Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recently joined 10 congressional colleagues in demonstrating support for funding of three Homeland Security labs.
Officials said correspondence to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees backs full funding of the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) and the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC).
The legislators said the laboratories have played a critical role in protecting America since the attacks of 9/11 and each has a unique homeland security mission.
“This funding is critical to supporting our first responders and federal agencies with the technology and training necessary to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks,” the lawmakers wrote. “The weapons of terrorists and their delivery mechanisms are constantly evolving, and protecting the American public from modern terror threats requires the unique resources and expertise found at the NUSTL, NBACC, and CSAC. That is why funding these laboratories is an investment in U.S. homeland security interests and the safety and effectiveness of our first responders.”
Officials said the New York City Police Department has worked with NUSTL for over 12 years on a variety of projects, such as testing radiation detection equipment, active shooter exercises and developing and evaluating the equipment of first responders while NBACC provides law enforcement with resources to protect against biological terrorist threats and handles some of the most deadly pathogens in the world.
CSAC serves as a resource to prepare federal, state and local governments with information and resources for best response in the event of a chemical spill or other event, officials said.