International Counter-Terrorism Experts Convene in US

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The FBI will join forces with other national security agencies and experts from 30 countries, November 3-5 at Convergence 2010 to boost counter-terrorism capabilities and examine new security technology. An innovation in mobile forensics laboratories, developed by GERMFREE, will be premiered at the event. GERMFREE'S units were deployed to provide rapid threat assessment at the 2010 Winter Olympics and most recent G8 and G20 Summits.

Convergence brings international leaders in counter-terrorism together to confront the most extreme global security threats, specifically CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive).

GERMFREE's new class of mobile rapid-response laboratories provide unprecedented on-site surveillance, detection and forensic capabilities to accurately identify any suspicious material, such as biological, chemical or radiological agents.  "These labs are a significant advancement in on-site threat assessment," says Keith Landy, President of GERMFREE. "We have produced the first commercially manufactured, mobile high-containment forensic laboratories."

GERMFREE's mobile units provide the critical resources for on-site surveillance, command and control of a high-profile event or incident – capabilities previously available only at major fixed-site facilities. This technology closes the gap between the first responder, investigator and incident commander.

"GERMFREE's mobile forensic laboratories are designed to support our law enforcement community and be effective for a CBRNe event of consequence. These labs are versatile, reliable and rugged. When on-site, they allow incident commanders to make rapid decisions," says mobile labs expert Monica Heyl, who directed CBRNe/Mobile programs for the US Army.

Dr. Dennis Reutter, a CBRNe expert, further explains the rationale for these mobile labs: "During national events, I believe that it is critical to have facilities and capabilities to receive and classify and, if possible identify, questioned samples (potentially containing Chemical, Radiological or Biological threats) rapidly and with high confidence. As a matter of practicality and logistics, those facilities and capabilities must be in near proximity to the national event."  Reutter, who established the Edgewood Chemical and Biological Forensic Analytical Center, continues "I believe that the mobile laboratories that have been fabricated by GERMFREE for the Canadian Government represent a flexible, mobile and important contribution toward filling this critical need."

www.germfree.com

SOURCE GERMFREE