FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CIV
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1998
(202) 616-2765
WWW.USDOJ.GOV TDD
(202) 514-1888
STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Today I would like to talk about another step forward in the federal government's efforts against terrorism.
When a terrorist act strikes the streets or rural areas of America, the first few minutes are very critical. The first people on the scene are often local rescue squads, firefighters and police. They are on the front line. The situation is often chaotic and dangerous. For many victims, what these first responders do in those first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
These first responders do so much, and we have seen them in action. But they need to be supported by proper plans, training and equipment to do the job right. The federal government must be a full partner in this effort. And we need to make state and local governments a full partner in the planning effort, since they know what they need there at the front line.
For nearly a year, we have been working with other agencies to help state and local governments better respond to terrorist attacks. Now, under a new agreement, the Justice Department will establish a new National Domestic Preparedness Office, staffed in part by officials from a variety of federal agencies. This office will be housed within the FBI, and will assume overall responsibility for coordinating the government's efforts to prepare America's communities for terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction.
I want this new office to be a center for assistance and solutions, not a new bureaucracy. It will be a focal point for helping communities prepare for attacks, and it will offer them a new, more streamlined process for getting federal assistance, for learning about the newest methods. We want to work with them in every way we possibly can.
Our efforts will begin by drawing on the Federal Emergency Management's Agency's, better known as FEMA's, Federal Response Plan, which is supported by 27 agencies and the American Red Cross. FEMA has developed a successful approach for dealing with natural disasters and other emergencies, and we want to build on the excellent work that they have done. We will draw upon state and local plans and expertise to assist us in establishing priorities for federally-provided equipment, training, planning and exercise support.
We will begin with two important initiatives. First, we are going to coordinate the establishment of training standards to meet the needs of first responders. We will work with our state and local partners to ensure that they have the latest, best thinking on what to do when the actions they take in a few seconds can truly save lives. We will also focus on the critical issue of equipment, to identify local needs and develop a standardized list for communities across the country. These two steps will help ensure that our assistance is better targeted and more effective than ever before.
We are not interested in a top-down, one-size-fits-all solution. We are going to work directly with an advisory group of local law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, public health organizations, and state and local officials. Today we are unveiling our plan for a full partnership in the fight against terrorism. Next week we will begin contacting state and local leaders to ask for their help and their input. If we can do this the right way, we will make a difference and help save lives the next time a terrorist strikes.
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