Committee on Homeland Security and Gover

Frontline Response to Terrorism in America Committee on Homeland Security and Gover

Since September 11, 2001 (9/11), the Federal Government has worked hard to ensure that those on the front lines in the United States-police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel-are better prepared to help prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters. For example, the Federal government has helped local officials develop response plans for mass casualty events. We have also helped train thousands of law enforcement officers. And we have helped build a network of fusion centers to deliver more timely information to first responders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has about $1.6 billion appropriated for grants and the Department of Justice (DOJ) has appropriated about half a billion dollars. That is about $2 billion that is allocate for grants to help first responders. It sounds like a lot of money, but in a Federal budget that is starting to approach almost four thousand billion dollars-it is about $3.7 trillion right now-that is about 0.05 percent of our Federal budget. The tragedies in Paris, Boston, Chattanooga, and San Bernardino are a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant and ensure as best we can that our first responders are ready for anything that might come their way. Today's terrorist threats are very different from those that we experienced on 9/11. One or two people with an assault weapon or a homemade bomb can create unimaginable havoc and throw a whole city into chaos and turmoil.