biological industry:
Since the tragic events of 09-11 and the “Amerithrax” bioterrorist anthrax attacks in September and October of 2001 that killed five and injured 17, High Containment Biosafety Level 4 facilities have increased tenfold. Today over 1,350 public and private High Containment Biosafety Level 3 and 15 Biosafety Level 4 facilities, and some 15,000 biological scientists and technicians have been authorized to handle Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT). Biological Select Agents and Toxins are some of the most deadly biological agents known to mankind. Biosafety Level 4 High Containment facilities and scientists are authorized to conduct research on the most deadly Biological Select Agents and Toxins for which there is no known cure or vaccine. To safeguard these deadly agents and toxins, the U.S. Government requires High Containment facilities to establish Special Agent Programs – Special Agent Programs that require written Security Plans, Site-Specific Risk Assessments, and drills and exercises to be conducted at least annually. Between the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) 336 Special Agent Programs and the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) 64 Special Agent Programs there exists a regulatory requirement for as many as 400 exercises annually.
The RBTX staff has participated in the design, development, coordination, and facilitation of 13 exercises that involved terrorist attacks that resulted in the release of deadly biological toxins and agents and / or attacks on biological containment facilities. These 13 exercises resulted in the training of over 1,200 Federal, State, local, and private sector law enforcement, security, and emergency response personnel. The results of this training allowed these agencies to review their existing plans, policies, and procedures and make effective upgrades as warranted.
The RBTX staff has participated in the design, development, coordination, and facilitation of 13 exercises that involved terrorist attacks that resulted in the release of deadly biological toxins and agents and / or attacks on biological containment facilities. These 13 exercises resulted in the training of over 1,200 Federal, State, local, and private sector law enforcement, security, and emergency response personnel. The results of this training allowed these agencies to review their existing plans, policies, and procedures and make effective upgrades as warranted.
2001 anthrax attacks killed 5, sickened 17, and cost the U.S. in excess of $1 billion
