In response to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States,
President George W. Bush established The United States Department of
Homeland Security, appointing Tom Ridge as Secretary, to promote
nationwide emergency preparedness. Intelligence obtained by Homeland
Security confirms that terrorists are working to develop bacteriological,
chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons to launch attacks against the
United States and other free societies around the world.
In October 2002 Secretary Tom Ridge appointed Judge Robert Eckels to the
State and Local Senior Advisory Committee to President Bush's Homeland
Security Advisory Council. As Director of Harris County Office of Homeland
Security and Emergency Management, Judge Eckels has placed all
emergency management services in Harris County under one roof at
Houston TranStar – a model for the nation. Homeland Security's purpose is
to research and promote national emergency preparedness to protect
citizens from terrorism.
For example, Homeland Security's "Get Ready" campaign promotes three
basic emergency preparedness steps discussed at length at the web site:
http://www.ready.gov.
GET READY CAMPAIGN
STEP 1. Make a kit of emergency supplies.
STEP 2. Develop a plan for your family.
STEP 3.Learn about the terrorist tactics, ways and means and how to protect
yourself.
To give form to the spirit of courage, unity, and service of citizens across the
nation following September 11, President Bush also launched the Citizen
Corps initiative to inspire and enable Americans to find effective ways to
serve as volunteers in their communities and country. He called on all
Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives in service to others.
Judge Eckels, in response to the President's initiative, established the Harris
County Citizen Corps (HCCC) to coordinate opportunities available to
volunteers who want to help the community prepare for and respond to
emergencies. HCCC'S goal is to have all citizens participate in making
neighborhoods safer by providing them with the tools and training needed for
preventing and handling threats of terrorism, crime, and disasters of all
kinds.
The Harris County Citizen Corps programs include the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) designed to train people in
neighborhoods, the workplace and schools the basic disaster response
skills like fire suppression, urban search and rescue and medical
operations. The Harris County Citizen Corps' web site, www.
harriscountycitizencorps.com, helps citizens find volunteer and training
opportunities. It offers useful information on how to be better prepared for a
variety of emergency situations. It also allows volunteers to track their hours
as they work toward President Bush's goal.
VICTIM RELIEF, a collaboration of The Victim Assistance Centre and Victim
Relief Ministries of Harris County (VRHC) are participants in the Harris Conty
Citizen Corps training program.
Terrorism
