The ICS is in use by the vast majority of America's fire departments and will be in place at the scene of a terrorist attack long before state or federal agencies arrive. There should be no exceptions - public safety requires it. Finally, an effective preparedness effort and an effective response to an incident of terrorism requires a planning effort that must involve all levels of government. We can not possibly develop a successful response system without the active participation of all of the responsible agencies, at all levels of government. We should plan together and train together and we should do so with an eye to the fact that we may face a spectrum of incidents or threats, terrorist or non-terrorist.
All agencies working towards an all-risk national response system is what is called for.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for inviting me to testify. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.