Columns

Saturday, September 20, 2003

meeting the growing security needs of our communities

Last month marked the second anniversary of the September 11th attacks. September 11 changed America and affected each and every one of us. While there is no way to know when or where terrorists might strike again, the nation has devoted new attention and resources to securing our homeland.

I am pleased to report that over the last two years, we have been able to secure more than $71 million in federal funds to support these efforts in Iowa. This money has helped the state of Iowa and many Iowa cities and towns implement new terrorism and emergency preparedness plans, recruit and train first responders, and keep the food and water supplies safe from bioterrorism. These improvements will help in the unlikely event of any terrorist incident, and will also fill the urgent need to be prepared for other more common types of emergencies in communities throughout Iowa.

This summer members of my Iowa staff visited each of the state’s 99 counties to talk with local emergency management personnel, firefighters, police, EMS and other officials, and I visited fire stations throughout the state during August.

Through these meetings, I learned that Iowa communities have become much better prepared for terrorist attacks in the last two years. I have helped bring tens of millions of dollars to first responders throughout Iowa for new equipment and training. We also have strengthened Iowa’s public health system, so it can quickly detect and respond to bioterrorism. And we have taken steps to improve food safety and stop agriterrorism, including providing $281 million for the National Animal Disease Lab in Ames.

Unfortunately, Iowa first responders also told me they are frustrated by a lack of communication between the federal, state, and local levels before and during a crisis. Local officials around the state told me that they learn of increased terror alerts from CNN, and that little information comes directly from the Department of Homeland Security. Others expressed concern about a lack of communication between local and state agencies during times of crisis. Developing innovative and effective communication strategies between and among first responders and federal officials is essential to our preparedness.

Public officials also expressed frustration that they must often respond to unclear and costly mandates by the Department of Homeland Security. Directives are often made without specific requirements or spending guidelines. The Department must establish clearer standards. It is essential that emergency managers focus on vital issues instead of bureaucratic busy work. Local officials must have the ability to set priorities based on their needs, as well as nationally-determined preparedness levels.

Overall, Iowa’s first responders need more resources to meet the new demands of a post-9/11 world. Local governments are now responsible to meet additional training requirements for firefighters and paramedics. The increased training requirements come with additional costs for each of the Iowa’s volunteer and professional fire and police departments. Yet the federal government has yet to provide adequate funds to meet these mandates, forcing localities to take resources from equally pressing problems, including methamphetamines and disaster prevention. Proper training for first responders is extremely important, but the federal government must provide the resources to help the local communities meet these new mandates.

In addition, more focus is needed to address the threat of agri-terrorism. I believe that we should commit additional resources to build the capacity of our agricultural first response system, and protect our rural communities and our food supply.

Facing the same crime, drug challenges and other emergencies as they did before September 11th, Iowa’s first responders have done tremendous work to prepare our state and local communities in the unlikely event of a terrorist incident. I believe that the federal government could do even more to support those efforts and make their jobs easier. As a member of the new Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, I am working to make sure enough resources are available to meet the growing needs of our communities. It is essential that we give first responders and local law enforcement the tools they need to effectively combat threats to our communities.