FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2003
PARTNERSHIP REPORT FINDS NATION UPREPARED FOR BIOTERROR ATTACK
Washington, D.C. – The Partnership for Public Service today released a new report indicating that the federal government's ability to fend off a bioterror attack is in jeopardy due to a shortage of science and medical experts.
The Partnership's report, Homeland Insecurity: Building the Expertise to Defend America from Bioterrorism, assesses five key federal biodefense agencies – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Food and Drug Administration, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The report is the culmination of a year-long series of interviews and data analysis by Partnership staff with over 30 biodefense experts working both within and outside of these agencies.
“Of all the steps we as a nation must take to protect ourselves from bioterror, a primary antidote is an outstanding and expert federal workforce,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “We need a Manhattan Project-like commitment to our biodefense, seeking out and cultivating the best minds in science and medicine to ensure America's safety.”
The report's findings were discussed at a press conference today featuring U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee; the Honorable Richard Danzig, former Secretary of the Navy; Dr. Tara O'Toole, director, Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies; and Stier.
"This report suggests that our nation's defenses against bioterrorism may be weakening because of the serious workforce challenges facing our federal biodefense agencies," said Senator Collins. "Just as we made a commitment to craft a new personnel system for the Department of Defense, we must consider similar governmentwide flexibilities to assist federal agencies in meeting their human capital needs. The report is further evidence of the need for reform."
“Bioterrorism will prove to be one of the greatest national security threats of the 21st century,” said Dr. O'Toole. “Covert bioterrorist attacks are a fundamentally new threat -the federal government does not now have sufficient numbers of people with the kinds of skills needed to anticipate, prepare for and respond to deliberate epidemics. The country must quickly find the experts government needs to protect our country, hire them, and develop their skills.”
“Despite the best efforts of many exceptional talents within the federal government, our human capital strengths in the war against bioterror are likely to erode,” said Richard Danzig. “Our national security requires a better effort to strengthen our federal biodefense agencies; if this report stimulates that effort, it will do us all a service that may ultimately save our lives.”
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The Partnership for Public Service works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
