Implementing the national framework for a biothreat field response mission capability

Abstract

Since the 2001 anthrax attacks, communities have been responding to a sample surge of suspicious mailings. Each event has the potential to be an act of bioterrorism involving a deadly pathogen and, thus, requires a timely response in order to evaluate the risk to public safety. Stakeholders from federal and state governments and industry have recognized the need to develop a mission capability for responding to these suspicious events. The framework for a biothreat field response mission capability advocates the use of innovative detection technology in support of a risk assessment concept of operation. Implementing the framework will require federal and state collaboration and will establish local certification training standards, field-based proficiency and competency assessment exercises, and state response plans that reflect national guidance. This research describes the critical elements of a bioresponse framework, the current status of framework adoption at the state level, and recommendations for a three-phased implementation model.