BY RICK EMERY
The United States was still reeling in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when a new threat emerged just days later. Letters laced with anthrax paralyzed mail service across the country, killing five people and sickening 17 more. More than 10,000 people were deemed to be at risk and underwent antibiotic prophylaxis. Within a short time, emergency response to biological threats and field biotesting were added to the fire service's list of responsibilities. This article discusses current biotesting standards and sampling protocols that influence public safety response to incidents suspected of involving biological materials. Primary emphasis is on emergency response to suspicious packages where a biological threat may be present.
Prior to 2001, very few emergency response agencies were fully prepared to handle biothreat calls. Although there had been several biothreat-type incidents throughout the country, they certainly were not number one on most responders' radar until anthrax letters started to appear in September 2001.
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