March 31, 2005   SENATOR COLLINS COMMENDS DHS FOR NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS GOALS   Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins today applauded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for producing the Interim National Preparedness Goal. DHS expects to announce the Goal later today. It will guide federal departments and agencies, state, local and tribal officials, the private sector, non-government organizations and the public in determining how to most effectively and efficiently strengthen preparedness for terrorist attacks and major disasters. “I commend the Department of Homeland Security for issuing an Interim National Preparedness Goal that appears to be the product of careful thought and input from a wide variety of first responders, federal, state, local, and tribal officials, and the private sector,” said Senator Collins. “Like a chain, which relies on each link for its strength, our nation’s security depends upon the preparedness of all states. That is why a national goal, accompanied by national standards and guidelines for state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to follow, is so critically important.” “This concept is the driving force behind my homeland security state grants bill, which will tie the expenditure of homeland security funds to meeting essential preparedness goals,” Senator Collins added. "This means that we as a nation can spend finite homeland security funding smarter and more efficiently. It will also allow states and localities to better identify priorities and fill gaps in their efforts to prepare first responders for the worst-case scenarios. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, of which Senator Collins is the Chairman, is scheduled to consider Senator Collins’ homeland security state grants bill during a business meeting on Wednesday, April 6th.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510