States, localities receive $1.4 billion to improve bioterrorism preparedness

The Health and Human Services Department has released $1.4 billion to states, territories and three metropolitan areas to help increase preparedness to respond to terrorism incidents and other emergencies, Secretary Tommy Thompson said Tuesday.

The department said $870 million will be issued to help improve public health systems to address biological terrorism and similar emergencies and $498 million will go toward helping states develop surge capacity to deal with mass casualty events.

According to the Associated Press, Connecticut will receive more than $18 million of the new funds. Of that amount, $11.9 million will go for bioterrorism response funding and more than $6 million will go toward helping hospitals and health care facilities deal with casualties. Wisconsin will receive more than $25 million to improve preparedness for a biological attack and other emergencies.