Dual-Benefit Solutions

Pennsylvania State Police Receive High-Tech Info System The Pennsylvania State Police have started testing a new Incident Information Management System in Harrisburg and surrounding counties. Troopers will use the system to record incident information, process evidence, and have access to maps. The system will aid homeland security coordination and speed up police response. [View press release]

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What’s New

Terror Detainees Win Right to U.S. Courts On 28 June, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decisions on two cases: Rasul v. Bush and Hamdi v. Rumsfeld. The court ruled that while the U.S. government has the power to hold American citizens and foreign nationals without charges or trial, detainees can challenge their treatment in U.S. courts. On 29 June, a five-star military tribunal was formed to start trial hearings for detainees. According to military commission procedures, detainees must be provided with a full and fair trial, including the presumption of innocence, a requirement for proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, representation by a military defense counsel free of charge with the option to retain a civilian defense counsel at no expense to the U.S. government, an opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses, no adverse inference if an accused chooses not to testify, and an appeal to an independent and impartial review panel. Military commissions have historically been used to try violations of the law of armed conflict and related offenses. The White House had claimed that under the Eisentrager decision, enemy aliens captured outside of the United States were outside judicial jurisdiction. [View Rasul et al. v. Bush ruling] [View Hamdi v. Rumsfeld ruling] [View Defense Dept. press release]

US-CERT Vulnerability Note Regarding Internet Explorer The U.S. government’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) is warning Web surfers that they may want to stop using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. After last week’s cyber-attack, which targeted a known IE flaw, US-CERT updated an earlier advisory to suggest the use of alternative browsers because of “significant vulnerabilities in technologies relating to the IE domain/zone security model, the DHTML object model, MIME type determination, and ActiveX.” [View vulnerability note]

NATO Offers Training Assistance to Iraq On Monday the North Atlantic Treaty Organization announced its plans to offer assistance to the Iraqi Interim Government in training Iraqi security forces. “We deplore and call for an immediate end to all terrorist attacks in Iraq,” said the North Atlantic Council. “Terrorist activities in and from Iraq also threaten the security of its neighbours and the region as a whole.” [View press release]

North Korea Will Stop Nuclear Tests if Given Aid The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) will not discuss its nuclear program unless it receives a promise of economic aid from the negotiating countries (the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and the Russian Federation), according to Maurice F. Strong, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, commenting on 25 June on the progress of recent talks. The U.S. offer to provide aid and security if North Korea ends its nuclear program is a “positive step” and “shows that the parties are determined to find a diplomatic way to resolve their differences,” said U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. [View press release] [View Secretary-General Annan’s statement]

FDA Testifies on Food Safety Actions The Food and Drug Administration is taking “many actions … to implement the food safety provisions in the Bioterrorism Act,” according to Lester Crawford, Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs, in testimony on 25 June before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. “We have enhanced coordination with our partners in Federal, state, and local governments, academia, and industry,” he said. “To minimize the risk that food will be subject to tampering or other malicious actions, we have issued guidance for the food industry on the security measures it may take.” [View press release]

U.S. and EU Cooperate to Combat Terrorists and Other Serious Criminals On 26 June the United States and the European Union agreed to continue their joint efforts to thwart terrorism and criminal activity around the world. Several agreements were made to enhance this “extensive and growing collaboration,” according to a White House fact sheet. [View fact sheet]

U.S. and Mexico Agree on Voluntary Return of Illegals; DHS Begins Using UAVs to Patrol Border In response to violence on the Arizona-Mexico border, the United States and Mexico on 29 June reached an agreement for a program to transport Mexican citizens back to Mexico unharmed. “The goal of this program is to save lives by safely returning Mexican nationals to their homes, away from the dangers of the Arizona-Sonora desert where smugglers and the harsh summer climate contribute to the deaths and injuries of illegal border crossers,” said Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security. The department announced on 25 June the use unmanned aerial vehicles to patrol the Arizona-Mexico border in order to spot illegal immigrants. “The development of UAVs in protecting the borders of the U.S. demonstrates the commitment this Administration has to testing new technologies and systems to better secure America,” said Hutchinson. “This is another example of the Department’s support to gain operational control of the Arizona border.” [View return program press release] [View UAV press release]

Customs Needs to Change to Comply With Zadvydas Decision, Says GAO U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not have the information or staff to ensure that its custody of illegal aliens is consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court case Zadvydas v. Davis, according to a 27 May General Accounting Office report. The GAO recommends that the Department of Homeland Security direct the Assistant Secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure that Customs has complete and updated information and proper staffing and that deportation officers prioritize their workload appropriately. [View report] [View Zadvydas v. Davis ruling]

