WMD team's funds sliced

A Denver-based federal counterterrorism team charged with saving lives after nerve gas, nuclear or dirty-bomb attacks is facing its own challenges that threaten its ability to quickly respond.

"If getting there early is going to save lives, we are not going to save as many lives," said Dr. Charles Goldstein, commander of the 90-member unit.

The team of doctors, nurses and paramedics - a unique unit in the 107-team National Disaster Medical System - is supposed to be able to mobilize within hours, then fly into chaos and work through the crucial first few days after an attack to contain casualties.

But overspending has mired the system in debt, forcing the suspension of funding for such teams while Federal Emergency Management Agency supervisors scramble to sort out irregularities.

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_4565402

And we rely on FEMA to support units like this? What a joke.

Please visit my anti-war website, www.shockedandawful.com