Ron Fizer, fellow emeritus for management strategy at LMI, said Congress should act now to reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office to protect the country from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
In a blog post published on LMI’s website, Fizer wrote that DHS CWMD Office is set to expire on Dec. 21, and failure to reauthorize the agency is an “invitation to terrorism, a betrayal of our security, and a perilous gamble with our nation’s future.”
Established in 2018, DHS CWMD works to deliver capabilities, guidance and leadership to first responders as they confront a range of CBRN threats.
Fizer, a retired U.S. Army colonel, noted that DHS CWMD works with first responders at federal, state, local, tribal and territorial agencies to synchronize protection and prevention efforts and facilitate sharing of data related to WMD threats.
“This collaboration strengthens the collective response capabilities and ensures a unified approach to countering WMDs,” he said.
Fizer stated that CWMD Office works to facilitate interagency and international cooperation, invests in initiatives to research and develop technologies and countermeasures against WMD threats and provides training programs for personnel involved in addressing such threats.
LMI is sponsoring the Potomac Officers Club’s 2023 Homeland Security Summit. Join this key event on Nov. 15 to hear government and industry leaders discuss the latest digital transformation efforts to protect and secure the homeland amid evolving global threats. Click here to register.
