the use of biological and chemical agents by terrorists is a threat to the nation’s security and said they will strive to reassure the public that necessary precautions and preventative measures are in effect.
“I am really heartened to hear that the CDC has these push packs, expertise, that they are training people in the state and that they have distributed resources and money to the state of Wisconsin,” said Robson.
