Until now, the subject of nuclear, biological or chemical warfare was only broached in a good science fiction novel or in an action-packed Hollywood motion picture. But today, in a post 9-11 world, the threat of bioterrorism is a harsh reality many Americans are quickly trying to come to terms with.

“After September 11th, new priorities and challenges have tested the public health system in ways we never conceived,” said Greg Wilson, M.D., Indiana State Health Commissioner. “We believe that strengthening the public health infrastructure — which has been neglected throughout the nation for decades — is the best way to improve our response to bioterrorism,” he added.

As the plight of bioterrorism moves to the forefront of the minds of many Americans, Indiana’s Public Broadcasting Stations are working to keep the people of Indiana educated and informed on these growing concerns. The Bioterrorism Threat: Indiana Responds — a collection of three compelling public broadcasting reports — will detail specific bioterrorism threats in Indiana, examine our preparedness for an attack and outline the ways in which Hoosiers should respond in the event of an attack. The series, which is being produced by Central Indiana Public Broadcasting (WFYI TV 20 / FM 90 – Indianapolis, WTIU-TV /WFIU Public Radio – Bloomington and WIPB-TV/WBST-Indiana Public Radio – Muncie) in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health, will include two hour-long television broadcasts and one companion radio special.

Veteran broadcaster Diane Willis serves as host of the programs, which assembles such leading Indiana bioterrorism experts as:

• Peter Beering, Terrorism Preparedness Coordinator for Indianapolis (Discussing water supply safety)
• Senator Richard Lugar (Discussing dirty bombs, BT stockpiles, overview)
• Greg Wilson, M.D., State Health Commissioner, ISDH (Overview, Smallpox, Food Safety)
• Virginia Caine, M.D., Director, Marion County Health Department (Providing an overview as well as discussing Smallpox and Food Safety)
• Leon Thacker Ph.D, Purdue University, Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (Discussing food safety , agroterrorism)
• Judith Myers-Walls Ph.D, Purdue University, Expert, Child Development and Family Studies (Discussing emotional preparedness)
• Alden Taylor, State Emergency Management Spokesperson (Discussing physical preparedness)

Part one, which is entitled “Understanding the Threat,” is designed to help viewers understand the nature of terrorism through the use of biological, chemical or radioactive weapons. The program will cover such hazards as anthrax, smallpox, botulism and “dirty bombs,” in addition to outlining the risks posed by nerve agents such as those in the Newport VX stockpile. The special also explores the safety of Indiana’s water and food supplies, and most importantly, the measures being taken by the Indiana State Department of Health, State Emergency Management Association (SEMA), and other state agencies to respond to bioterrorism attacks. As part of this broadcast, television journalist Phil Bremen will facilitate a question and answer session with a studio audience.
Listen to the archive here

In part two, “First Responders,” viewers will discover the efforts that are currently underway to train Indiana’s firefighters, law enforcement officers and public health workers to deal with potential bioterrorism threats. The program will spotlight several Indiana communities, including Bloomington, Lafayette and Fort Wayne, where measures are underway to help protect citizens in the event of a biological, chemical or nuclear attack.

The series concluded with a live, two-hour public radio broadcast on Friday, April 25 on WFYI Public Radio 90.1 FM HD1. The broadcast outlined the dangers of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare and provided Hoosiers with the kind of information they should know in the event of an attack. As part of this special report, listeners were encouraged to phone in their questions to the various experts taking part in the broadcast.
Listen to the archive here