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

 
Wisconsin's Terrorism Preparedness Efforts
January 11, 2002 Report


Today marks the 4-month anniversary of September 11.  A day that has forever
changed the world we live in.  The terrorism attacks on the World Trade
Center and Pentagon, the subsequent anthrax contamination, and the war in
Afghanistan has forced us to increase security, examine our potential
targets in our communities, and plan for the unthinkable.

Fortunately, Wisconsin has been at the forefront of making sure our
emergency responders are prepared and measures are in place to help prevent
such tragedies.  The years of planning have helped provide assurances to
Wisconsin citizens during this time of uncertainty.  Though we look forward
to a new year hopefully bringing closure to the horrific events of September
11, 2001, we must remain vigilant and pro-active in our terrorism
preparedness in Wisconsin.  That is why I am proposing the following
Domestic Security Package:

McCallum Domestic Security Package - January 2002
It is critical to make sure local emergency responders are adequately
equipped and trained and that local emergency agencies are able to
communicate and share critical information.  This initiative will strengthen
Wisconsin's capacity to enhance domestic security and combat terrorist
activities.

        *       Provides $500,000 in FY03 to support the development of the
statewide trauma system.  In a major medical emergency, the regional trauma
system would broaden capacity of the response and enhance communications.

        *       Provides $3.6 million in grants to local governments for
purchasing first responder equipment, terrorism training, communications and
surveillance equipment.

        *       Provides additional state positions and funding for
epidemiologists, the State Lab of Hygiene and the Capitol Police.

        *       Creates a cabinet-level Domestic Security coordinator.

Below are some of the outreach efforts by various state and local agencies
in the past week.

FBI Extends Alert
Last week law enforcement agencies nationwide were advised to stay on
heightened alert until March 11, 2002, which will mark the 6th month
anniversary of the September hijackings and bombings.  Federal officials
assured law enforcement that the continued alert is not due to any specific
new threat. 

Report from Governor's Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness
Members of the Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness have been working with
their various organizations and agencies in assessing current capabilities
to terrorism threats and responses.  On January 10, the Task Force met to
update members on their respective efforts.  Key points included:

        *       Training and equipment of our emergency responders continues
to be one of the highest priorities.

        *       The use of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Network (WILENET)
continues to grow in effectiveness.  The network links law enforcement and
public safety officials to provide immediate critical information.

        *       The American Red Cross reported that the nation currently
has a seven-day inventory of blood supplies.  Prior to September 11, they
maintained a three-day supply.  The Red Cross is also building a strategic
reserve of blood supplies that includes freezing some blood supplies. 

        *       Department of Electronic Government held its first cyber
security conference on January 10.  Participants learned how to assess their
vulnerabilities and that there are two areas of concern regarding cyber
security - the threat of hackers and the impacts caused by disasters.

        *       Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
(DATCP) is working with other regional states in improving coordination and
communication with regards to transporting livestock across state lines.  On
January 23-24, 2002, representatives from DATCP and Wisconsin Emergency
Management will meet in Chicago with their counterparts from Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina and Missouri to discuss a regional
emergency response plan for animal disease emergencies and a regional
electronic system to track animal shipment and monitor disease outbreaks.
Additionally, the Midwestern Governor's Conference plans to hold a summit on
agro terrorism to be held later this year.

        *       Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) is working
on a state response plan to address mental health services following a major
emergency.

        *       DHFS provided an update on the Potassium Iodide (KI) issue
as an additional protective measure to evacuations and sheltering for those
who live near a nuclear power plant.  On January 18, Wisconsin Emergency
Management and DHFS will discuss potentially stockpiling KI with Kewaunee,
Manitowoc and Pierce County officials.

        *       The Interagency Work Group on Terrorism briefed the Task
Force on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assessment.  The
assessment was conducted with federal and state officials in October to look
at the state's readiness to respond and recover from a catastrophic event.
The work group is developing recommendations to address some of the state's
weaknesses.  Strengths noted in the report include:
                        *       Critical Infrastructure Assessment
                        *       Credible Threat Information
                        *       Command and Control
                        *       Mutual Aid Plans
                        *       Public Information

Areas requiring strengthening include:
                        *       Health and Medical Response, Testing and
Equipment
                        *       Communications
                        *       Training

The next Governor's Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness meeting will be on
Tuesday, February 19, 2002.

The Vital Role of Our Volunteer Agencies in Disasters
Volunteer organizations play a critical role during emergencies.  Whether
providing meals and shelter, search and rescue, emergency communications, or
other functions, the services they provide are invaluable.  To help improve
coordination and communication between these organizations, Wisconsin
Emergency Management (WEM) held a meeting on January 8.  Representatives
from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Civil Air Patrol, RACES,
American Legion, canine search and rescue, and several interfaith
organizations discussed what services they could provide during a disaster
or emergency. 

This week WEM notified county emergency management directors about the
American Legion's initiative to provide support during emergencies and
disasters.  The American Legion wants to foster a partnership with local
emergency managers to provide a variety of assistance including clerical,
medical and logistics.  The American Legion has over 74,000 members and 500
legion posts throughout the state.

Downsizing National Guard Presence at Airports
With the end of the holiday travel season, the Wisconsin National Guard has
downsized the number of troops stationed at nine airports around the state
to 93.  In mid-November, President Bush urged states to beef up the National
Guard presence in their airports in anticipation of holiday travel from
Thanksgiving until after New Year's.  Wisconsin had 120 soldiers patrolling
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (Eau Claire), Rhinelander/Oneida County
Airport, 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).  The remaining troops will withdraw from airports by March 31,
2002.

Wisconsin Towns Association to Discuss Domestic Preparedness
To help explain homeland security preparedness, Wisconsin Emergency
Management Administrator Ed Gleason and staff will address members of the
Urban Towns Committee of the Wisconsin Towns Association on January 19.  The
meeting will be held at the Milwaukee Marriott West in Waukesha.

State Supreme Court Selects Officials To Attend Terrorism Conference
Chief Judge Michael Skwierawski of Milwaukee County and District Court
Administrator Steven Steadman of La Crosse County will participate in a
national bioterrorism conference for court leaders in Oakland, CA on January
17-19.  The conference will provide information with regards to scientific,
legal and security issues.

Educating School Administrators About Crisis Management
Wisconsin Emergency Management will provide a one-day training to Wisconsin
school administrators in Madison this spring.  The topics covered will
include disaster exercise planning and crisis communications.

Scott McCallum
Governor of the State of Wisconsin