FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2003

Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431

Discuss Whether the Federal Government is Providing Enough Assistance to Emergency Agencies

DENVER, CO – U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement on her meeting with first responders from cities and counties in the First Congressional District:

"Following the tragic events of September 11th, as you are keenly aware, the nation began to think much more critically about our ability to respond to the enormous burden and destruction that could result from a terrorist attack on our community.

Up to this point, I have met with local government officials to discuss their needs for responding to catastrophic events in the Denver area and I understand that the state government is conducting ongoing discussions into the preparedness of Colorado's first responders. I commend the state and local governments for their attention to this very important issue.

However, I am concerned that first responders are not receiving the assistance from the federal government that is required to ensure that our response capabilities are truly effective.

As I'm sure you are all aware, there are several existing federal grants available to first responders through various federal agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, Congress will most likely soon be considering a variety of proposals that would help to provide first responders with the critical equipment and training necessary to effectively protect our communities.

This new grant program for first responders could end up including about $3 billion in federal funding. But before it is adopted, Congress has to answer some very difficult questions.

These include some basics like how much money should be authorized and which federal agency should administer the funds. More importantly, they also include some questions that require the direct input of local communities, like the Denver area. Is it better to distribute these funds to the states, or should they go directly to localities? I think two of the most important questions that we face are what are the greatest needs of the first responders and where could they most use assistance?

I am also concerned about the current structure of the federal small pox inoculation program for first responders. There are a number of questions that this program has left unanswered, including concerns about the safety of the vaccine, whether the federal government, states or individual hospitals and agencies will provide health care coverage for people who may become sick from the vaccine and whether hospitals are open to financial liability if someone becomes incapacitated or dies from the vaccine.
For me, the best way to answer these questions is to ask you what you need.
Today, I am here to receive input from you in an effort to determine how the federal government can effectively assist Denver-area first responders in preparing our community for catastrophic events.

I would also like to learn what successes you have had so far in improving the capabilities of the Denver-area first response system. I think some of these accomplishments could be important lessons for a national structure and will help us to better focus on areas for further improvements.

I understand that many discussions have already occurred at the state level, including between the Governor's office and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. I also understand that the Denver Housing Authority has received federal funds for a secure communications infrastructure with the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center. I hope that today's discussion will contribute to this positive momentum and will help to ensure that our region has the resources it needs.”
 
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