Testimony
of:
Chief John M. Eversole
Coordinator of Hazardous Materials
Chicago Fire Department
Before the:
Military Research and Development Subcommittee of
The House Committee on National Security
"Federal Response to Domestic Terrorism Involving Weapons of
Mass Destruction - Training for First Responders."
On behalf of the City of Chicago it is an honor to appear before you today to present a
brief overview of our city's preparedness for terrorism through the use of weapons of mass
destruction.
Since the very day after the unconscionable sarin attack on the Tokyo subway we have been
assessing the ability and improving the capabilities of our city to react to such a
situation.
Although we had a strong Incident Command procedure and city employees who are use to
working together, we were not ready for those types of incidents. Our usual sources
were not able to give us immediate knowledge of these war products. We reached out
to the Illinois National Guard and they were most helpful. On very short notice they
were in our city. They taught us the basics and loaned us the equipment to at least
minimally detect the presence of chemical warfare agents.
As time moved on, Congress took initiatives that would begin to prepare our country to
protect its self against this nuclear, biological and chemical threat.
Congressmen, as you are well aware, the implementation of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act has
not been an easy nor fast road. Much had to be learned by everyone. Many local
people expected that the Federal Government would rush in to save the day. Many
states felt that it was their job to save the day. Many Federal people felt no one
but them could save the day. Now, after a long, hard and I believe intelligent look,
we know the truth and the way to success. It will take all of us if we are to
succeed!
Our success in an incident involving weapons of mass destruction will depend upon the
unmatchable capabilities of the Local 1st. Responders. If they are well
trained and reasonably equipped they can protect themselves, their community and can
minimize the overall effects. We dare not wait even a few hours before taking
decisive action. If the Local 1st. Responders are to do this they must be
supported by a significant effort from State and Federal agencies.
Over the past year we have seen a significant effort from the Department of Defense.
The DoD has been limited in what it is allowed to do. The road to successful
implementation has not been smooth. The differences between military and civilian
thinking has been great in some areas. By a long and sometimes heated dialogue we
have been able to work out most of our differences.
I would take this opportunity to publicly commend. Col. Robert Fitton and Mr.
James Warrington. Many people are working on this project, but these are the two
that I deal with most directly. I am sure that Chicago, and in particular me, was
the cause of many Excedrin headaches. Because of these men and their staffs, we are
a long way down the road.
We are moving down that road but we still have a long way to go. ft is time for the
Federal Government to broaden it scope of assistance. We must finish the job of
preparing the Local 1st. Responder. We must adequately equip the Local lst.
Responder. We must establish a long term supply line which will keep our
Local lst. Responders current with the latest intelligence and the newest equipment.
This supply system must be clear to all and readily available to meet our needs.
Very recently we learned that the National Guard will take on a larger role in
preparedness and response. We in Chicago applaud that decision because we have had
nothing but eager cooperation and great success in our dealings with the Illinois National
Guard. They have responded to our call and shown us that they can produce - if just
given the chance!
We, the Local lst. Responders, must work closely with the Guard to determine how
they can best aid us. We need a conduit which will bring from the Federal level, a
regular support system to insure that we are always prepared.
Please remember --- when it happens, the bell will ring in the local fire house.
Firefighters will get on their apparatus, the doors will open and we will answer
the call to destiny. How good we are will determine what is left of our community.