Mayors Measure Communication Between Levels of Govt. On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Homeland Security Monitoring Center released its June 2004 Interoperability Report, which sought to measure the reliability and effectiveness of communication among local, state, and federal agencies. “The results of this survey underscore the role financial resources play in disaster-response preparation,” said David Wallace, Mayor of Sugarland, TX, and Co-Chair of the Mayors’ Homeland Security Task Force. “How best to get local first responders what they need tops our list of priorities and we believe [that] this survey points to interoperable delivery improvements that need to be made to the current process.” [View press release] [View report]

DHS Launches First Critical Infrastructure Pilot Program On 23 June, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and representatives from the private sector launched the first Homeland Security Information Network–Critical Infrastructure Pilot Program in Dallas. Similar programs will be launched in Indianapolis, Seattle, and Atlanta at dates yet to be determined. The program is a counterterrorism communications tool that connects the local, state and federal agencies and private businesses. As part of the program, more than 25,000 members will have access to unclassified, sector-specific information and alert notifications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “The Homeland is more secure when each hometown is more secure,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge. “HSIN-CI connects our communities--the government community to the private sector community to the law enforcement community--the better we share information between our partners, the more quickly we are able to implement security measures where necessary.” [View press release]

Work Remains to Comply With New Port Security Policy The U.S. Coast Guard will have to make some changes in order to comply with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, according to a report by the General Accounting Office. The report states that there were 12,300 individual plans to be reviewed and approved by the 1 July deadline. However, 5,900 plans had not been submitted, and of the 6,400 that were, half of the plans needed drastic changes. Additionally, the GAO recommended unscheduled and unannounced inspections to ensure that companies are following the new port security policy. [View report]

Maritime Security Laws in Effect On 1 July, a new set of maritime transportation security laws went into effect--the International Ship and Port Facility Security code and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act. Together these regulations seek to detect and prevent terrorist threats to international waterways. Concurrent with their inauguration, however, there are reports both domestically and internationally that many maritime businesses are unprepared to meet this deadline; the ripple effect is feared to have negative impacts on economies around the globe. [View MTSA-ISPS information site] [View Department of Homealnd Security Factsheet]

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National News

U.S. Expels Two From Iran’s UN Mission (MSNBC) “The United States has expelled two Iranian security guards employed by Tehran’s U.N. offices after the mission was repeatedly warned against allowing its guards to videotape bridges, the Statue of Liberty and New York’s subway,” reports Reuters. The language is reserved for cases involving espionage,” according to the Associated Press. “… Security guards at the mission’s New York offices had been observed by the FBI photographing and videotaping transportation facilities and landmarks in the New York area in June 2002 and November 2003 and were warned against doing so.” [View article]

U.S. Airports Alerted Against Pakistanis (Washington Times) “The Department of Homeland Security has alerted officials at six U.S. airports to look for Pakistani travelers with suspected links to terrorists,” according to United Press International. “A DHS action memo, sent to customs inspectors at airports in Washington, New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles says the suspects may be planning terrorist attacks in the United States between now and the presidential election in November.… The memo asks customs officials to look for signs indicating paramilitary training such as unusual rope-burns, scars and bruises.” [View article]

DHS to Review Border Patrol Raids (Redlands [CA] Daily Facts) The Department of Homeland Security “is reviewing the operations of the newly formed Mobile Patrol Group at the border patrol station in Temecula, which … arrested more than 420 people in interior operations” in June, reports the Daily Facts. “… Such operations in the future will be reviewed and authorized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, D.C.” [View article]

National Emergency Alert System in Disarray (San Mateo County Times) “These days, the [Emergency Alert System] tests are much shorter, less obtrusive--and easy to miss,” according to the Associated Press. “But the system, emblematic of the nation’s emergency alert network, is a mess, says a group of leading state and local disaster response officials.… ‘One of these days, there will be a terrorism event, or an emergency where a lot of lives could have been saved,’ said Peter L. Ward, an earthquake warning expert and former chairman of the partnership.” [View article]

Bioterror Fight May Spawn New Risks (Baltimore Sun) “The federal government has responded to the threat of bioterrorism with a spending blitz that has already surpassed the annual cost of the Manhattan Project to build the first atom bomb,” reports the Sun. “But as illustrated by a recent mishap in which a Frederick lab inadvertently shipped lethal anthrax across the country, the biodefense push might be creating new hazards even as it seeks to make the country safer.” [View article]

