By Ilan Graff, UCSM Intern
June 23, 2003

Since September 11th, 2001, federal, state, and local agencies have been preoccupied with issues of homeland security. On Sunday, June 8th, 2003, the morning plenary session of the 71st Annual Conference of Mayors was dedicated to a frank discussion of the steps taken thus far on homeland security, as well what lies ahead in securing American metropolitan areas against future disasters.

In evaluating the nation's progress over the past two years, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, Chair of the Conference's Homeland Security Task Force, paraphrased Abraham Lincoln, lamenting that efforts had been burdened by a "pitiful case of the slows."

O'Malley attributed the gradual shift in federal lawmakers' attitudes away from a "dangerous state of denial," and towards more effective policymaking, to the advocacy of the assembled mayors. He reminded those gathered, that their continued efforts were essential if they hoped to reverse the federal government's "contrarian obsession with sending first responder dollars to the secondary responders" at the state level.

The mayor expressed some appreciation for the "bit of progress" that has been made on Capitol Hill. However, he was wary of the type of Congressional thinking that, in the days before the onset of war in Iraq, was prepared to contemplate "sending billions for the defense of Turkey but not a buck for Boston or Baltimore."

The mayor expressed his hope that the federal government would improve the speed, quantity, and means of distribution of homeland security funds, in the face of looming threats to ports, rails, and utilities, which he perceives as still vulnerable to terrorist actions. With a solid foundation of support, he felt that the nation's mayors could continue to work to "Turn America's attention from recovery to prevention."

His address was followed by a presentation from Intrado CEO George Heinrichs. Heinrichs highlighted the effectiveness of his company's Intellicast Target Notification system, capable of making thousands of geographically focused phone calls simultaneously, to notify citizens of a developing emergency. Millions of Americans already live within range of an Intellicast system, and Heinrichs called upon mayors to partner with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to expand that number in the near future. In light of the unpredictable nature of terrorist activity, he observed that such growth could well be invaluable to national security, as traditional means of disseminating information might not be sufficient to meet the unique challenges of the modern era.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley spoke next, sharing their respective experiences with TOPOFF 2. This disaster readiness simulation had been conducted in each of their cities in the preceding months, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FBI, and state and local authorities. Nickels emphasized the importance of first responders and local civic leaders in coping with emergency situations, while Daley focused on the need to clarify and delineate the respective roles of federal and city governments in achieving security. He further stressed the need for effective cooperation between local officials and the Department of Homeland Security, to better protect the American people.

Under Secretary Michael Brown of the Department of Homeland Security was the morning's final speaker. He credited the mayors for their leadership on terrorism, and urged them to be patient, as he and his colleagues worked to incorporate the 204,000 employees and twenty-two departments and agencies that were placed under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security after President Bush authorized its creation in November of 2002.

In response to concerns over the distribution of homeland security funding to cities, Brown reassured the mayors that he, Secretary Ridge, and the Bush administration all "recognize that it's the mayors and local officials who are going to have to help protect the homeland." He touted the release of more than $4.4 billion dollars for security over the past year to state and local authorities, and promised mayors that, "This is just the start. In the upcoming weeks . . . you will see and feel more support from the federal government."

Under Secretary Brown was unwilling, however, to discuss the direct presentation of homeland security funds to cities. He instead urged mayors to "throw away the box," form innovative partnerships with neighboring cities, and demand results from state officials. Mindful of the dangers of redundancy in a grant-making system with too narrow a focus, Brown emphasized the value of fund distribution on "a regional basis built on mutual aid." In his estimation, the key for cities is limiting the money that states can take off the top of federal grant money and force them to rapidly disseminate funds to local authorities.

"It's a new day," he intoned, reminding mayors that the new department's focus extended beyond the prevention of terrorism, and into disaster relief of all stripes. He concluded with a charge to the gathered civic leaders: "We want cities to increase their capabilities and solve their vulnerabilities. You do that in partnership with us, and we will win the war on terrorism."