Undermining America

After 9-11, it was clear that New York's first responders performed heroically. But it was also clear that to better respond to future attacks, first responders in all cities would need better training and additional funding. [Backup Cite]

Bush has proposed an $800 million cut to the Office of Domestic Preparedness, the office that funds first responders – from $4.4 billion in FY04 to $3.5 billion for FY05. [New York Times, 2/3/04, 2/4/04]

Bush's 2005 budget shortchanges firefighters’ by $400 Million.

According to Sen. Charles Schumer, the FY05 budget proposed recently by President Bush would shortchange the USFA Grants to Firefighters Program by $400 million. This program "sends funds directly for activities such as hiring additional firefighting personnel; specialized emergency response training for situations like terrorist attacks; the creation of wellness and fitness programs for firefighters; equipment and facility upgrades; new fire trucks; and fire prevention programs." Bush’s proposed $500 million for FY05 is not only $400 million less than what Congress had authorized, but $250 million less than was authorized for FY04. [Schumer press release, "Schumer: Federal Budget Proposal Stiffs NY Fire Departments by 18 Million Next Year," 3/10/04]

Cities are not receiving alloted federal funding for first responders.

According to a report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 90 percent of cities surveyed had not received any of the $1.5 billion federal fund approved to help local emergency workers prepare for a terrorist strike and other disasters. "Forty-five percent of cities had neither received funds nor been notified that they would." [New York Times, 9/18/03; United States Conference of Mayors Press Release, "Mayors Release New Homeland Security Survey at 72^nd Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors," 1/22/04]

Two years after 9-11 attacks, first responders still unprepared for terrorist attacks.

An August 2003 survey of 190 workers in 43 cities and towns across the country found that, regarding terrorism protection for responders, "many police and fire department representatives felt that they did not know what they need to be protected against, what form of protection is appropriate, or where to look for such protection," according to the survey. [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 2: Community Views of Safety and health Risks and Personal Protection Needs,", 2003]

First Responders Unsure About Effectiveness of Current Protective Technologies.

The survey the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the disease control centers, also found that "participants were unsure how well the available protective technologies will work for anticipated situations….Much of the available hazmat protection is neither designed nor certified for this new role of terrorism response. Participants were unclear how personal protective technology is expected to be used in terrorist events. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the roles of responders in such situations, major questions remain as to exactly where such equipment should be stored, when it should be donned, what tasks should be performed while it is used, and who should make these decisions." [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 2: Community Views of Safety and health Risks and Personal Protection Needs,", 2003]

Communications Systems of First Responders Incompatible.

" …[A] number of police, EMS, and fire departments emphasized strongly that there are fundamental problems with the radio communication systems currently used by emergency responders," according to an August 2003 survey of 190 workers in 43 cities and states across the country by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the disease control centers. "Departments often use incompatible radio systems and cannot communicate easily with each other at the scene of major incidents. This problem affects communications among local departments as well as communications between municipal departments and state or federal agencies. Such communications breakdowns can have severe consequences. For example, incident commanders may have difficulty in maintaining scene control, utilizing forces most effectively, or sharing critical safety information." [ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 2: Community Views of Safety and health Risks and Personal Protection Needs,", 2003]

School Law Enforcement Say They Are Unprepared.

Over "90 percent of survey respondents believe that schools are ‘soft targets’ for potential terrorist attacks," according to a survey of SROS (school law enforcement officers who protect students, school personnel, educational facilities, etc.). In addition:

	Almost 76% feel schools not adequately prepared to respond to school terrorist attack.
	Over 51% said schools don’t have guidelines for change in Homeland Security Color Code.
	Over 55% said school crisis plans inadequate.
	Over 62% said school crisis plans not adequately exercised.
	Over 71% report schools’ staffs haven’t received terrorism-specific training.
	47% of school-based officers say they haven’t received any terrorism-specific training for job. [National Association of School resource Officers, "Funding Decreasing, NASRO, National school-Based Law Enforcement Survey," 8/19/03]