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Senator Bruno discusses the Task Force Interim Report at a Capitol Press Conference. |
Details Response to 9/11, Preparations for the Future
Monday, June 17, 2002
The Senate Majority Task Force on State and Local Emergency Preparedness today issued an interim report detailing the legislative, budgetary and other actions taken by the task force in response to the September 11th and anthrax terrorists attacks and to organize and plan effective responses to all types of unexpected disasters.
"This interim report outlines the activity and accomplishments of the Senate�s Emergency Preparedness Task Force from the formation of the task force in the immediate aftermath of September 11th through statewide and local planning to increase our ability to respond to disasters in the future," said Senator James L. Seward, chairman of the task force. "While we have accomplished a great deal, we recognize that by keeping the task force working together and preparing for disasters-- be it the World Trade Center disaster, blizzards upstate or ice storms in the north country-- we can more effectively mitigate potential damage, recover more quickly and help save lives."
"The key to emergency preparedness is having well-trained, well-equipped first responders. By meeting directly with emergency management personnel and gathering input directly from the dedicated first responders who are actually the ones to arrive on the scene of a disaster, we gaining a better understanding of how to prepare our state and localities to deal with future disasters," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "In addition, this information will provide better insight into how emergency responders and government officials at all levels can function more effectively, both on their own and in coordination with other groups."
Helping First Responders
The report details the task force�s progress in holding a series of statewide hearings to gather input directly from first responders, like the personnel at Ground Zero, about existing local disaster plans and what additional training, funding, support and assistance first responders and local entities need to respond to disasters in light of September 11th. Participants addressed the need for improved pre-incident communication and planning to prevent disasters. The key points raise in hearings thus far have highlighted the need for improved communications between agencies; more, better and increasingly interdepartmental training; recruitment and retention issues; more high technology equipment; and the capacity of the public health system.
The report outlines the Senate�s efforts to support volunteer and professional emergency service workers, such as those who were at the forefront of rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. That support continued this year in the form of millions of dollars given directly to help train and equip local first responders, creation of the Senate�s Volunteer Emergency Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act to boost the ranks of firefighter and ambulance volunteers by offering free college tuition, developing the Local Enhanced 911 Program and dedicating $1.5 million annually to the State Emergency Service Revolving Loan Program.
Passing Legislation
The report details the Senate Majority�s effort as part of a coordinated state response to the public�s demand for increased preparedness that also includes the creation by Governor Pataki of a new Office of Public Security and enactment of a package of tough new anti-terrorism laws.
Since the Sept. 11 attack, the state Senate has joined with Governor Pataki in enacting the toughest anti-terrorism laws in the land, including:
- Creating the crime of terrorism
- Making a terrorist threat
- Soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the first degree
- Soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the second degree
- Hindering prosecution of terrorism in the first degree
- Hindering prosecution of terrorism in the second degree
- Revising the death penalty statute
- Falsely reporting an incident
- Placing a false bomb threat
- Increased used of eavesdropping and video surveillance warrants in terrorism cases
- Creating the Emergency Management Assistance Compact
- Theft of official law enforcement or fire department identification
- Chemical or biological weapons possession.
Coordinating Our Capabilities
The report details the fact-finding, information-sharing meetings held by the task force in an attempt to assess and coordinate New York State�s capabilities and preparedness in responding to disasters, including meetings with James Kallstrom, former Director of the New York State Office of Public Safety, James Natoli, Director of the Governor�s Office of State Operations, Edward Jacoby, Director of the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), and officials from the New York State Department of Health. Members of the task force have also toured the Department of Health�s David Axelrod Institute to learn about their capabilities for addressing infectious disease and bio-terrorism and inspected the SEMO underground disaster response coordination bunker.
Planning for the Future
The task force is currently reviewing a variety of initiatives and will continue to hold statewide hearings and meet regularly to review possible fiscal and legislative actions to plan for, prevent and recover from future disasters.
Because of the statewide significance of the issues explored by the special task force, every Majority Senator currently serves as a member. The Executive Committee, including Senators Seward, Mary Lou Rath (R-C, Williamsville), Guy J. Velella (R-C, The Bronx/Westchester), Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), Michael A.L. Balboni (R-C, Mineola), Caesar Trunzo (R-C, Brentwood), James W. Wright (R-C-I, Watertown), Vincent Leibell (R-C, Patterson), Nick Spano (R-C, Westchester) and Thomas Morahan (R, New City) coordinate the task force�s efforts.
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