“A CST at Fort Hamilton would give New York City’s first responders a valuable resource to draw upon in the event of a terrorist attack. While we have not been attacked since 9/11, New York City must be prepared for every possible scenario,” Fossella said. " Bayridge Courier Article
A new anti-terrorism team based at the Fort Hamilton Army Base has cleared another important hurdle.
The up-and-coming task force is beginning to assemble staff and equipment, and has now secured one more critical component—money.
The House of Representatives recently signed off on $3.8 million for the operation of New York City’s first Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, or CST. The funding still needs Senate approval.
The elite 22-member team will focus on chemical, biological and radiological attacks. These highly-trained soldiers and guardsmen will help local and state authorities determine the nature of an incident or attack.
While the new Fort Hamilton team still has much work to do before it can be certified, local lawmakers hailed the funding breakthrough as a major milestone.
“This victory brings us one step closer to making New York safer from acts of terrorism,” stated Brooklyn and Staten Island Rep. Vito Fosssella.
“A CST at Fort Hamilton would give New York City’s first responders a valuable resource to draw upon in the event of a terrorist attack. While we have not been attacked since 9/11, New York City must be prepared for every possible scenario,” Fossella said.
Rep. Peter King also welcomed the House’s funding approval.
“Because New York is such a target for would-be terrorists, it is vital for it to have an additional CST located downstate,” said King.
New York State currently has only one CST, based at the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York, outside of Albany.
It is part of a network of 48 Civil Support Teams nationwide that stand ready to deploy from locations throughout the United States.
CST members operate a high-tech “mobile laboratory” of sorts.
Teams are capable of rapidly deploying. Once on scene they can zero in on possible chemical, biological and radiological agents.
CST’s can analyze toxic substances on scene, and then provide medical and technical advice to emergency responders. The teams can also advise state and federal authorities on any additional response.
As well, the unit’s “Unified Command Suite” provides secure voice, video and data access to federal networks, including the Pentagon and the Centers for Disease Control.
The Scotia-based unit has been deployed more than 60 times since its certification in 2001.
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