FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODP
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2002
202-307-0703
NEW YORK RECEIVES $8,420,000 FOR EQUIPMENT
TO RESPOND TO TERRORIST ACTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Department of Justice announced today
that the State of New York will receive $8,420,000 to enhance its ability to
respond to acts of terrorism involving biological or chemical agents or
nuclear, radiological, or explosive materials.
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?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.? ?This 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 incidents of domestic terrorism.
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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