New Federal Agency Will Settle Info-Sharing Disputes (Government Computer News) “The intelligence community plans a new organization that will rule on disagreements between agencies over sharing classified information, notably homeland security intelligence,” according to Government Computer News. “… The as-yet-unnamed governing body will serve as an arbiter in disputes among agencies over information sharing. ‘If the [National Security Council] wants information from the FBI and the FBI says no, there is going to be an organization’ to rule on the dispute, [William Dawson, Deputy CIO of the Intelligence Community] said. Another feature of the directive was a set of information sharing implementation guidelines.” [View article]

Interest Grows in Blimps for Homeland Security (Macon [GA] Telegraph) “In this age of laser-guided weaponry and real-time satellite communications, it may be difficult to imagine any interest in supplying the U.S. defense arsenal with fat, lumbering blimps,” reports the Associated Press. “But it’s no joke. Backers of airships say they are cheaper than satellites and manned reconnaissance planes, and would fill a gap between the two.” [View article]

Truckers Serve as Eyes and Ears (Time) “On a blazing hot morning last week, 75 men and women of the highway--bus drivers, truckers and van operators--convened at a nondescript office building in Little Rock, Ark., to be trained as terrorist hunters,” according to Time. “The Department of Homeland Security this year gave $19.3 million to the American Trucking Associations, which is based in Alexandria, Va., to recruit a volunteer ‘army’ called Highway Watch. So far, 10,000 truckers have signed on to become amateur sleuths.” [View article]

FBI Warns That Homemade Mines May Lurk in U.S. Waters (Reuters) “Home-made bombs and mines hidden in inner tubes or other harmless-looking flotsam may be bobbing in U.S. waters, a confidential FBI bulletin warned shortly before new anti-terror shipping laws take effect. The FBI report, issued last Wednesday and titled ‘Potential Indicators of Floating Improvised Explosive Devices or Terrorist Improvised Mines’ said the agency knew of no specific planned attack, an FBI official told Reuters on Monday. But he said the bulletin sought to warn local, state and federal authorities that such attacks could take place.” [View article]

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International News

Iraq’s WMDs Reported in Syria (World Net Daily) “There is mounting evidence that at least some of Saddam Hussein’s missing weapons of mass destruction are in Syria, smuggled there by the Iraqi dictator for safekeeping before the beginning of the war,” according to World Net Daily. “Part of the stockpile the coalition forces have so far failed to find in Iraq was probably destroyed; part is likely still hidden. But a massively lethal amount of Iraq’s chemical and biological weapons is stored alongside Syria’s own stockpiles of WMDs.” [View article]

U.S. Renews Diplomatic Ties with Libya (CNews) “The United States is resuming direct diplomatic ties with Libya even while exploring reports that Moammar Gadhafi took part in a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s crown prince,” reports the Associated Press. “… ‘Both sides confirmed that these actions would assist the step-by-step process of strengthening relations as Libya fulfils each of its commitments and the U.S. continues to respond in kind,’” Assistant Secretary of State William J. Burns said. [View article]

Terrorist Al-Amri Hands Himself in During Saudi Amnesty (Amman, Jordan, Al-Bawaba) “One of the Saudi Kingdom’s most wanted ‘terrorists’ [Othman Hadi Al-Amri] surrendered Monday, the second suspect to turn himself in under a one-month government amnesty announced last week,” according to Al-Bawaba. [View article]

Britain’s National Health Service Unprepared for Terrorist Attack (London Guardian) Doctors on Monday “voiced fears that the” National Health Service “could not cope with a terrorist attack,” according to the Guardian. “Delegates at the British Medical Association’s annual conference backed calls to improve the preparedness of the health service to deal with terrorist attacks, warning that current arrangements were inadequate.” [View article]

Terrorism Threatens India’s Unity (Express India) “Hitting out at the” Opposition, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on [24 June] voiced deep concern over the prevention of a discussion in Parliament on the President’s address and appealed to parties across the political spectrum to respect Parliament as an essential forum for public debate,” according to the Press Trust of India. “‘… It is self-evident that terrorism and violence would cast a dark shadow over this process. With our other South Asian neighbours, it will be our sincere effort to jointly realize the vast potential for cooperation, and to ensure mutual security, stability and development,’ he said.” [View article]

