Clallam gets two weapons in the fight against terrorism

PORT ANGELES -- It looks like a radar gun, runs on six ``C'' batteries and can detect chemical warfare agents in the atmosphere.

And now Clallam County is armed with two of them for potential bioterrorist attacks.

The Port Angeles Fire Department and county Fire District No. 3 in Sequim have each received an APD2000, a portable, hand-held detector that can monitor radiation levels and identify hazardous compounds in the air.

The device, which weighs about six pounds, can help mitigate emergency response if a bioterrorist attack occurs.

``It's getting more and more common to have this equipment,'' Port Angeles Fire Capt. Keith Bogues said Wednesday.

The APD2000 costs close to $10,000 and can simultaneously detect nerve and blister agents, pepper spray and mace.