EXPANSION OF FIRST RESPONDER DESIGNATION TO FRONT-LINE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
WHEREAS, all municipal agencies such as public works,
transportation, water and sewer, parks and recreation, police and fire work in
tandem on city streets on a daily basis across the nation to provide public
services; and
WHEREAS, in the planning for emergency
preparedness the designation of first responders has been limited to health and
public safety personnel; and
WHEREAS, with additional personnel
designation, municipalities can become better equipped in the delivery and
development of emergency response plans; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland
Security has stated that major cities are considered high density threat
targets for terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, various agencies, in addition
to police and fire departments, would most likely be among the first to suffer,
witness, or be impacted by a terrorist incident, and by virtue of their
proximity, would be compelled to respond in a timely manner,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
by The U.S. Conference of Mayors that the U.S. Congress should by law designate
all municipal government agencies’ front-line employees as first responders
with the same status as that of police and firefighters for the purpose of
being eligible to receive all related federal funding and training for emergency
preparedness.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 