Findlay, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2000 – The University of Findlay has established the National Center for Terrorism Preparedness as part of its National Center for Excellence in Environmental Management.

This center will develop and maintain a lead role in emergency response training for acts of terrorism involving nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. These so-called weapons of mass destruction, or bioterrorism, will be the main concern of the center.

The training will address the state-of-the-art concepts related to preparation, management and coordination of the response to a terrorist incident. This effort will build on the outstanding program in hazardous substance response and management already developed at UF.

The center’s programs will focus on hospital emergency room personnel; industry, safety and security personnel; small- and medium-sized city and county public service agencies; and law enforcement agencies.

John Winowich has been named director of the new National Center for Terrorism Preparedness. Since 1971, Winowich served in numerous capacities with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, most recently as deputy director of the Criminal

Intelligence and Advanced Technology Section. He also was a special agent, special agent supervisor and criminal information administrator.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from The Ohio State University and has done work toward his law degree at Capital University. He has had special training in terrorism activities. Before coming to UF, Winowich represented the Bureau in a cooperative project with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency in developing an operational plan that would be implemented in the event a terrorist act occurs.