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NM DOH All Hazard Incident Management Glossary
Intro | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ Sources
Download: NMDOH_IM_Glossary_May_2008 
Background Level – an average or expected amount of a substance or radioactive material in a specific environment, or typical amounts of substances that occur naturally in an environment.
Bacteria – single-celled organisms that multiply by cell division and that may colonize
or infect humans, plants, or animals.
Basic Life Support Ambulance (BLS) - an ambulance service capable of delivering basic emergency interventions performed by EMS practitioners trained and credentialed to do so, e.g., splinting, bandaging, oxygen administration.
BASIS - Biological Aerosol Sentry and Information System (US DOE)
Behavioral Health Collaborative – The aggregate Collaborative is the group of State agencies, NMDOH included, that until 2005 provided individual funding to support public behavioral health care services. Since that time, the 13 or so funding sources have been merged into one, and has been administered by Value Options, Inc., now known as the State’s single provider entity. The Collaborative, made up of representatives of the state agencies, monitor how services are provided by Value Options. In addition, there are local Behavioral Health Collaboratives explained on this link that coordinate services in local areas: http://www.bhc.state.nm.us/collaboratives.html
BHEM – Bureau of Health Emergency Management (NMDOH) manages the CDC Cooperative Agreement on Public Health Preparedness.
BHO - Border Health Office (NMDOH)
BIA - Bureau of Indian Affairs (US)
Biodegradation – decomposition or breakdown of a substance through the action of microorganisms (such as bacteria or fungi) or other natural physical processes (such as sunlight).
Biologic Monitoring – measuring hazardous substances.
Biological Agent – living organisms, or the materials derived from them that cause disease in, or harm, humans, animals, plants, or cause deterioration of material. Biological agents may be found as liquid droplets, aerosols, or dry powders. A biological agent can be adapted and used as a terrorist weapon, such as anthrax, tularemia, cholera, encephalitis, plague, and botulism. There are three different types of biological agents: bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
Bio-Safety Level – a system for classifying laboratory safety practices, in four levels, by degree of protection provided to personnel, the environment, and the community for laboratories dealing with infectious microorganisms. Laboratories dealing with microorganisms not known to consistently cause disease in healthy humans require no special practices and operate at Bio-Safety Level 1. Laboratories dealing with the most dangerous and exotic microorganisms that pose high risk of life threatening disease require the most stringent practices to protect against contact or release of the microorganisms and operate at Bio-Safety Level 4. (Contrast with Laboratory Levels)
Bioterrorism – the use of a biological agent in a terrorist incident; the intentional use of microorganism or toxins derived from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or plants.
BLM - Bureau of Land Management (US Department of the Interior)
Blood Lead Level – a measurement of lead content in whole blood.
Body Language - the gestures, movements, and mannerisms by which a person communicates with others.
Bronchitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes.
BT - Bioterrorism
BTS – Directorate of Border and Transportation Security - within the US Department
of Homeland Security (US)
