America's North Shore Journal » WMD
The Threat of Bioterrorism
World At Risk, The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism was issued on December 2, 2008. One of its conclusions was that the threat from bioterrorism was greater than that posed by either nuclear or chemical weapons of mass destruction. The Commission believes that unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013. The Commission further believes that terrorists are more likely to be able to obtain and use a biological weapon than a nuclear weapon. The Commission believes that the U.S. government needs to move more aggressively to limit the proliferation of biological weapons and reduce … Read entire article »
Filed under: Analysis, Commentary, Original writing, War on Terror, WMD
US Nears End of Nerve Gas Destruction
The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency destroyed the last landmine in its stockpiles containing VX nerve-agent munitions, Dec. 24, at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Anniston, Ala. “We have reached a truly remarkable milestone following more than five years of deliberate, but careful, operations,” Timothy K. Garrett, ANCDF site project manager, said. “All nerve-agent munitions — those containing GB and those containing VX — have been safely processed.” CMA personnel and contractors have destroyed the VX munitions at six disposal sites: Anniston, Ala.; Umatilla, Ore.; Newport, Ind.; Pine Bluff, Ark.; Tooele, Utah; and Johnston Island, about 800 miles southwest of Hawaii. “I commend Anniston and all CMA destruction sites on this extraordinary achievement. By destroying the VX agent at each of CMA’s destruction sites, you have made the world a much … Read entire article »
Plague Kills Grand Canyon Biologist
This story is a prime example of the reason that EMS workers are told to use universal precautions for every patient. You cannot know what you may encounter. Although plague is endemic west of the Mississippi — brought here in the 1800s by flea-infested rats on ships ferrying Chinese railroad workers to the USA — York had little reason to suspect it. Mountain lions usually stalk bigger game than rodents. But this lion had kittens that had to learn to hunt. When York became ill, he visited the park’s clinic, Wong says. On Oct. 30, clinic staff diagnosed a flu-like illness and sent him home. It was there, three days later, that a roommate found him lying motionless on the couch. Wong says York’s toughness and self-sufficiency may have cost him his life. … Read entire article »
Military Integration Into NIMS
The National Incident Management System was developed so that: responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. NIMS benefits include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management. As localities created their emergency plans, it was evident that in the event of certain disasters resources beyond those available at the local level would be necessary. Emergency plans were expanded to include regional, state-wide and national resources. Each succeeding level of resources would serve to fill in, supplement or provide those things that the lower levels could not. At the top of the chain of resource procurement would be the United States military. The military’s resources are vast and would … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disasters, Military, Original writing, Reporting, WMD
WMD Course Off Track
I just returned from a mandated course on Weapons of Mass Destruction that is required for my NYS EMT recertification. It was a steaming pile of crap. The “All Hazards” approach is the one being taught now. So, for the first 45 minutes we talked about how little money the US has offered Burma for cyclone relief and how the “government” failed the people of New Orleans. You see, all those people who had been cared for by the government for four generations were abandoned and they didn’t know enough to evacuate on their own. So, the talk began with liberal politics and continued in that manner. Explosives has been added to the list of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Follow me on this, it’s interesting. The instructor points to Oklahoma City, then moves … Read entire article »
National Guard – Plays Key Role in Ricin Response
Two members of the 92nd Civil Support Team take a sample of a simulated hazardous substance in a Sparks, Nev., shopping mall during training Nov. 25, 2005. The Nevada National Guard’s civil support team was called to assist Las Vegas Metro Police on Feb. 28, 2008, with a suspicious substance that was later identified as deadly ricin. The team is one of 52 certified units nationwide to support local and state authorities at domestic incident sites by identifying hazardous agents and substances. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka, USA DoD By Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill, USA Special to American Forces Press Service A National Guard civil support team was on scene within an hour last night after Las Vegas authorities sought help with a suspicious substance that later turned out to be deadly … Read entire article »
Filed under: Crime and Punishment, Military, War on Terror, WMD
Newest Smallpox Vaccine
I’m not sure if this is fighting last year’s war, or is a forward looking step. DoD By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service The Defense Department has begun its transition to the next generation of smallpox vaccine. The new ACAM2000 vaccine first hit the shelves at the Pentagon’s DiLorenzo Clinic last week from the Centers for Disease Control Strategic National Stockpile. … Read entire article »
Joint Biological Point Detection System
DVIDS By Spc. Ryan A. Cleary 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Soldiers from the 637th Chemical Company gathered Jan. 12 to display and demonstrate their newest weapon in the fight against terrorism-the Joint Biological Point Detection System. The JBPDS represents the most advanced biological threat detection and identification system in the world, and officially marks its inception into the National Guard. … Read entire article »
Filed under: War on Terror, WMD
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 129 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 134 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 153 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 160 days)
On Y!CN
- Radioactive Gravel from Japanese Nuke Disaster Used in Buildings
- Fuel Supplies Reach Nome
- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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Bioterrorism and Infectious Disease
January 13th, 2009 | Comments Off
In a crowded store during the Christmas shopping rush, a man sneezes and does not cover his face. Early one morning, a sniffling woman wipes her nose with her fingers and then wipes it off on the subway pole she’s holding onto for support. A sweating, glassy eyed toddler is fussed over by its mother and several other travelers just outside the security gates at a large airport. America is under attack by bioterrorists. All of these scenarios and dozens more are evaluated every day by the men and women of numerous police departments, Homeland Security offices and the Public Health services nationwide. They all realize one important truth. We will not know we have been attacked until it is well underway. Illnesses have two time frames to consider. The first is the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Analysis, Commentary, Original writing, War on Terror, WMD