Chicago Selected as Initial Evaluation Site for Guardian [BioThreat Alert Test Strip] Reader System

Source: Alexeter Technologies.

07.27.00 |  Chicago will be the first jurisdiction in the country to receive a new prototype system for identifying threatening biological agents in the field.  As part of an evaluation program to be conducted over eight test sites throughout the U.S., equipment and training will be provided to the Hazardous Material Division of the Chicago Fire Department during the upcoming week.  The Guardian Bio-Threat Alert (Bio Threat Alert™) System, a joint private development effort  between Alexeter Technologies, LLC (Wheeling, IL) and Tetracore, LLC (Rockville, MD) will give the first responder community the ability to immediately test for potentially dangerous biological substances, such as anthrax.

"The Guardian Bio Threat Alert™ System will, for the first time, give the emergency first responder community the ability to confidently determine whether a bio-terrorist threat is likely either a hoax or credible within minutes of arrival on the scene", says Dr. James Whelan, President and General Manager of Alexeter.

In addition to Chicago, hazardous material handling teams in New York, Miami-Dade County, Boston, Phoenix, San Diego County and Montgomery County (MD) will be given equipment and training over the next four to six weeks.  Production versions of the Guardian Bio Threat Alert System are anticipated for full deployment by year's end.