FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? DOJ
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 19, 2002???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 202-307-0703
WARREN, MICHIGAN RECEIVES $310,000 TO PURCHASE
SPECIALIZED TRAINING EQUIPMENT FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS
WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Justice Department announced
today that Warren, Michigan will receive $310,000 to purchase specialized
domestic preparedness training equipment for local hazardous materials, fire
services, law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel.? The award is part of the Department?s
Nunn-Lugar-Domenici (NLD) Domestic Preparedness Program, and will allow the
city to purchase personal protection, detection, and decontamination training
equipment to help emergency responders prepare for terrorist attacks.
?Our nation?s emergency first responders must have
adequate resources, training and support to respond to terrorist attacks.? This program demonstrates this
Administration?s commitment to provide resources and assistance to bolster the
nation?s preparedness,? said Attorney General John Ashcroft.? ?The Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic
Preparedness Program combines equipment acquisition funds with a training and
exercise component that comprehensively addresses the unique challenges facing
this nation?s cities in the fight against terrorism.?
In 1997, the NLD Program identified the nation?s 120
largest cities as a priority to receive training, exercises and equipment funds
to enhance their capacity to respond to weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
incidents.? The program, now administered
by the Department?s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), provides eligible
jurisdictions with a tailored suite of training, exercises and equipment
acquisition support to enhance their capacity to respond to incidents of
terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD).? These funds represent the equipment
component of the NLD initiative.?
The NLD Program was operated by the Department of
Defense (DoD) until October 1, 2000, when it was transferred to the Justice
Department.? DoD completed delivery of
all program elements to 68 of the 120 cities and initiated, but did not
complete, program activities in 37 additional cities.? The Department of Justice?s ODP is completing delivery of
remaining program activities in those 37 sites, and is providing a complete
program to the last 15 cities.?
The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) 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 nearly $250 million in equipment
grants to all 50 states, the territories and the District of Columbia, and has
provided training to more than 100,000 emergency first responders.
For more information on the Office of Domestic Preparedness
(ODP) and other OJP programs, please see OJP's Website at:? 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 or 877-859-8704
(pager).?
###
OJP02270