Evaluation of the Health and Safety Risks of the New USAMRIID High-Containment Facilities at Fort Detrick, Maryland (2010) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5 Communications and Cooperation with the Public
5 Communications and Cooperation with the Public
Pages 55-61
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 55... ...
biodefense program is predicated on low-probability, high-consequence risk of an attack, so it is easy to see why many Frederick area residents view the risk of an accidental release or intentional diversion from USAMRIID laboratories in the same manner, that is, low probability, but high consequence. Although some members of the public are concerned about biosafety laboratories sponsored by any organization, many appear particularly wary of USAMRIID, based on Fort Detrick's pre-1969 history as home to the U.S.
|
From page 56... ...
PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE RELEASE OF PATHOGENS There is concern in the greater Frederick community that USAMRIID, along with other laboratories at Fort Detrick, poses a serious threat to public health and safety. In fact, this is why Congress commissioned this review by the National Research Council (NRC)
|
From page 57... ...
For example, at the November 19, 2007, public meeting convened by the Frederick County Board of Commissioners (DVD submitted by Jan Gardner, President, Frederick County Commissioners) , a member of the public compared the brief description of the 2000 glanders case in the EIS with the detailed descriptions of this case in journal articles (Srinivasan et al.
|
From page 58... ...
In retrospect, it may be that the judicious use of such approaches at the outset of the decision planning process might have reduced the degree of contentiousness associated with the decision or even led to a more widely accepted decision. Developing and sustaining public trust is essential to the effective longterm operations of USAMRIID.
|
From page 59... ...
Third, USAMRIID, perhaps in cooperation with other laboratories at the National Interagency Biodefense Campus, should consider creating a visitors' center containing inactive -- that is, without agents -- models of laboratory operations to provide continuing opportunities for the public to understand its operations. While such a center might be located within the gate of Fort Detrick, the Army's Chemical Demilitarization programs have found it productive to establish outreach offices in the host communities.
|
From page 60... ...
Seventh, a non-governmental member of the advisory board, as well as a representative of local government, should be invited to serve on the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Finally, members of the Frederick community have expressed the need for the various laboratories that make up the National Interagency Biodefense Campus to coordinate and streamline their communications with the public.
|
From page 61... ...
USAMRIID should create a community advisory board, with a broad representation of community views. This board should meet regularly to learn about successes, problems, and improvements in policies and practices; encourage public suggestions for improvements; and help shape the laboratory's public communications strategy and activities -- including the development of guidelines for reporting incidents to the public.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.