STATEMENT BY SECRETARY RIDGE ON LOWERING THE THREAT LEVEL

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HOMELAND SECURITY HELPS TRAIN CITIZENS FOR EMERGENCIES WITH $19 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the availability of $19 million in grant money to train citizens to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities through local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Brown made the announcement at a meeting with CERT members from the city of Olathe, Kan., who assisted first responders after tornadoes devastated areas of Kansas earlier this month.  more

FACT SHEET:  Community Emergency Response Teams

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies occur, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.  more

REMARKS BY SECRETARY RIDGE AT THE MEDIA SECURITY AND RELIABILITY COUNCIL

SECRETARY RIDGE - We need to protect those means by which we communicate timely and accurate information to the public during periods of crisis, and so we're going to stick around a little bit longer and benefit from your discussion of best practices. I mean, we think the work you've done, we suspect has immediate application to that point.  more

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY RIDGE ON RAISING THE THREAT LEVEL

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FUNDS AWARDED TO OKLAHOMA FIRST RESPONDERS

Today Governor Brad Henry announced the awards for the initial phase of the Oklahoma First Responder Equipment Program. The program is a multi-phased approach to providing equipment, training and other support to first responders in Oklahoma.  more