Bioterrorism preparedness for local health departments.

Bioterrorism preparedness has not traditionally been an everyday concern of local public health departments. The likely first responders to a biological bioterrorism event will be local public health personnel. The events of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax crisis that followed tested the capabilities of the public health system and demonstrated its fragility. Little federal funding has trickled down to local health departments, and they have not been included in planning or training for bioterrorism preparedness. Now local health departments must develop detailed bioterrorism response plans. Effective plans will involve internal assessment of strengths and weaknesses and strategizing with other local community agencies. Our health department is a suburban county agency that serves a population of over 250,000. We have started this self-assessment and planning process. This bioterrorism guide has provided some structure for us and may be helpful for other local health departments as they begin this process.