This week, the national security blog
TaylorMarsh.com is featuring new candidates for Congress explaining how they can do a better job in the War on Terror than our current leaders.
On Saturday, Dr. Wulsin, a longtime public health expert with frontlines experience in fighting epidemics, discussed the threat of bioterrorism. She highlighted three vital areas where the government is currently failing to protect us from bioterror threats, and offered these recommendations:
- Provide full support for the police, fire, medical personnel, and other public servants who serve as our first line of defense against bioterrorism. ...According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, only 13% of fire departments can handle a hazardous material and emergency medical services incident involving chemical and biological agents with their current staff.
- Ensure that all levels of our prevention network are properly coordinated. ...on May 25, my opponent, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, voted against funding for the Metropolitan Medical Response Team, the organization that coordinates local efforts to prepare and respond to a terrorist attack (HR 5441, Amendment 943). That same day, she voted against funding for the Emergency Management Performance Grant program, which provides for emergency planning, training of emergency personnel, exercising and testing emergency response plans, and enhancing communications and warning capabilities (HR 5441, Amendment 946).
- Invest in immunization, prevention, and scientific research so we can protect our nation in the years and decades ahead. ...Prevention should be the guiding principle behind our homeland security policy.
Read the rest of Dr. Wulsin's plan to fight bioterror
here.