Situation Report to the Governor on Terrorism Preparedness/Threats #3

Fwded FYI.
73 de Mack N9NTB

-----Original Message-----
From: Heggestad, Holly On Behalf Of Gleason, Edward
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 3:39 PM
To: *DMA-WEM CO DIR; *DMA-WEM Central; *DMA-WEM Regional Offices;
*Legislative All Assembly; *Legislative All Senate; Albert, Phil;

Subject: Situation Report on Terrorism Preparedness/Threats #3 

STATE OF WISCONSIN
\
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS
Wisconsin Emergency Management

2400 Wright St
P.O. Box 7865
Madison, WI 53707-7865
Telephone (608) 242-3232
Facsimile (608) 242-3247
24 Hour Emergency Hotline: 1-800-943-0003
 

DATE:   October 12, 2001

TO:             Governor Scott McCallum

FROM:   Ed Gleason
                Administrator

SUBJECT:        SITUATION REPORT ON TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS/THREATS #3

Last evening, the FBI placed our nation's law enforcement on the highest
level of alert.  This was done due to non-specific but credible threats
being evaluated by our intelligence community. The FBI continues to report
that there are no specific threats in Wisconsin. 

The anthrax case in Florida, and now New York, has resulted in a heightened
awareness on the part of our citizens.  This has resulted in a number of
cases requiring lab analysis during the past week.  We have had reports from
Outagamie, Dane, Trempealeau, Waukesha, Brown and Milwaukee Counties
requiring a public health response to an unknown matter.  Due to the number
of calls that have come in the last several days, and to date, all have
tested negative; we are going to clarify procedures used by hazmat, law
enforcement and public health responders when dealing with an unknown
matter. On October 11, we forwarded to all counties and state agencies the
U.S. Postal Service tips on handling mail suspected of containing Anthrax. 

On Monday, Governor McCallum directed that all agencies follow uniform
security procedures for employee and building security.  The security plan
will be comprised of a series of steps to take to strengthen security for
our employees and buildings.  Additionally this week, Capitol Police
restricted access to the Capitol and have uniformed guards checking all
people entering the Capitol.  Cement barricades were also placed to restrict
access to the portico areas around the Capitol.

On October 11, the Domestic Preparedness Task Force met for the first in the
Governor's conference room.  In the next few weeks, Task Force members will
meet with others in their respective response communities to identify
strengths and where there may be gaps. The Task Force will act on
recommendations as they become viable. The next meeting of the Task Force is
tentatively set for November 9.

On October 16, Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Department of Health
and Family Services will brief legislators on the terrorism threat and steps
taken by the public health community to meet this threat.  


The FBI has requested a meeting with Department of Natural Resources
personnel to discuss security and safety issues and alerts given to public
drinking water facilities.  The Public Service Commission will also work
with DNR to ensure that our water utilities are secure. 

On Thursday, October 11, the City of Madison and Dane County held a tabletop
exercise focusing on a release of a biological agent.  More than 150
participants representing federal, state and local agencies participated in
the exercises.  State agencies participating included WEM, DMA, DATCP,
DOT/WSP, Lab of Hygiene, DHFS and DNR. The state is scheduled to conduct two
terrorism exercises next spring including participating in a full-scale
exercise with Dane County in April 2002.

There have been no new call-ups of units of the Wisconsin National Guard.
Currently, approximately 100 Air and Army Guard members have been activated
to provide security at seven Wisconsin airports and other undisclosed
security missions.