Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 9, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Unveils State Homeland Security Plan

Gov. Gary Locke today introduced the Washington Statewide Homeland Security Strategic Plan which focuses state and federal resources to further secure and safeguard the state.

The Washington Military Department prepared the plan during the past six months with the extensive involvement of citizens, businesses, non-profit organizations, tribal nations and local, state and federal government agencies. The plan was submitted Dec. 30 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“The new Washington Statewide Homeland Security Strategic Plan is another major step in the state’s continuing effort to prevent, prepare and respond to the threat of terrorism,” Locke said.

Strategic objectives of the plan include:

· Reducing Washington’s vulnerability to terrorism;
· Defending against, deterring, dissuading and preventing terrorist attacks from occurring within Washington state;
· Preparing citizens, governments, tribal nations and businesses at all levels to effectively respond in the event of a terrorist attack; and
· Minimizing the damage and effectively responding to and recovering from attacks that may occur.

“This strategic plan is a historic and unprecedented undertaking,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, director of the Washington Military Department. “It provides the framework through which we will strengthen our ability to defend against, deter, dissuade and ultimately respond to and recover from terrorist attacks in the state of Washington.”

To date, federal homeland security assistance has been restricted to training and equipping emergency responders and has not been available for vulnerability and capability assessments or strategic initiatives. The state’s new homeland security plan will be used to guide the use of new federal funds.

“We need a clear and overarching strategy if we are to address the full spectrum of our state homeland security needs,” Lowenberg said. “This strategic plan, along with other state and local plans, forms an important foundation for the thoughtful, orderly allocation of resources for domestic security requirements.”

Strategic homeland security priorities in the state’s new plan include:

· Focusing and sharing intelligence information among public and private sector entities;
· Enhancing healthcare and public health systems to ensure capacity for emergencies and large-scale disasters;
· Training, equipping, and exercising emergency responders to assure their readiness for complex emergency responses;
· Assessing and protecting key assets and critical infrastructure, including interdependent physical and cyber information systems;
· Planning for and assuring continuity of government and business operations before, during and after large-scale disasters;
· Assuring elected officials, community and business leaders, volunteers and citizens are well informed and fully prepared to operate in an emergency environment;
· Protecting and assuring the continuous functioning of interoperable communications and public safety information systems; and
· Executing proactive deterrence, preemption and prevention initiatives.

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Related Links:
- Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division

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