Biodefense - Training & Education | New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center

Education and training of first responders, clinicians, laboratorians, and other critical partners help ensure all essential personnel understand the risks associated with biological threat agents, know how to work through defined communication channels, and have prepared and drilled emergency response protocols.

The Biodefense Laboratory assisted the Association of Public Health Laboratories with the creation of biothreat identification bench cards.

Biothreat Agent Bench Cards for the Sentinel Laboratory

The Wadsworth Center created a template to assist laboratories in their response to occupational exposures to infectious agents.

Occupational Health Program for High-Risk Pathogens and Toxins

Biodefense Newsletters

Video - Proper Use of the Biological Safety Cabinet

Video - Recognition of Biothreat Agents and Recent Brucella Exposures in New York

Available Training

Clinical Training

The Biodefense Laboratory has developed Basic Select Agent Flowchart and Evaluation cards to assist clinical microbiologists with biothreat agent identification.

Working in a High Containment Laboratory

Course: $650 per student

This hands-on training program will concentrate on training laboratorians in Biosafety Level-2 and -3 laboratory procedures. Participants will learn the structural requirements integral to various laboratory types, how to maintain and work properly within the containment requirements, and how to troubleshoot and maintain high containment laboratories. Emphasis will be placed on Class III Glove Box training for laboratorians. Class III Glove Box training will be offered as a specialized BSL-3 enhanced module to highlight the additional precautions and safety requirements that are necessary when working with extremely hazardous agents. The Wadsworth Center Training Laboratory will also be used in order to provide participants with broad exposure to various laboratory types and requirements as well as allowing for more individual hands-on time during the course.

All Hazards

The Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health provides a unique and dynamic experience in the field of All Hazards Response training. Various courses are offered for audiences of diverse backgrounds. Enhanced training opportunities are available in the following areas:

All-Hazards Receipt Facility Training (AHRF) for Engineering and Support Personnel
All-Hazards Response Training for Laboratory Personnel
Consequence Management for Public Health Laboratory Director

All Hazards Receipt Facility Training for Engineering and Support Personnel

Standard Course: $650 per student | Tailored Course: $650 per student

This course will focus on training facilities staff and engineers on the state-of-the-art AHRF air handling, security, liquid handling, and biosafety systems. Staff will be trained in the routine maintenance and upkeep of these highly specialized units and will gain an understanding of the requirements for their annual certification. Emphasis will be placed on critical considerations needed for the integration of a stand-alone All Hazard Receipt Facility or as a retrofit space within an existing laboratory structure. The extensive experience gained by the Facility and Engineering staff at the Wadsworth Center during the integration of the AHRF into the Public Health Laboratory will be shared with attendees in order to facilitate their experience with such a complex project. This course will include both operational and didactic components.

All Hazard Response Training for Laboratory Personnel

Standard Course: $800 per student | Tailored Course: $1000 per student

This hands-on training program will concentrate on the All Hazard approach to identifying unknown threat substances and will follow the established DHS/EPA All Hazard Receipt Facility testing algorithms. An integrated approach will be taken in order to tie in chemical, biological, radiological and explosive hazards. Emphasis will be placed on appropriate containment requirements, testing options and workflow considerations as well as key characteristics of hazardous agents. Public health laboratories will benefit from this training as they begin to explore the necessity of melding existing laboratory testing with an all hazard screening approach. The final days of this course will include testing of unknowns according to the DHS/EPA algorithm available on the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) website.

Understanding All Hazard Screening Testing Algorithms and Consequence Management for Public Health Laboratory Director

This training program will concentrate on providing guidance to public health officials, laboratory directors and other authorities who will be making significant public health and safety decisions based on the results of the All Hazards Screening Method. The predictive value of the different tests, the potential impact of any hazards identified, and the potential response actions will all be addressed.

Training location: David Axelrod Institute
Recommended accommodations: The Hilton Garden Inn

CODE RED

First Responders collecting biothreat samples in NYS should implement the CODE RED protocol when submitting specimens to the Wadsworth Center. CODE RED kits are distributed to First Responder communities free of charge. To request free onsite training email or call 518-402-4455.

Below is a selection of training material developed by the Biodefense Laboratory that may be requested for the First Responder Community:

Collection Kits
Flip Cards
Training video
Chemical Terrorism and Bioterrorism response cards