In moments ranging from poig-nant to informative to heated, homeland security took center stage at the NACo 2002 Legislative Conference. In addition to general session speeches and workshops, three key homeland security events punctuated the conference and developed the common theme of working together, not only in times of crisis, but in combating potential future crisis events.
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Although he did not present any new policy statements, Attorney General John Ashcroft addressed a packed house at the delegate luncheon. After receiving a standing ovation from the delegates, Ashcroft acknowledged the important role local governments play as first responders.
“You’re [county officials] responsible at the most important level of government to ensure the capacity of citizens to live.”
His speech was peppered with repeated calls for all levels of government to work together, not only in crisis situations, but also in preparation for potential crises. He reiterated the dedication of the Administration and Department of Justice (DOJ) to working with local officials to combat future terrorist events.
“Necessity is the mother of cooperation,” Ashcroft said. “No single agency, no country, no county and no citizen can do the job alone.”
Ashcroft reminded those in attendance that the war on terrorism is far from over and it will not always be successful but “… we must work together, we must cooperate and we must integrate our operations.”
To that end, Ashcroft produced a laundry list of initiatives and funding the Administration and DOJ have made available to local governments, including $607 million for the procurement of new emergency response equipment.
He indicated that while the Administration and the DOJ continue to foster a sense of cooperation among all government agencies, they also understand and respect the wide variety of local differences while encouraging everyone to work together.
“This Administration has recognized the importance of local governments and I am confident we will strengthen the working relationships with the federal and local governments,” Ashcroft said.
Homeland Security Task Force Meeting
Meeting for the third and final time, the NACo Homeland Security Task Force passed seven resolutions (see the March 25 issue of County News for a complete report), received a legislative update from NACo staff and participated in a question and answer session with two key White House staff.
Michael Byrne, senior director, response and recovery, for the White House Office of Homeland Security, addressed the Task Force about the Administration’s major ideas for the proposed first responders initiative.
Byrne stressed that because different parts of the country are prepared at different levels, the program must be flexible, with the ability to channel resources where they are needed.
“The only chance we have to successfully impact something lies in the hands of the first responders,” Byrne said.
The component of the initiative that drew the most questions and comments from the Task Force is the distribution of the money. It is the plan of the White House to channel the funds through the states for distribution to local governments. The proposed $3.5 billion will be issued as block grants to states based on population, with a floor for small states.
In the Administration plan, 75 percent of the money will be distributed directly to local governments, with the remaining 25 percent staying with the state to meet additional needs and specific risks. The funding will be distributed based on population, although Byrne did indicate that there would be extra funds available to communities with low population and high risk factors.
According to Byrne, the Administration will be holding the governors accountable for distributing the funds, going so far as to require the money be distributed to local governments within 30 days.
“We’re going to hammer that home to the governors,” said Duncan Campbell, director of intergovernmental affairs for the White House Office of Homeland Security. “We’re going to make sure that it is understood that it cannot be the governors deciding everything.”
The Administration is also calling for a 25 percent “soft match” from local governments. The soft match can include overtime hours, training, programs already in existence or the purchase of equipment.
“The president has made a dramatic shift in the budget he has proposed,” Byrne said when questioned about the soft match. “And we thought it only right to ask some of those involved to do the same thing.”
In addition to spending quite a bit of time on the funding, Byrne and Campbell also addressed the idea of mutual aid at length.
“To some, running resources from one point to another is a no brainer,” Byrne said. “But there are real and genuine problems with this and we need to break down the barriers that prevent us from working together.”
Both Byrne and Campbell commented that it was vital to make all levels of public safety and local officials understand that they must work together in the future.
Campbell addressed the idea that the Administration needs to do a better job getting information out to the people, like county officials, who need to have that information. He mentioned the national alert system, which the Administration should be making an announcement about within the next few weeks.
“We’re not looking to impose or mandate this new system for local governments,” Campbell said. “But hopefully it will be adopted locally.”
He also noted that the Office of Homeland Security is building a coordination center so it can tap into state and local emergency management offices.
In closing, Campbell addressed the creation of the state and local advisory committee on homeland security. He assured the Task Force that the White House is still committed to the committee and that it will happen soon.
“We are still committed to this and it will happen,” Campbell said. “And NACo and its members will be represented and in more than one person.”
Before adjourning, many members mentioned their appreciation for the Task Force and asked NACo President Javier Gonzales to consider either continuing the Task Force for a longer period of time or making it a permanent NACo committee. Gonzales said he would take their suggestion under advisement.
First Responders Luncheon
At a luncheon on March 4, the conference delegates were presented with a touching video featuring the thoughts and recollections from a series of county first responders about the events of Sept. 11. With images of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pa., firefighters, health care workers, police officers and county officials recalled their reactions and actions in response to the terrorist attacks.
After the video, which moved several audience members to tears, six of the first responders featured on the video were treated to an extended standing ovation by the audience and presented with plaques to honor their work and dedication. Other first responders in the audience were recognized for their efforts, and their counties will receive plaques as well (see box for a full list of first responder counties).
