Tom was recently promoted. He now manages the regional coordinator program and is the official EOC Public Information Officer. Both the Department of Justice and FEMA are providing grants to improve the capabilities of states and local jurisdictions in dealing with the consequences of and response to actual terrorist events. There are also federal grants being provided to other agencies, such as the Department of Health, and local jurisdictions to deal with this threat. In order to bring all efforts together and reach common goals and objectives a new position to manage our programs and coordinate with other agency WMD program managers was recently approved and should be filled soon.
Nothing is farther from fact.
This program is designed to assist communities, not only through funding, but also technical assistance, that are already involved in mitigation and preparedness efforts and have an involved private industry in protecting their citizens and property. Communities that are not willing to demonstrate this type of commitment need not apply. Susan Walker is our primary point of contact for the program although she has received a great deal of help from Don Armstrong, since the three selected communities are in his region. This program remains one of FEMA's highest priorities and should be around for several more years. This will be a voluntary activity for both state and local governments.