Mediterranean States to Step Up Terror Fight (Big News Network, Australia) “Interior ministers of western Mediterranean states [also referred to as the 5+5 group] are calling for elimination of terrorism’s financial and logistical sources as a means of combating it,” according to Big News Network. “… The so-called Tunis Declaration recommended drafting a cooperation plan for upgrading the security agencies in charge of fighting terrorism, which poses a great danger to democracy, human rights, stability and economic and social development.” [View article]

Yemen to Reform Education System to Fight Militancy (Reuters Alertnet) “Yemen, which is battling Muslim militants, said on Tuesday it would reform its education system and shut down unlicensed schools to combat extremism,” reported Reuters. “… There are hundreds of religious schools in Yemen, many of them unlicensed. Some analysts say these institutions promote fundamentalism in the Arab state, the ancestral homeland of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.” [View article]

Terrorists Plot to Bomb Philippine Inauguration Stopped (Philippine Star) “Authorities said they had thwarted a plot by the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror cell to bomb [Tuesday’s] inaugural rites for President Arroyo in Rizal Park in Manila with the arrest of six suspected” members, according to the Philippine Star. “Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said intelligence reports of the bombing plot disclosed the whereabouts of the suspects leading to their pre-dawn arrest.” [View article]

Morocco’s Tentative Tap-Dance With Terrorism (World Press Review) “General Hamidu Laanigri, the director-general of Moroccan security, last month told the French newspaper Le Figaro that Morocco did not produce terrorism,” according to the Lebanon Daily Star. “As far as the Moroccan authorities are concerned, the fact that many of those involved in major terrorist attacks against Western targets over the past year were Moroccans did not reflect ingrained fundamentalism in the kingdom.… The Moroccan authorities have been zealous in locking up alleged Islamists.… The Moroccan government has also launched a legislative offensive against what it perceives to be the bases of extremism. Until recently, 37 percent of mosques were independent of central authority, but will now come under direct governmental supervision. Religious guides have been introduced into army regiments and a body has been set up to examine the religious content of textbooks used in schools.” [View article]

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State and Local News

Mustard Gas Leak in Aberdeen, MD (WBAL-TV, Baltimore) “The search continues for a mustard gas leak at Aberdeen Proving Ground,” according to WBAL. “Officials now say it’s a vapor leak, not a liquid one. In order to find the source, they will drape plastic over the container stacks and put monitors underneath.” An “alarm signaling a chemical leak started going off last Wednesday.” [View article]

Smugglers Bring Immigrants Through Durango, CO, to Avoid Feds (Durango Herald) “Smugglers are using Four Corners highways to traffic illegal immigrants from border towns to major cities, making Durango’s immigration office one of the busiest in a four-state region,” according to the Herald. “Several U.S. highways in the Four Corners, including U.S. Highways 160 and 550, connect the U.S./Mexico border to major cities across the country. A federal operation to crack down on smuggling in Phoenix has forced more smugglers to come through [Durango]. Up to 25 people at a time have been found crammed into minivans and pickups when pulled over by local police.” [View article]

Florida Fish and Wildlife Unit Adds Antiterror unit (Palm Beach Post) “Florida has a new and unlikely weapon in the war on terror--the fish police,” according to the Palm Beach Post. “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Division, whose usual missions are busting folks who fish without a license and hunting down poachers, now has an anti-terror squad.” [View article]

Indiana Has First DHS Infrastructure Pilot Program Site (Government Technology) The Indiana Alert Network program will use a website “to allow participants to communicate and share information vital to Indiana’s infrastructure, including any potential security threats,” according to Government Technology. To join the network, “businesses, law enforcement and government officials must submit an application to the Infrastructure Advisory Panel for approval.” The site was scheduled to be launched on 1 July. The site will offer more information and applications for participation. In addition, it will provide Hoosiers with a link to the FBI’s Tips Program, which “allows individuals to report any suspicious or unusual behavior to the FBI.” [View article]

Ohio Airport Sticking with Federal Screeners (Marietta Times) “If given the option of using private contractors for airport security, the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport will continue to have its passengers screened by the Transportation Security Administration, said airport manager Carolyn Strock,” according to the Marietta Times. “U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., on [24 June] denounced efforts to privatize airport security screeners, saying that would jeopardize the quality of aviation security and oversight.” [View article]

