The availability of weapons of mass destruction - biological, chemical, and radiological - has increased the potential for terrorist incidents in the United States. By delegation of authority from the Attorney General, OJP is helping communities prepare for mass casualty incidents. OJP's Office of State and Local Domestic Preparedness Support (OSLDPS), established in June 1998, provides equipment and training to state and local governments for first responders to terrorist incidents. OSLDPS works closely with the National Domestic Preparedness Office led by the FBI, and with other federal and state agencies, to assess the needs of communities and assist them in preparing to respond to attacks. Other OJP components also play a role in domestic preparedness. BJA sponsors training for state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, NIJ supports the development of counterterrorism technology and equipment, and OVC provides resources for U.S. citizens who are victims of terrorism, at home and abroad.

Funding Opportunities

• The State Domestic Preparedness Equipment Program funds equipment to help fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response units, and other emergency response agencies in all 50 states prepare to respond to in incidents of domestic terrorism. Funding for this program is awarded to a state agency designated by the Governor, which will, in turn, subgrant funds to local first responders. Funds are allocated in accordance with a required statewide needs assessment. The contact person in each state is available through OJP's Website.
• Funds from BJA's Byrne Formula Grant Program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Program can be used to support counterterrorism initiatives, to procure law enforcement equipment, and support multijurisdictional task forces. See Chapter 2 for more information on the Byrne program and Chapter 9 for more information on the LLEBG program.

Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities

• The Center for Domestic Preparedness at Fort McClellan, Alabama (CDP) offers training courses to first responders from across the United States in responding to incidents of domestic terrorism, especially those involving chemical agents and other toxic substances. Also at Fort McClellan, the Public Health Service's Nobel Hospital Training Center offers training to the medical community on responding to terrorism. For more information on training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm.
• The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium provides expertise and training to state and local emergency management officials. The members of the Consortium are the National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, the National Center for Bio-Medical Research and Training at Louisiana State University, the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M, and the National Exercise, Test, and Training Center, Nevada Test Site.
• The Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts Course is available for on-site delivery to interested fire service and emergency medical services agencies. A limited number of slots may also be available for law enforcement personnel. This program is composed of a train-the-trainer course and a self-study terrorism awareness course for first responders. Training under this program is available through Community Research Associates, Nashville, Tennessee at 615/399-9908. Training for firefighters is also available through the National Fire Academy, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA.
• OSLDPS provides jurisdictions technical training in handling equipment purchased under the OSLDPS equipment grant programs. This training is available upon request either through on-site visits, long distance learning, or by hosting responders at training facilities around the country, including the Equipment Training Center at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas. For more information about equipment training, see the OSLDPS Website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm.
• OSLDPS staff and contractors are available to provide technical assistance to help state and local officials assess risks, develop incident response and consequence management plans, train local personnel, and apply for funding. For more information, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/ta.htm.
• BJA sponsors anti-terrorism training for state and local law enforcement officials and prosecutors. The training is designed to build a better understanding of domestic terrorism and the organizations and individuals who commit such acts. For more information, call the BJA Clearinghouse at 1-800/688-4252.

Other Resources

• The Department of Justice has established a National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) to coordinate counterterrorism and domestic preparedness efforts across all federal agencies. Participating agencies include the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy.

• Through a special fund provided for in the 1996 Antiterrorism Act, OVC provides funding, assistance, and compensation to victims of terrorism and mass violence, including Americans victims of terrorism abroad. OVC assists in identifying and coordinating available resources, supports crisis response services in the aftermath of mass violence events, provides updates and briefings to victims and victims' families, and provides emergency funding for funeral costs, travel, mental health counseling, and medical bills. For more information, call the OVC Response Center at 1-800/627-6872.

Additional Information

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) serves as OJP's clearinghouse for information and publications on criminal and juvenile justice related topics, including law enforcement and public safety. By calling NCJRS toll-free at 1-800/688-4252, you can speak with an information specialist who can conduct individualized research and provide you with copies of OJP publications. NCJRS also has a homepage on the World Wide Web at www.ncjrs.org. The site contains the full text of most OJP publications in a searchable format, as well as links to other relevant sites.

For more information, call OJP's Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at 202/307-0703 or the Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800/421-6770.

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