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HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today recognized the personal contributions that so many courageous people have made of their time, sweat and energy to help victims of last week's attacks. In addition to commending the tremendous efforts and sacrifices made by firefighters, police officers, medical personnel and other search and rescue volunteers, Thompson praised the quick actions of HHS employees in New York City on the day of the attack.

"The HHS response to these tragedies is more than simply funding grants and sending supplies," said Secretary Thompson. "These services are vital, but it is also the personal contributions that help us move together toward healing. I am so proud of the employees of HHS, of how quickly and effectively they responded to these unprecedented attacks."

HHS houses regional offices in New York City. Numerous HHS employees working just blocks from the World Trade Center assisted victims immediately following the attacks by volunteering in first aid centers, organizing blood drives, and securing donated food items.

On Tuesday, Sept. 25, HHS is holding a blood drive to offer employees another opportunity to show their support for victims and to work toward the goal of promoting and maintaining a consistent, adequate national blood supply.

Other HHS highlights include:

• Additional relief funds for disaster-impacted health and social services
• Rotation of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams

HHS announced that more than $126 million is being provided immediately to support services provided in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist-inflicted disasters. The funds are part of a total of $5 billion in funds released by President Bush for disaster relief.

HHS funding includes $55 million to support health care services; $28 million to support mental health services; $25 million to support social services; $10.4 million for environmental hazard control; and $7.75 million to provide and secure medical supplies.

More information is available in a press release at the HHS Web site at www.hhs.gov.

Some of the first DMATs to respond to the need for medical services continue to be rotated home. In addition to a DMAT from the Florida panhandle and relief from the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force, a DMAT of Commissioned Officers from the Public Health Service and a DMAT from California will provide relief to workers in New York City this weekend. These DMATs include private and public sector medical personnel who are made available to city health officials to be deployed as needed in the city.

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