30 cities receive enhanced air monitoring in alert

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Homeland Security officials have enhanced their ability to monitor the air for biological warfare agents in 30 cities, one of several ways the government is preparing for possible terrorist strikes during a high, Code Orange alert.
The alert also has activated special disaster-response teams, while federal officials have been conferring with foreign governments to prevent terrorists from boarding international flights bound for the United States.
"People have their antennas up," said Brian Roehrkasse, a spokesman for the Homeland Security Department.
President Bush kept abreast of terrorism threats from the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland as he celebrated Christmas Day with his family.
The department previously modified air pollution monitoring equipment in the 30 cities to pick up any harmful biological agents and provide test results in 12 to 24 hours.
Additional monitors
After the national threat alert was raised to orange Sunday, officials took several dozen additional monitors and installed them in the same cities. The locations were not identified for security reasons.
The emergency response units that have been activated are divided up by areas of expertise.
Separate teams would:
UProvide expert advice and support to the on-scene commander if there was a threat or an incident involving weapons of mass destruction.
URespond to any release of radiation with advice and air monitoring equipment.
UProvide medical personnel to assist state and local medical authorities.