FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODP
TUESDAY,
JULY 2, 2002
202/307-0703
TO RESPOND TO TERRORIST ACTS
“Courageous local police, firefighters and EMTs were
first on the scene in the horror of September 11, and many others like them
will be first on the scene of any future attack.This grant demonstrates the
Administration’s commitment to equipping those on the domestic front lines –
our state and local emergency first responders – to respond to terrorist
attacks,” said Attorney General John Ashcroft.“The grant is an important part
of our nation’s fight against terrorism, and representative of the federal,
state and local cooperation necessary for us to win that fight.”
The funds, awarded by the Department’s Office of
Justice Programs (OJP), will be used to purchase specialized equipment for
emergency response agencies, including law enforcement personnel, fire and
emergency medical services and hazardous materials response units, who are the
first responders to terrorist acts involving weapons of mass destruction
(WMD).The grant is awarded under the FY 2001 State Domestic Preparedness
Equipment Program, administered by OJP’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP).
Using ODP funding, all 50 states, the territories, and
the District of Columbia can purchase a wide array of equipment including
personal protective equipment; chemical, biological or radiological detection
equipment; chemical, biological or radiological decontamination equipment; and
communications equipment.
To qualify for funding, states, territories, and the
District of Columbia first had to conduct a comprehensive assessment of risk,
capabilities and needs related to a potential terrorist attack, and develop a
multi-year Statewide Domestic Preparedness Strategy.States will use their
statewide strategies to guide their spending of these funds.
The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) was
established in Fiscal Year 1998 and is the Justice Department's primary program
office responsible for enhancing the capacity of state and local jurisdictions
to respond to, and mitigate the consequences of, incidents of domestic
terrorism.Since 1998, ODP has provided more than $250 million in equipment
grants to all 50 states, the territories and the District of Columbia.In addition,
ODP provides coordinated training, technical assistance, and support for
federal, state and local preparedness exercises.
For more information on the Office of Domestic
Preparedness (ODP) and other OJP programs, please see OJP's Website at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/.
Media calls should be directed to David Hess in OJP’s
Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at 202/307-0703.
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