Blackford Co., IN, Emergency Agency Leads in Preparedness (Muncie Star Press) “Under the guidance of Aaron Henderson the Blackford County Emergency Management Agency seems prepared for almost any emergency,” reports the Star Press. “‘Aaron is doing an excellent job,’ said Blackford County [Commissioner] Robert O’Rourke. ‘From the word we get back, Blackford is ahead of most counties, and other counties are using Aaron’s plans as guidelines.’” [View article]

Montana Cyber-Sleuth Patrols the Web for Terrorism (KGW-TV, Portland, OR) “Fort Lewis Army Spc. Ryan Anderson thought he was communicating with a Muslim extremist on the Internet when he allegedly asked if a ‘brother fighting on the wrong side could defect,’” according to the Associated Press. “The 26-year-old Washington state National Guardsman didn’t know his e-mails instead were secretly collected by Shannen Rossmiller, a small-town Montana city judge and amateur cyber sleuth who draws out would-be terrorists and turns them over to authorities. Anderson was arrested in February and now faces a court-martial on five counts of trying to provide terrorists with information about U.S. troop strength and tactics, along with methods for killing American soldiers. Rossmiller, 34, of Conrad, Mont., is one of an unknown number of citizen cyberspies who, unrestricted by laws prohibiting entrapment, gather information they say authorities don’t always catch.” [View article]

Tennessee Unveils New ‘Certificate of Driving’ Design (Williamson Co. Review Appeal) “Beginning this week, people who pass Tennessee’s driving test but can’t prove U.S. citizenship will qualify only for a ‘certificate of driving,’ instead of regular driver’s license,” reports the Associated Press. “… In early 2001, Tennessee loosened regulations to allow illegal immigrants to qualify for driver’s licenses. After the Sept. 11 attacks, concerns were raised that foreign terrorists could be getting Tennessee licenses. ‘Tennessee now has the toughest driver’s license law in the United States,’ said Gen. Jerry Humble, the state’s homeland security director.” [View article]

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Private-Sector News

New High-Tech Passports on Distant Horizon (Knight Ridder Newspapers) “New high-tech passports once expected by October have been delayed at least a year and, according to screening technology specialists, may never provide the hoped-for level of protection against terrorists,” reports Knight Ridder. “The main reason is that the key to the passports--facial recognition--requires technologies that even proponents say are difficult to implement and not yet reliable.” [View article]

Cymfony Wins Federal Contracts to Develop Information Discovery Software (BusinessWire) The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate has awarded Cymfony three contracts, totaling more than $2 million, to develop information-extraction, text-mining, and analysis software to assist in Air Force intelligence and homeland security efforts. [View press release]

Titan Mutates to Meet Needs of Pentagon (San Jose Mercury News) “Titan Corp. grew by following a strategy that has been popular in the defense business: Go wherever the Pentagon needs work,” according to the Associated Press. “The company has veered from missile defense to satellite communications to information technology for homeland security, making acquisitions and doing subcontracting deals.” [View article]

Akers Biosciences Introduces Biosniffer (PR Newswire) Akers Biosciences has developed and introduced the Biosniffer, a continuous monitoring detector designed to provide real-time information on the airborne release of biowarfare agents. Each system is designed to provide visual, auditory, and electronic warning signals to indicate that a biowarfare agent release has occurred. [View press release]

Virtual Alert Will Aid Oregon Bioterrorism Preparedness (BusinessWire) The Oregon Department of Human Services has contracted with Virtual Alert to develop bioterrorism readiness solutions that provide alerting, collaboration, and communications capabilities via a dedicated Internet portal that will enable designated users to access department-related news, documents, discussions, announcements, links, and contact information. [View press release]

Michigan State University Wins $3.7 Million to Boost Homeland Security (Lansing State Journal) “Michigan State University researchers won four grants Tuesday totaling $3.7 million from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor,” according to the Lansing State Journal. “The grants were among 22 totaling $24 million to spur development in life sciences, homeland security and advanced automotive technology in Michigan. Awards were given to universities and businesses. State officials believe those areas have the potential to help diversify the economy and create good-paying jobs.” [View article]

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Upcoming Events

Partnering With Industry: Innovative Technologies in Homeland Security 2004 Conference and Exhibition (12–15 July; San Diego) The exhibition provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology division’s objectives, requirements, processes, and relationship with industry partners. Meet senior management from the division, including Program Managers from the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, and learn how to participate in the challenge to bring innovative homeland security solutions to reality. Discuss and view innovative technologies from industry, national and federal laboratories, and academia as we work together to meet new homeland security challenges. [View conference website]

