CWMD Meets with Chicago Area BioWatch and STC Partners

On March 27 - 28, Assistant Secretary David Richardson met with state and local representatives for the BioWatch and Securing the Cities (STC) programs in Chicago, Illinois. The meetings aimed to discuss program value, future plans, and equipment needs. The BioWatch program operates 24/7 across 30 major metropolitan areas, providing early airborne biological attack indications. CWMD manages the program with federal agency support, involving scientists, emergency managers, law enforcement officers, and public health officials at various government levels. CWMD serves as DHS's focal point for countering WMD efforts, safeguarding against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats through operational partner coordination across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels.