Governor Scott McCallum's Summary of Wisconsin Terrorism Preparedness Efforts for this Week

  Responding to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks:
Wisconsin's Terrorism Preparedness Efforts
November 2, 2001 Report

As a result of a warning from federal officials that terrorists may be
planning a new round of attacks on U.S. targets, we are currently under a
heightened state of alert. The increased security was ordered after I spoke
with National Homeland Security Director Governor Tom Ridge on Monday
afternoon regarding the new warnings.  Law enforcement around the state was
notified of the new threats through the Department of Justice's Time System.
County emergency management directors were also notified about the
heightened awareness and I directed all state agencies and office buildings
to implement tighter security measures. The alert was considered credible,
yet, non-specific.  Contrary to rumors earlier this week, the alert did not
identify Wisconsin as being any more at risk than any of our 50 states.

Protecting our Critical Infrastructure

As a result of the increased security, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has
ordered all nuclear power plants to remain at maximum security.  As a result
of this action all nuclear plants have taken additional protective measures
and are relying on local law enforcement and the State Patrol to assist them
in these efforts. Wisconsin Emergency Management remains in contact nuclear
plant security personnel to ensure the state is prepared to provide any
additional resources they may need. The Coast Guard continues to play an
active role in providing waterside security.
In addition to the increased security at the facilities, the FAA has
established a ten-mile "no-fly" zone around all nuclear plants that extends
through midnight (Eastern time) November 6, 2001.  There are nearly 500
airports nationwide within the 10 mile restriction zone.  Here in Wisconsin,
it affects the closure of one runway at the Manitowoc County Airport and the
Red Wing Airport in Pierce County.  I am aware that this poses a temporary
inconvenience and disruption to local businesses that rely on these
airports; however, the measure is necessary in the short-term to protect the
plants and ensure public safety.
Electric utility fossil plants are also maintaining a heightened level of
security and critical electric transmission facilities are under continuous
patrol.
Homeland Defense
On October 31 representatives from Departments of Natural Resources,
Justice, Transportation, Health and Family Services and Wisconsin Emergency
Management met with their federal counterparts to conduct an assessment of
our terrorism preparedness efforts and to gauge our ability to recover from
a terrorism incident. I personally spent some time with the assessment team
to gain an understanding of their objectives and to pledge our total
cooperation in conducting an honest assessment of our capabilities. Topics
addressed were adequacy of emergency operations plans, personnel,
communications, mutual aid plans, equipment, training, exercises, critical
infrastructure protective measures and appropriate legal authorities.  All
50 states are undergoing this assessment so that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency can advise Governor Ridge, Office of Homeland Security, of
our nation's readiness. .
Wisconsin's top three priorities over the next six months are: 
                1.      Equip and further train our first responders.
                2.      Identify shortfalls in response communities, i.e.,
communications, medical, federal designation of our National Guard Civil
Support Team.
                3.      Continue to monitor and protect our critical
infrastructure, i.e., utilities, highways, government buildings and the
like.
Governor's Terrorism Preparedness Task Force

I believe that it is vital for our citizens to know what the state, Task
Force on Terrorism Preparedness and the law enforcement community are doing
to ensure their safety and that the public health and emergency management
teams across this state are prepared to meet a terrorism threat.  In order
to get this information to the our citizens, Time Warner Cable of Milwaukee
and Charter Communications have graciously donated their airtime to run
public service announcements (PSAs) in which I communicate that information
and direct citizens to the extensive information on our website.  Between
the two companies, the PSAs should reach most cable subscribers across the
state.
 
The Task Force members continue to meet with members of their respective
response communities and will report out on their efforts to the full Task
Force on November 9.  This week, Major General James Blaney, The Adjutant
General of Wisconsin's Air and Army National Guard, met with leaders of the
Wisconsin's federal military community to discuss their response plans and
preparedness efforts. 

The Task Force developed "Frequently Asked Questions About Terrorism", which
can be found at www.wisconsin.gov . 
Statewide Domestic Preparedness Strategic Plan 
On October 31, I was notified that the U.S. Department of Justice had
approved Wisconsin's statewide domestic preparedness strategic plan. The
quick approval means an additional $2,781,000 will be available to be
distributed to local responders to purchase personal protective, detection
and monitoring, and communications equipment.  Wisconsin Emergency
Management submitted the plan on October 25.  I am pleased to report that
Wisconsin is the 10th state in the nation to submit the required federal
plan.  Wisconsin Emergency Management will be prioritizing the equipment
purchases based on the priorities established in the strategic plan to
ensure we get the maximum level of protection from the limited dollars. 

