By Ed Somers
January 31, 2005

On January 19, outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Tom Ridge thanked the nation's mayors for their leadership in securing the homeland, and said that the Conference of Mayors is among "the best allies the Department has" in preventing and responding to potential attacks.

In introducing Ridge, Conference President Akron Mayor Don L. Plusquellic cited significant progress on homeland security and said, "While we have not always agreed on the best way to get funding to local first responders, Secretary Ridge has always been willing to work with us on improving the state-based distribution system." He thanked the Secretary for forming the special DHS funding task force, and for supporting increased resources for high-threat areas.

The Secretary said he believes that mayors are using federal dollars in "very appropriate, very innovative ways." He also credited mayors for using funds to build an infrastructure that helps cities respond to both terrorism events and natural disasters, such as the recent train disaster that impacted South Carolina and Georgia.

On the issue of funding, Ridge said, "there is no disagreement that you need additional dollars to our state and local first responders." He expressed serious concern that because of restrictive federal rules and regulations, $4.6 billion in funding provided in FY 2002- FY 2004 has yet to be distributed to local first responders. "You all want it, you all could use it, there is a need for it," the Secretary added.

Ridge commended the Conference and Plusquellic for working with the special DHS task force that recommended a number of changes to the program, including a change for FY 2005 that will suspend the requirement that most cities provide up-front money and then seek reimbursement.

However, the Secretary pointed out that this waiver does not apply to previous funding, or future funding, and urged mayors to look at state and local rules which could be amended to make access to funding easier and quicker, as recommended by the DHS task force.

Secretary Ridge also commend the mayors for working with DHS on the recently released National Response Plan, the new Homeland Security Information Network, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, new interoperability standards, the U.S.VISIT program, and increased screening of container ships.