The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) recently held a meeting with state and local leaders, according to a press release from the agency.
The meeting was hosted by the BioWatch Advisory Committee Senior Leadership team.
DHS's CWMD office is the agency's main focus in the effort to counteract weapons of mass destruction.
The office is in charge of the BioWatch program, which operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in more than 30 major metropolitan areas. The organization's goal is to issue an early warning for a potential airborne biological attack, the press release noted.
"BioWatch is successful because of the partnership with state and local officials," Gary Rasicot, acting assistant secretary for CWMD, told Homeland Newswire. "Their input is critical to help shape the direction and future of the program."
Medical officials in the Houston area approve of the program.
"The City of Houston appreciated the opportunity to learn about the direction of biodetection capabilities at DHS and share best practices in biosurveillance with stakeholders across the country," Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer and health authority for the City of Houston, said in the press release.
Persse is hopeful about the future of the partnership.
"We're looking forward to continuing our partnership with the DHS CWMD BioWatch program to keep the City of Houston safe from a biological incident," he said.
