The Department of Defense is confronting the dangers of weapons of mass destruction -- at home as well as abroad.

As part of a national strategy to ensure that federal, state, and local agencies can respond to terrorist incidents involving these weapons, . . .

…DoD is creating Rapid Assessment and Initial Detection, or RAID teams.

These ten, regionally- based teams of National Guardsmen assist civilian authorities in responding to domestic incidents or terrorist attacks involving chemical or biological weapons.

In addition, we’re maximizing the training of first responders …

…the police, firefighters, and medical technicians who are first to respond to an attack involving chemical or biological weapons.

This training is taking place in 120 cities nationwide. As of January 1999, 55 cities had been assessed and training had been completed in 47 cities. In fiscal year 1999, initial visits are being made to 12 additional cities and training will be completed in another 20.

We’re also providing telephone support to cities and communities nationwide.

This support includes a hotline that gives local officials 24-hour access to experts in the event of a chemical or biological emergency.

Related Sites:
* Defense Threat Reduction Agency