U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) was honored last Tuesday by the Partnership for Community Safety for his guidance in strengthening America’s disaster readiness and, most notably, his work on the Frist-Kennedy bioterrorism bill. The organization represents fire chiefs, paramedics, medical education and emergency professionals, physicians and public health officials as well as state regulatory agencies.
“This award is all the more meaningful because it comes from those men and women who were on the front lines during the October anthrax attacks and who will be asked to respond to future biological attacks,” said Frist. “Last year’s Frist-Kennedy bioterrorism bill provided a tremendous boost to our national bioterrorism preparedness and is important for equipping local communities in the event of a bioterrorist attack. But it’s the bravery and dedication of our first responders that will ensure we’re ready for any future biological threats. I’m grateful to receive such a prestigious award and look forward to working closely with members of the Partnership for Community Safety as we continue to address these challenges.”
The Partnership for Community Safety advocates community readiness for biological, chemical and nuclear terrorism and other disasters. It supports efforts to improve readiness in the nation’s public health and emergency departments, hospitals, fire services, ambulance and EMS organizations and the nursing profession. This is the first year the legislative achievement award has been given. Other recipients included Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representatives John Dingell (D-MI) and Billy Tauzin (R-LA).
The Frist-Kennedy bioterrorism bill, which was signed into law on June 12, focused on four critical areas: providing federal assistance to state and local governments to help them better prepare for a biological attack; improving public health, hospital, laboratory, communications and emergency response preparedness and responsiveness at the state and local levels; increasing incentives for the rapid development and manufacture of needed therapies, vaccines and medical supplies; and enhancing the safety of the nation’s food supply and protecting our agriculture from biological threats and attacks.
Senator Frist is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Public Health and the Senate’s only physician. He began addressing bioterrorism in 1998 when the Senate Public Health Subcommittee held hearings on this issue. He’s been instrumental in drafting two of the most important pieces of legislation addressing bioterrorism, both of which have been signed into law.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.