News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 19, 2003
Contact:  Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136;
Alt Contact:  Rob Harper, Washington State Emergency Management Division, 253-512-7005

Gov. Locke Reaffirms State Homeland Security Protections, Highlights Support of National Effort

Gov. Gary Locke today reaffirmed Washington state’s thorough emergency preparedness work and highlighted how the national plan, Operation Liberty Shield, will serve as an extension of the state’s ongoing homeland security effort.

“We remain vigilant in keeping our emergency preparedness levels high and our citizens protected,” Locke said. “As a state with foreign borders, accessible by various modes of transportation and with a number of critical facilities, we understand the preparedness efforts required by Operation Liberty Shield.”

Operation Liberty Shield is a comprehensive national plan designed to increase protection for America’s citizens and infrastructure. The plan was unveiled by Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge in a news conference on Monday.

The governor stressed that state agencies already have emergency preparedness procedures in place. The agencies he highlighted were Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Washington State Department of Information Services. These agencies operate with vital safeguards relating to food security, spill or hazardous material clean-up and potential cyber threats.

“At this time, there is no specific threat to our state. But we are prepared to deal with one should this condition change,” Locke said.

Joining the governor to discuss the state and national security efforts were Maj. Gen. Frank Scoggins, deputy director of the military department, and Chief Ronal Serpas of the Washington State Patrol.

“Operation Liberty Shield is consistent with our work with local and state agencies as well as law enforcement authorities at all levels to assess specific risks and any threats to our critical infrastructures,” said Scoggins.

Just last week the governor applauded the collaborative effort of federal, state and local agencies in their work with regional first responder security training exercises and anti-terrorism programs. Since last September, Washington’s Emergency Management Division has added 30 homeland security programs that have already enrolled hundreds of first responders.

Locke also noted that he will be visiting state military bases this week to show support for area troops and their families. Bases to be visited include Camp Murray, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, all of which are all located in Tacoma.

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