Much of the fire protection action embraces retrofit work, service and maintenance as officials at various government and military facilities are now testing and upgrading fire alarm and suppression equipment. At the same time, these federal officials as well as state and local agencies are responding to more complex and challenging bioterror threats. Ricin attacks against U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in February and a ricin incident aimed at the White House last November show that the anthrax attacks in 2001 were just the beginning of bioterror threats and incidents.
Studies released earlier this year by the New York-based Century Foundation suggest that agencies, public health departments and business organizations are more prepared when it comes to bioterrorism but critical problems remain, even as millions of dollars are spent on solutions.