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
 January 18, 2002 Report
 
 
 These are difficult times as many people are struggling in the poor
 economic climate.  As a result of the economic recession and the effects
 of the September 11 terrorism attacks, the State of Wisconsin is facing a
 $1.1 billion deficit.  As Governor, I will be faced with making tough
 choices regarding state programs, but let me assure you, public safety
 will always be at the forefront of my administration.  It is critical to
 make sure Wisconsin is able to withstand any potential terrorist threats,
 that's why I support making sure our local emergency responders are
 adequately equipped and trained.
 
 Below are some of the outreach efforts by various state and local agencies
 in the past week.
 
 FBI Issues Warning
 The FBI is calling on local and state governments and utilities to
 continue their vigilance for any suspicious activities.  The FBI has
 received uncorroborated information indicating that terrorists may be
 using U.S. municipal and state web sites to obtain information regarding
 local energy infrastructures, water utilities, dams and nuclear
 facilities.  Although the FBI possesses no specific threat information, we
 must remain on alert. 
 
 White House Homeland Security Meeting with Governor Ridge 
 I have directed Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Ed Gleason to
 attend a special meeting of state homeland security advisors at the White
 House on January 24.  President Bush will address state officials.  The
 meeting will help build cooperative efforts for homeland security on
 federal and state levels.
 
 County Hazmat Teams Eligible for Equipment Grants
 I have announced today that our 34 county hazardous materials teams in
 Wisconsin are eligible for $340,000 in federal grants to purchase
 terrorism preparedness equipment.  The approval from the federal Office of
 Justice Preparedness means each team can apply for up to $10,000 to buy
 authorized personal protective, detection and monitoring, and
 communications equipment.  This grant results from Wisconsin's aggressive
 efforts to gain federal approval of our Statewide Domestic Preparedness
 Strategic Plan completed last October well ahead of the December 15th
 deadline imposed by Attorney General Ashcroft following September 11.
 Over the next several months, additional grants will be forthcoming that
 will further aid the county hazardous material teams and local units of
 government.
 
 County hazardous materials teams that are eligible for the terrorism
 equipment funding are: Ashland, Barron, Brown, Chippewa, Columbia, Dane,
 Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake,
 Jackson, Juneau, Kenosha, LaCrosse, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon,
 Marinette, Marquette, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano,
 Sheboygan, Vernon, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.
 
 Last year, more than $600,000 worth of equipment grants were distributed
 to multijurisdictional response groups such as bomb squads, regional
 hazardous material teams, the Department of Natural Resources, Capitol
 Police and Wisconsin State Patrol.
 
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Offers Potassium Iodide to States
 I have been asked by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) if Wisconsin
 would like to participate in a program to stockpile potassium iodide (KI)
 to be used in the event of a nuclear release from one of our nuclear power
 plants.  The NRC supports the use of KI as a protective measure for the
 general public within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant.  The NRC has
 found that KI is a reasonable, prudent and inexpensive supplement to
 evacuation and sheltering in place to protect the public during an
 emergency at one of our nuclear power plants.  KI can effectively block
 the uptake of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland, reducing the threat
 of thyroid cancer. The NRC has allocated $800,000 to purchase KI for
 states and is available on a first-come first-served basis. KI has an
 estimated 7-10 year shelf-life.
 
 This morning officials from Pierce, Manitowoc and Kewaunee Counties
 discussed their concerns with Wisconsin Emergency Management and
 Department of Health and Family Services regarding this option and have
 asked for additional time before we make a decision to consider
 stockpiling.
 
 State to Test Readiness for Terrorism in Upcoming Exercises
 Today, terrorism training and exercise specialists from the U.S.
 Department of Justice met with state and Dane County officials to discuss
 plans for two upcoming terrorism exercises. The first exercise is
 scheduled for March 6 and will be followed with a full-scale exercise on
 May 16.  The exercises will test various state agencies and Dane County
 emergency officials on their abilities to respond to a terrorist incident
 in Madison.
 
 New Berlin Initiates Local Homeland Security
 In an effort to involve citizens in local homeland security measures, New
 Berlin Mayor Ted Wysocki has created Vigilance New Berlin.  The main
 objective of the program is to heighten awareness in the community of
 suspicious behaviors.  Training sessions for the general public will be
 held in February.  The plan has three phases; to inventory potential
 buildings that could be the focus of a terrorist attack, assign
 appropriate security at those facilities, and educate the public about
 threats and security issues. The city's efforts are part of Homeland
 Security Director Tom Ridge's call to get communities involved in
 protecting the nation from terrorism. I commend their initiative.
 
 
 
 Wisconsin Towns Association to Discuss Domestic Preparedness
 Homeland security preparations will be the focus at the Urban Towns
 Committee of the Wisconsin Towns Association on January 19.  The meeting
 will be held at the Milwaukee Marriott West in Waukesha.  WEM
 Administrator Ed Gleason and staff will update local officials on state
 preparedness efforts.
 
 State Crime Labs Receive Grant to Strengthen DNA Analysis
 I was pleased to see that U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $661,000
 for Wisconsin's Crime Laboratory Improvement Program.  The labs are
 located in Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau. The grant will help to improve
 DNA sample analysis, upgrade equipment and increase capabilities at these
 labs to aid law enforcement in fighting terrorism.
 
 Testing Suspicious Powders
 The State Lab of Hygiene continues to test suspicious powders for anthrax.
 Since early October, state approved labs have tested 628 samples for
 anthrax, all came back negative.
 During the height of the national anthrax threat, state received over 50
 samples a week, lab technicians are now receiving only a handful of
 samples to test for anthrax on a weekly basis.  Below is a chart from
 Department of Health and Family Services showing the testing for anthrax
 in Wisconsin.
 

 Scott McCallum
 Governor of the State of Wisconsin