COMBATING TERRORISM: Intergovernmental Cooperation in the Development of a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness.

摘要

This report is the testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, of the House of Representatives. Patricia A. Dalton, Director, Strategic Issues, of GAO discussed issues critical to successful federal leadership of, assistance to, and partnerships with state and local governments in the area of preparedness for terrorist events. She stated that federal, state, and local governments have a shared responsibility in preparing for catastrophic terrorist attacks. But the initial responsibility falls upon local governments and their organizations such as police, fire departments, emergency medical personnel, and public health agencies which will almost invariably be the first responders to such an occurrence. For its part, the federal government historically has principally provided leadership, training, and funding assistance. In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, for instance, about one-quarter of the $40 billion Emergency Response Fund was dedicated to homeland security, including funds to enhance state and local government preparedness.