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Release Date: 04/08/05 00:00:00
Washington, D.C.
Congressional Fire Services Institute Dinner
April 7, 2005
Secretary Chertoff: (ALREADY IN PROGRESS) - Part of that preparation, and part of that training is listening, and one thing I want to assure right now is that as long as I am Secretary of this Department, I and the people who manage this Department and who lead this Department will listen to you.
Now, as they sometimes say, watch not what I say but what I do. I'm going to give you an example of that right now. I know that an issue that has been debated in the last weeks and months is the issue of the placard system, the placards that go on the side of the train cars that warn first responders about -- there are hazardous materials in that tank car or in that railroad car. And I know that there was a discussion about whether those placards were to be removed in order to minimize the possibility that a terrorist or somebody with bad intent would be able to pick out a railroad car and then somehow launch an attack against it. But I also know, because we listened very closely, how important it is to this community to make sure those placards remain, because when you go out and you confront an emergency and a hazard, you have to know what it is you are facing. You have to know if you've got a chemical problem. You've got to know if there's some kind of explosive problem. And you need to have the kind of warning that those placards give you on the side of those railroad cars.
So we gave this a lot of consideration, and we listened to you, and we heard what you had to say. And based on what we heard and what we studied, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Homeland Security has completed its review of alternate technologies to the current Department of Transportation placard system, and based on our study and based on your input, we are recommending that the Department of Transportation maintain the placard system as it is now.
So I use that as an example of the (inaudible) we try to put in terms of making our judgments on the people in the field who have the real practical responsibility for protecting us and for rescuing us.
Now, it's really a matter of common sense, and I think I want to use this to illustrate a couple of points. First of all, the first element is, this is a very real-world type of decision making we have to do, and that means we really have to pay attention to the experience that people bring to the table when we make that -- these kinds of decisions. And of course, and important part of that experience is the experience that you have.
The second thing is what I call risk management, and I've talked about it before, but I want to use this as an example, again, to reinforce how important this is as a way of conducting our own business here at the Department of Homeland Security, because I understand that the issue that was raised with the placards really contained risks on both sides. I understand that there is a legitimate serious concern about whether by identifying hazardous material, we are giving people a target or a bulls-eye. And that is a real risk we have to weigh. I also understand that we have to consider the need of people who respond, people who respond not only to terrorist threats, but to derailments or accidents that happen at any point in time anywhere in the country, and the need they have to understand the hazards that they are going to face.
And so what we do is we balance the risk, and we look to see whether there are ways we can minimize the risk of the terrorist attack that are consistent with minimizing the risk to the responders as well.
And so our approach to making this decision was to say, let's work on beefing up security, let's work on alternative things we can do to protect our rail system, and at the same time, balance that with keeping the placards in place until some time comes when we have the technology that can both assure you as responders that you will get adequate warning, and also minimize the risk that people will be able to commit an act of terror against our railways.
So that's how we balance risk, and that's why I view this as an example of the kind of philosophy we're going to bring to our decision making.
We want to work with you in other ways. This year, we have $715 million we've put through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for operations and safety equipment. You all have played a critical role in developing the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan which we have rolled out. And again, what's this about? It's about preparation, it's about training, it's about knowing what's the right equipment to have, and making sure that we are ready when and if something happens.
We've also worked with you in Fire Corps, which is the program designed to engage citizens to give you administrative support. So in every way, we have in the past and we look forward in the future to building a relationship with you towards the common goal of protecting us, protecting our families, and, when necessary, rescuing us from peril.
Let me conclude by applauding the work of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, which does a tremendous job of representing the needs and interests of fire and emergency services. I know that your motto is, "So that first responders are never alone," and that is not only, I think, a perfect -- perfectly captures the mission of the institute, but captures our philosophy. You should not be alone, and we will be there with you. (Applause.)
Now, I have a very big job, because I stand at the helm and I work with hundreds of thousands of people as part of the network of people who advance our homeland security in this country. And it truly is a team effort. I look forward, as I discharge my responsibilities with my colleagues at the Department of Homeland Security and with our partners in state and local government and in the private sector, to working with you, seeing you not only in places like Washington at dinners or in meetings, but also I'm going to get out in the field, I look forward to seeing some of you in firehouses or in stations to see and hear from you directly how it is that you do your jobs and what it is you need for us to do, because you are the front line of our response and our rescue when we face our time of greatest need.
So please accept from me personally and from my family, my wife and my children as well, because they're devoted fans of you as well, our heartfelt thanks, our pledge to continue to work with you, and our desire to get to you know you and to be out there and see you in action. Thank you very much.
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Department of Homeland Security Announces Support for Rail Hazmat Placards
This page was last reviewed/modified on 04/08/05 00:00:00.
