(WASHINGTON, DC) – After listening to concerns from first responders in Kansas about the security needs of their communities and funding shortfalls, Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) responded today by sponsoring legislation today to prepare the nation to respond against terrorist attacks.

“It is important for our nation and community to continue to assess the state of preparedness for responding to terrorism so we can best protect all citizens,” Moore said. “With this bill, we will know for the first time how prepared we are and where additional resources are needed.

The bill, Preparing America to Respond Effectively Act (PREPARE Act), will create a Task Force on Standards for Terrorism Preparedness, which will develop a methodology for local and state governments to use to determine what resources are needed to be prepared for a terrorist attack. The Act also creates dedicated PREPARE Grants to provide every jurisdiction with what it needs to be prepared to defend against terrorist attack, meeting the highest priority needs first. Finally, the Act consolidates all terrorism preparedness grants in one DHS office in order to streamline interaction with state and local officials.

“I have heard from emergency responders that their progress has been stalled due to the slow distribution of funds by federal agencies, and bureaucratic red tape at all levels of government,” Moore said. “We need to address these issues immediately. The PREPARE Act is a comprehensive approach to prepare the nation to respond to acts of terrorism.”

Other provisions in the legislation would improve information sharing and threat warnings, compensate communities for overtime expenses during high threat periods, provide better communications and equipment interoperability, and integrate private companies and the public into response plans. The bipartisan PREPARE Act has 61 cosponsors.

Moore has taken a leadership role in the effort to protect Kansas families against terrorism. On June 30, 2003, he invited 300 Kansas City area emergency preparedness officials to discuss the safety of our region and the nation. Since that time, has participated in several events including the 2nd Annual InfraGard Midwest Infrastructure Security Forum, a discussion with the Association of the U.S. Army and a Regional Homeland Security Briefing sponsored by MARC.