FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DOJ
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2002 202/307-0703
MASSACHUSETTS RECEIVES $3,184,000 FOR
EQUIPMENT
TO RESPOND TO TERRORIST ACTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Justice Department
today announced that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will receive $3,184,000
to enhance its ability to respond to acts of terrorism involving biological or
chemical agents or nuclear, radiological, or explosive materials.? ???????
?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 demonstrate 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 nearly $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:? 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).
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