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Fairlington Historic District

ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOTERRORISM ISSUES:
A WEB PORTAL FOR FAIRLINGTON RESIDENTS

In light of recent events, residents are dealing with anthrax and other bioterrorism issues in many ways - both at home and in their workplaces. Employers are responding to employee concerns, reviewing and updating safety procedures, and trying to get the work done in spite of new obstacles and hazards. Though there is useful information on a number of Federal web sites, few have time to search for it.

The purpose of this portal is to provide quick access to practical, timely resources to help residents in these challenging times. This is a living document; we welcome your feedback and recommendations for additional links and/or information sources. Please contact us at webmaster@fairlington.org

Site Information/Format - Courtesy U.S. Office of Personnel Management

General information about anthrax and other bioterrorism issues:

http://www1.umn.edu/cidrap/content/bt/anthrax/

From the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (University of Minnesota) - the Anthrax section is regularly updated with news stories focusing on the medical and bioterrorism aspects of Anthrax, and the "Overview" provides current and comprehensive medical information about the disease. Additionally, there are scores of medically reviewed links to other resources on and off the Internet.

www.healthfinder.gov/anthrax_bioterrorism.htm

From the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a comprehensive, frequently updated site with information on anthrax and other bioterrorism issues. Some documents in English and Spanish. Useful links to other resources including the latest bulletins from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Anthrax/Anthrax.asp

The Centers for Disease Control's site, with basic information on anthrax, links, and current updates.

Handling mail:

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/content/offerings_content.jsp?contentOID=119260&contentType=1004

From the Federal Protective Service (FPS), guidance on terrorism and handling mail and responding to the discovery of a suspicious substance.

www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/mail3.pdf

Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) downloadable color poster on identifying suspicious packages.

www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/102301.htm

FBI's pictures of letters accompanying anthrax samples.

www.usps.gov/news/2001/press/pr01_1019postcard.htm

From the United States Postal Service (USPS), downloadable post card with tips on recognizing suspicious mail. English and Spanish.

www.atf.treas.gov/explarson/information/indic.htm
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) - provides a graphic on "Suspect Letter and Package Indicators"

Responding to telephone threats:

www.gsa.gov/Portal/content/offerings_content.jsp?channelId=-14114&programId=12171&contentOID=119290&contentType=1004&cid=1

Federal Protective Service guidance on response to telephone threats. Includes specific anthrax information and downloadable checklists to use in talking with people who have called in either bomb threats or threats involving biological or chemical hazards.

Supervising employees with concerns about anthrax

www.opm.gov/oca/pay/html/AnthQA.htm

From the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), questions and answers on hazardous duty pay or environmental differential pay for potential exposure to anthrax.

www.opm.gov/ehs/traugdpg.htm

OPM's publication, Handling Traumatic Events: A Manager's Handbook. No specific information on bioterrorism, but it has general advice on how to manage in the face of injury, death, and anxiety.

www.telework.gov/

A joint OPM/GSA site with comprehensive information for supervisors and employees on telework, including information on the role of telework in post-disaster situations.

Training

www.gsa.gov/Portal/content/offerings_content.jsp?channelId=-14114&programId=12171&contentOID=119088&contentType=1004&cid=1

General Services Administration (GSA) training, basic and advanced, on how to respond to an anthrax threat. In two formats - slides to download and registration opportunities for classroom instruction.