[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2414-S2415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS:
  S. 2077. A bill to make grants to improve public safety in order to 
prepare for and respond to terrorist threats; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, today I am introducing the Securing Our 
States Act. As the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11 taught us 
all too well, our Nation is not as prepared for widespread emergencies 
as it should be. The legislation I am introducing today, Securing Our 
States Act, or SOS Act, will help make our Nation more secure by 
strengthening our first line of defense, the first responders in our 
States and communities.
  As the Presiding Officer is well aware, when a terrorist attack or 
other disaster occurs, it is the State and local police, firefighters, 
and emergency medical personnel who are first on the scene. Nearly 2 
million State and local police, firefighters, emergency medical 
personnel, and others are closest to these challenges. They understand 
best what is needed to respond effectively, and they tell me they need 
improved training, more and better equipment, greater coordination, and 
more exercises. They need them as soon as possible. They are the ones 
who are always on the front lines when disaster strikes.
  Properly trained and equipped, first responders have the greatest 
potential to save lives and limit casualties after a terrorist attack. 
Currently, however, our capabilities for responding to a terrorist 
attack vary widely from community to community, State to State, across 
this great country. Many areas simply have very little capacity to 
respond to a terrorist attack. In fact, most localities could not 
respond effectively to a terrorist attack if weapons of mass 
destruction were used. Even the best prepared States and communities do 
not possess adequate resources to respond to the full range of possible 
terrorist attacks.
  This legislation I am introducing will help by providing much needed 
resources. The SOS Act, which is consistent with the first responders 
proposal in President Bush's budget, will provide $4 billion in 
critically needed funding, an increase of more than 1,000 percent in 
Federal resources that will flow to State and local governments.

[[Page S2415]]

  This bill is designed to accomplish the following objectives: First, 
more resources to States and communities to conduct important planning 
and exercises, purchase equipment, and better train their personnel.
  Second, it would provide flexibility for States and localities to 
address whatever the needs of their particular locality may be. States 
differ in their preparedness, and this would allow flexibility in the 
use of funds.
  Third, another important feature of this bill is its simplicity. We 
need to speed the disbursement of Federal funds to States and 
communities without further delay.
  Fourth, this legislation is designed to promote cooperation across 
the Nation so local, State, Federal, and volunteer networks can operate 
together effectively.
  To achieve these objectives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
known as FEMA, will implement a streamlined and simple procedure 
designed to speed the flow of resources to States and communities. The 
funds may be used for a variety of activities, including planning to 
develop comprehensive plans to prepare for and respond to a terrorist 
attack; equipment to respond more effectively to terrorist attack, 
including personal protective equipment, chemical, and biological 
detectors and interoperable communications gear.
  We want to make sure our emergency personnel can communicate with one 
another. We have learned from the lessons of September 11 that can be a 
devastating problem.
  The legislation would also allow funds to be used for more training 
to enable firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical 
professionals to respond and operate in a chemical or biological 
environment, even a very dangerous environment.
  We need to have more exercises to improve response capabilities, 
practice mutual aid and assess operational improvements and 
deficiencies.
  The legislation I am introducing will help make our Nation safer. 
Nearly 2 million first responders are always there, willing to put 
their lives at risk to save the lives of others and to make our country 
safer. This bill will help these brave men and women do their jobs 
better and will help all of our communities be more secure. The 
benefits of the Securing Our States Act are immediate and widespread 
and the goal is one we can all embrace, the goal of making our Nation 
safer from terrorist attacks while also bolstering everyday response 
capabilities.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
  I yield the floor.
                                 ______