WILMINGTON, Mass., 17 Nov. 2007. Ahura Scientific Inc., maker of handheld systems for chemical identification, has received a large order from the National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs). FirstDefender was selected for deployment to all WMD-CSTs nationwide based on its hand portability, identification of mixed chemicals, and certified MIL-STD 810F ruggedness.
A total of 65 instruments and fiber-optic extension probes will be delivered, valued at $2.6 million. Each of the 55 WMD-CSTs will receive one instrument, with the remaining 10 units deployed to the U.S. Army Chemical School for training and to the Consequence Management Support Center.
FirstDefender is deployed by hazmat teams across the country, including the Fire Departments of New York, Washington, Orlando, and Seattle.
Numerous federal agencies including the U.S. Army, U.S. Customs and Immigration, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are actively using the product, along with more than 150 other agencies in North America, Europe and Asia.
Independently tested by the U.S. Army's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) and NSERP-approved, FirstDefender is available via federal and state grants, the New York State HIRE contract, the GSA schedule, and CEDAP.
