Guard Deployments Worry State Officials

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State Officials Worry About Massive Deployment of National Guard Troops to Iraq

The Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040513_1201.html

SEATTLE May 13, 2004 — With so many National Guard troops in Iraq, officials in some states are worried they could be caught short-handed if an emergency flares up at home.

More Guard members are deployed now than have been since the Korean War, about a quarter of the 460,000 nationwide.

Their more frequent and longer overseas deployments "absolutely" affect states' emergency response, said Chris Reynolds, a battalion fire chief in Tampa, Fla., who also teaches disaster management at American Military University.

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Secretary Ridge Addresses National Volunteer Fire Council Meeting

Washington, DC
May 6, 2004
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3534


I've often said that for the homeland to be secure, the hometown must first be secure, so it follows that first responders such as yourselves -- who have been on the front lines protecting our communities for generations -- are integral to the success of protecting our nation against the new threat of terrorism.

At Homeland Security we have worked to provide a framework for emergency preparedness planning that will guide and coordinate the integration of our national response capabilities, but also will ensure that localities and states still have the freedom to make the necessary decisions to ensure the highest level of protection for their citizens. This National Response Plan will pull together all of the current federal response capabilities under a single "all hazards" system for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The plan is being developed with guidance from all stakeholders -- federal government agencies, state, local, and tribal officials, as well as first responders. This working blueprint will enhance our nation's capabilities and unify our efforts to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from potential threats, attacks or disasters.

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