This past Spring I directed that $600K worth of equipment grants be
distributed to multi-jurisdictional response entities, i.e., bomb squads,
regional hazardous material teams, DNR, State Patrol, etc. The focus of
these newly released dollars will go toward high-risk jurisdictions, i.e.,
Milwaukee, Dane, Brown and other counties considered at a higher level of
risk, countywide level B teams, and first responders in areas of the state
not properly equipped.  Over the last several weeks, Wisconsin Emergency
Management has met with a representative group of fire chiefs, sheriffs and
chiefs from law enforcement to ensure we have their concerns taken into
consideration. We will continue our dialogue with these groups to ensure
their needs are reflected in our distribution of equipment grants.

National Guard Call-up 
To help provide support of Operation Noble Eagle, a homeland defense
mission, two Wisconsin Air National Guard units were called up on October
31st.  The troops are from two different Madison wings, 66 members from the
115th Fighter Wing and the seven members of the 176th Fighter Squadron.  The
members will be on active duty at the 115th Fighter Wing's base at Truax
Field or at some undisclosed locations. 
Wisconsin's Rural Bioterrorism Preparedness Project 
During our Moving State Government to Stevens Point this week, I had the
opportunity to tour Saint Michael's Hospital.  Saint Michael's, through the
energy and vision of Dr. Michael Curtis and their hospital staff, is
spearheading "Wisconsin's Rural Bioterrorism Preparedness Project".  The
rural bioterrorism plan will serve as a template for other rural communities
to plan for and respond to such a crisis.  Saint Michael's Hospital is a
leader among health care facilities in the region in hazardous materials
emergencies, mass casualty incidents and emergency medical services. 

Suspicious Letters and Anthrax Threats  

This past week we continued to see a number of suspicious letters and
packages disrupting business and government activities and stretching the
resources of our public safety community. The response protocols to deal
with anthrax continue to be refined and disseminated to all levels of
government and our schools. To date, over 470 tests have been conducted in
Wisconsin and it is important to note that all have tested negative for
anthrax. 

Municipal Security Conference

On November 12 Green Bay's Mayor Paul Jadin will be hosting a Municipal
Security Conference.  The conference will look at the response to terrorism
from the local, state and national perspectives, as well as explore
bioterrorism and other timely topics.

Protecting Our Drinking Water 

During Moving State Government in Wausau this past week, Wisconsin Emergency
Management and the Public Service Commission met with several water
utilities to gain a local perspective on the challenges of protecting our
water supply. 

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is hosting a meeting of water utilities
on November 14.  This meeting, similar to the PSC's efforts with the
telephone and energy utilities held October 3, will provide water utilities
an opportunity to share security practices and other efforts to date.  The
DNR and WEM will also participate in this meeting.  

Aviation Security at our Major Airports 

National Guard airmen and soldiers continue on duty at seven Wisconsin
airports. They are augmenting the security operations at the following
airports: Austin Straubel (Green Bay), Central Wisconsin (Mosinee), Dane
County Regional (Madison), General Mitchell International (Milwaukee), La
Crosse Municipal, Outagamie County (Appleton), and Wittman Regional
(Oshkosh). Our soldiers and airmen will be on duty at these locations for
the next four to six months.

General Aviation Security  

Wisconsin's Department of Transportation's aviation security unit is working
to address security issues with general aviation.  In Wisconsin, we have
over 740 landing facilities statewide with about 150-200 being public
landing airports.  Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics developed General
Aviation Airport Security Recommendation and mailed these to all airport
operators on October 17.

Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection contacted the state crop dusting association and forwarded them
the document "Security Considerations for Agricultural Aircraft Operators"
prepared by the National Agricultural Aviation Association.  These suggested
practices addressed plane, equipment and grounds security.

State Employee and State Building Security   Capitol Police continues to
work with state agencies to raise security levels.  All state agencies have
been very aggressive in meeting tighter security standards that I set on
October 29.