NACCHO 2004 Annual Conference (14–17 July; St. Paul, MN) The annual conference of the National Association of County and City Health Officials discussing the most relevant issues facing local public health agencies and departments. [View conference website]

Combating Bioterrorism: The Organizational Response (19–21 July; Cambridge, MA) The threat of bioterrorism requires a coordinated response that challenges the ability of public and private organizations to cooperate under stress. This course examines the various institutional and professional obstacles to cooperation and strategies to overcome them. The course, taught by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Security Studies Program affiliates and public health specialists, reviews the historical experience and outlines the policy alternatives. [View course website]

Government Security Expo 2004 (28–29 July; Washington, DC) If your job involves securing government assets--whether they’re physical or virtual--don’t miss GOVSEC 2004. Held in the heart of the industry, Washington, DC, it’s the only event where the curriculum is designed specifically for, and by, government security professionals. You’ll walk away with a current, focused, and in-depth education on the critical issues facing your department today. And, at the Expo, you’ll get to see the latest security innovations from the leading vendors working in government today. [View conference website]

Ready! The Emergency Preparedness and Response Conference and Exposition (28–29 July; Washington, DC) The Department of Homeland Security is rolling out the National Response Plan and National Incident Management System. Ready! offers an educational forum for today’s emergency managers and first responders. From new incident management methodologies and emerging policies to collaboration techniques and communication technologies, attendees will learn about the latest developments for emergency responders. [View conference website]

Summer Institute for Public Health Practice--Public Health Preparedness: Tools for the Frontline (2–6 August; Seattle, WA) This year’s five-day institute will be integrated around the theme of Public Health Preparedness: Tools for the Frontline and designed to provide public health practitioners with intensive, practical, case-based training in support of bioterrorism and emergency public health preparedness as well as skills for general public health practice. [View conference website]

Master of Science in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases (Fall 2004 Application Deadline--16 August) The Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, offers an M.S. degree in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases. This program is especially relevant for students seeking careers in homeland security, where knowledge of biological and chemical agents is vital for addressing issues involving weapons of mass destruction and emergency management. In addition to biohazard prevention and emergency management, the program seeks to address the knowledge gap between the science of biohazardous agents and infectious diseases facing the world community--whether such threats occur naturally or are purposefully distributed. [View program website] [E-mail Graduate Programs Coordinator]

9th Annual Joint Services Environmental Management Conference (16-19 August; San Antonio, TX) This conference will bring together thousands of professionals from military services, industry, academia, local, state, and federal agencies to translate ideas, success stories, case histories, current trends, and technologies into solutions for pollution prevention and hazardous waste management challenges. The four-day schedule includes 224 technical presentations on a variety of topics, over 375 exhibitors showcasing their latest equipment, products, technology, and services, and a networking reception. [View conference website]

Technologies for Public Safety in Critical Incident Response Conference and Exposition (27–29 September; New Orleans) This first-ever joint conference of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate and the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice will highlight the technology and training tools available and being developed for the responder community to deal with major threats to lives and property, such as terrorist attacks. The conference offers a unique opportunity for responders, business and industry, academia and elected federal, state and local stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and address common critical incident technology needs. [View conference website] [Register for this event]

Rural Homeland Security Expo (21-22 October; Loretto, PA) This event seeks to demonstrate emerging technologies designed to improve rural America’s ability to prepare for and manage mass casualties resulting from a terrorist attack or weapons of mass destruction. The expo will provide emergency management officials working in public, private, and nonprofit entities with a forum to discuss issues that will facilitate better communications and cooperation during emergencies. In addition, demonstrations will highlight technologies that may aid the participants in performing their professional duties. [View conference website]

Fall 2004 Biometrics Summit (26-28 October; New York) Attendees of the 11th annual international forum for advanced identification solutions will learn about the latest biometrics technology solutions, their utility across different end users and how to effectively implement such solutions into security policies using case studies from industry experts. [View conference website]

Emergency Response 2004 (17–20 November; San Diego) Recent history has proven the need for all first responders to work together and communicate effectively. Emergency Response 2004 will focus on how land, air, and marine emergency organizations can better integrate their response to major incidents and manage the new missions imposed by increased homeland security concerns. This conference offers attendees the ability to meet and interact with all emergency response industry professionals. The extensive conference, with five separate industry tracks, will bring you up to date with all the latest advancements, training, methods, and equipment. [View conference website]

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