County public health departments say they are ill-prepared to countermine chemical or biological attacks against the public because of insufficient funding and staff, according to a recent survey conducted by NACo, and released by NACo President Javier Gonzales during remarks at the National Press Club, Jan. 28 in Washington, D.C.
The survey, which sought to determine how well-prepared county health officials feel about responding to a bioterrorism or chemical warfare crisis or event, found that less than 10 percent of the respondents felt “fully prepared” to handle a bioterrorism attack. The percentage dropped even further when it came to chemical attacks. Less than 5 percent felt prepared enough to address the fallout from a chemical attack.
Gonzales used results from the survey as part of a major policy speech at the Press Club during which he unveiled a six-point NACo plan for homeland security before the national media. He also called on President George W. Bush to address the plan during the president’s State of the Union Address the next day.
The plan, which reflects the county experience as frontline responders in times of crisis, suggests that Congress and the Administration
1. Establish a Homeland Security Tax Credit.
2. Rebuild the public health system.
3. Approve the Homeland Security Block Grant.
4. Give Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge budget authority.
5. Establish a Homeland Security Fund to provide money to state and local governments.
6. Strengthen the ability of public safety departments to communicate.
The proposed federal tax credit would enable a company to make a direct contribution to homeland security in its community, Gonzales explained. For example, a company could donate directly toward building their county’s security infrastructure. The donation could be used for purchasing fire trucks or police cars, communications equipment or high-tech security for water or power facilities.
The second point in the NACo plan — rebuilding the nation’s public health system — means a long-term commitment from Congress and the Administration. As the NACo survey showed, many local health departments are underfunded and understaffed, and do not feel well prepared to handle a public health emergency.
Gonzales related a conversation with a health director in Iowa that shows how drastic the situation is. “He has no staff. He has no funds. And he has no supplies. … If he were faced with a major public health incident, he said his three-point plan would go something like this: Call for help. Hope someone comes. Stack the bodies in the gymnasium.”
“This is a terrible situation. We can’t continue to risk the health of the American people,” Gonzales intoned. “Improvements must be made immediately.”
Homeland Security Block Grant
NACo first proposed the enactment of a Homeland Security Block Grant, its third point, in October 2001. Gonzales acknowledged that President Bush has already addressed this point when he announced, Jan. 23, a $3.5 billion grant for localities to use in funding anti-terrorism activities. However, Gonzales had one caveat about the proposal: “Our … concern is that this money must be allocated directly to counties and cities. It should not be passed through states. Direct allocation will ensure that the resources are spent on local programs as the president intends and not lost in a state legislature or in state political battles.”
The subject of money figures prominently in the fourth point. Gonzales added NACo’s voice to a growing chorus that believes Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge should be given budget authority. He said: “In Washington, the reality is that money is power. Success in bringing together departments, agencies and other levels of government to implement a comprehensive homeland security plan without the authority to deliver funds is not impossible, but would be extremely difficult.
Homeland Security Fund
The Homeland Security Fund, NACo’s fifth point, would provide a way for all Americans to participate in the war effort. The fund, Gonzales explained, would “supplement, not supplant, federal, state or local funding.”
To provide revenue for the fund and to keep the American public engaged, NACo suggests reprising an idea from the World War II era — selling bonds — Homeland Security Bonds, to be exact. “The Homeland Security Bonds would allow people to participate in the war effort, keeping Americans involved in the struggle and involved in the solution.”
Gonzales relayed another NACo idea to support the fund — a $1 contribution check-off box on income tax returns.
The sixth and final point of NACo’s Call to Action concerns the need for first responders, such as county public safety and emergency personnel, to communicate easily. Towards that end, NACo supports the HERO Act, which would open up more radio communication frequencies to public safety personnel so they communicate with one another across county boundaries, he said.
(For the complete text of President’s Gonzales’ remarks at the National Press Club, CLICK HERE)
