All-Hazards Preparedness, Response, and CBRN Defense

All-Hazards Preparedness and Response & CBRN Defense

The All-Hazards Preparedness and Response & CBRN Defense practice area aims to prevent, prepare, detect, defeat, and respond to CBRN incidents; intentional, accidental, and natural outbreaks of infectious disease; and natural disasters.

Gryphon Scientific’s All-Hazards Preparedness work focuses on characterization and mitigation of all-hazard risks to human and animal populations including health effects associated with weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), emerging infectious disease, and antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Additionally, this practice area includes projects which focus on critical infrastructure protection.

CBRN DEFENSE

Gryphon Scientific provides risk and threat assessments to inform the design of CBRN defensive systems and the development of novel countermeasures for CBRN agents. Our work has materially influenced the largest investments in CBRN security. To build local capacity for incident response, Gryphon Scientific also designs and delivers training and exercises for CBRN preparedness.

Supporting FEMA’s Response to CBRN Incidents

Gryphon Scientific managed a large multi-task order contract to support FEMA’s Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radiological Office responsible for national response and short-term recovery from CBRN incidents. Activities included developing the Implementation Plan for the DHS Strategy for Responding to and Recovering from a Catastrophic Chemical Attack, which featured a critical infrastructure impacts analysis and extensive coordination with Federal and state agencies.

Modeling Medical Needs

Gryphon Scientific predicted the medical resources for treatment and prophylaxis required to respond to WMDs used in civilian settings. We developed several models based on scientific information on the efficacy of prophylaxis and treatment and general virological, toxicological and microbiological literature. To determine the quantity and severity of casualties, we developed or used existing epidemiological models and hazard prediction models that incorporated complex weapon source terms.

Assessing the Vulnerability of Biodefense Systems

Gryphon Scientific characterized and addressed the vulnerabilities of the two principal U.S. biodefense systems—syndromic surveillance and environmental monitoring systems. We examined system vulnerabilities from an adversary’s point of view by collecting information available in the open literature or observable through field studies. Special attention was focused on suggesting ways to address each identified vulnerability.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY

Gryphon Scientific assists emergency management authorities in both public and private sectors in coping with the daunting challenges posed by naturally occurring and man-made disasters. We develop tools and best practices to help public health, emergency management authorities, and private organizations create efficient disaster preparedness, response, and recovery plans to mitigate the consequences of disasters, deliver effective relief services, and strengthen community resilience.

Supporting the Critical Infrastructure Program

Under the National Preparedness System, HHS has responsibilities for critical public health infrastructure security and resilience to support its core mission of public health and emergency medical preparedness. Gryphon Scientific provides support to the National Critical Infrastructure Program including technical risk analyses, readiness exercises and analysis, and various logistical and secretariat functions.

Analyzing Flood Models and Datasets

To inform future planning and emergency management, Gryphon Scientific was commissioned by FEMA’s Modeling and Data Working Group to conduct an analysis of models and datasets used across the US federal interagency emergency management community for flood response operations. Through a combination of interviews with subject matter experts, literature research, and network analysis, we identified and annotated a comprehensive collection of models and datasets that were incorporated in an interactive web-based inventory.

Developing a Radiological Emergency Response Plan

Gryphon Scientific provided health physics and disaster response expertise in developing a comprehensive radiological response plan for the Radiation Studies Branch of the CDC. A major component involved developing a situational awareness plan by gathering data from stakeholders on their information needs and evaluating the existing tools and data that would be used in the aftermath of an IND.

EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANT AGENTS

Gryphon Scientific recognizes that accurate surveillance and rapid response capabilities are essential to combat emerging diseases and the threat of antimicrobial resistant agents. Through assessing risk, modeling the spread of infectious disease, and assessing the effectiveness of countermeasures, we help policymakers develop effective prevention, preparedness, and response strategies for countering emerging biological threats.

Quantifying the Risk of Disease Spread to the U.S. from Outbreaks Abroad

To inform decision-making about outbreak preparedness and response activities, Gryphon Scientific developed a tool for assessing the risk of disease spread to the U.S. from outbreaks identified abroad. Based on the location and characteristics of an outbreak and the causative agent, the tool generates a risk profile, an overall risk score, and a confidence score rating the quality of data supporting the risk assessment.

End-to-End Study of Antibiotic Resistant Biological Agents

To understand the risks associated with antibiotic resistant biological agents, Gryphon Scientific searched the microbiological, biochemical and clinical literature related to both natural and engineered resistance in biological threat agents. Additionally, our staff built epidemiological models to predict casualties that would result from an attack with multi-drug resistant agents and to estimate how prophylaxis and treatment would limit the quantity of casualties that would otherwise result. We then interviewed medical and security first responders to determine how their practices would change if they had to respond to an attack with antibiotic resistant agents.

Improving the Prediction of Vector-Borne Diseases

As a first step toward improving the prediction of emergence and reemergence of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in South and Central America, Gryphon Scientific assessed the public health infrastructure in the region. We inventoried the status of surveillance and vector control systems, identified existing data sets, and characterized the state of science for disease symptomology and epidemiology.