• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence

• Security Menu                     

• Systems
• Industry
• Operations
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Space

Good morning, Chairman Shays, Representative Tierney, Representative DeLauro and members of the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations. My name is Arthur J. Rocque, Jr. and I am the Commissioner of The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. On behalf of the Department, I would like to thank Representative Shays for his efforts on behalf of national security and preparedness against terrorism. The Department appreciates the opportunity this morning to provide the Subcommittee with insight into the Department's abilities to response to incidents involving terrorism.

The mission of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection is to conserve, improve and protect natural resources and the environment of the State of Connecticut. In support of that mission, the Department maintains the capability to respond to and mitigate releases of petroleum products, chemicals and hazardous substances to the environment. To a large degree, this effort is focused on the accidental release of such materials. However, the Department recognizes the potential that biological, chemical or radiological materials may be intentionally released during terrorist acts. The Department's Oil and Chemical Spill Response Division is comprised of a team of 17 Emergency Response Coordinators who maintain a 24-hour emergency response capability. Though use of its 24-hour emergency response center, the Department dispatches personnel in response to needs identified by local and State emergency response providers. In such incidents, the Department's role is to provide technical assistance, resources and equipment to assistant the local on-scene commander in the mitigation and containment of the release.

Members of Department's Oil and Chemical Spill Response Division are all trained to the OSHA 40-hour level and are trained in the Incident Command and Unified Command Systems. In addition, they have received training in such areas as confined space entry, gas detection, and use of Level A Personal Protective Equipment. Each responder is equipped with a 4-wheel drive response vehicle with radio and cellular phone communications, laptop computers with access to CAMEO, protective equipment including self contained breathing apparatus, monitoring devices and basic spill containment equipment. Level A protective equipment can be provided as necessary.

The Division has available forward command posts, a mobile decontamination facility, a mobile laboratory, boats, and emergency containment boom. Other Department programs can provide additional services including the capability to assess air and water impacts and radiological releases. The Department though services with private emergency response contractors can provide additional materials, equipment and resources in these areas.

The Department has provided staff with basic terrorism response training and participated in training exercises with both state and federal agencies. During such events the Department's role is to support the local incident commander and state emergency operations center as needed.

The Department recognizes the need for more extensive local and state training in response to incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. During the initial phases of any such incident, the first responders from the local and state level must be prepared to provide resources and assume on-scene command. Plans that further define the roles of the various local, state and federal agencies need to be fined tuned and exercised. Federal grants to secure equipment would enhance preparedness and response capabilities. However, without funding to support continued training long termed preparedness can not be assured.

During the Department's participation in the Park City Response Tabletop Terrorism Exercise and Symposium on March 24^th, the Department identified the following significant issues that needs to be addressed. First, the roles and responsibilities of all levels of participation including local, state and federal agencies need to be clearly defined including the interaction between the local and state emergency command centers. In order to provide effective communications regarding hazardous material respond operations the Department believes it would be necessary for the Department to staff all command centers.

Second, methods of communication and coordination between hazardous materials responders and other service providers need to be enhanced.

Third, if the Department as a prime hazardous materials responder is to assume an active role in the identification of the type of hazardous substances and biological agents used in Weapons of Mass Destruction incidents, it will require additional training and equipment.

Lastly, the Department must express its reservations regarding the provision of equipment necessary to combat incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction to agencies that will not exercise and use them on routine basis. For example, providing Level A personal protective equipment or gas monitoring meters to individuals who will infrequently use or exercise them can be dangerous to both the individuals and those relying on their services.

In closing, the Department appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Tabletop Terrorism Exercise and Symposium and to provide testimony to your subcommittee this morning. The Department supports the efforts to provide on-going federal funding to enhance local and state first responder ability to deal with incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Department looks forward to assisting you in achieving your efforts to enhance our ability to response to incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction.