Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

August 4, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Surveys First Responders About Homeland Security Needs

RALEIGH -- U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) sent surveys last week to first responders throughout the 2nd Congressional District to evaluate their security needs and the preparedness of the Triangle area for a potential terrorist attack. Etheridge, the only North Carolina Member of Congress on the Select Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives, plans to use the survey to grade the Department of Homeland Security's efforts at securing North Carolina's hometowns.

"Our local first responders serve on the frontlines every day to keep us safe," Etheridge said. "This survey will give me the opportunity to hear from them what the Department of homeland security is doing right and where it needs improvement. I will take the results from this survey back to Congress to the Homeland Security Committee and the leadership to make sure that the Department fulfills its fundamental duty of keeping all citizens safe."

Etheridge's homeland security survey focuses on assessment and preparedness, communication, funding and training. Etheridge has held numerous roundtables and homeland security meetings with police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and others in the wake of 9/11. Etheridge plans to release the results of the survey in late August and will discuss the results with groups of first responders.

Etheridge will take the results and the recommendations of North Carolina's first responders back to Congress to the Select Committee on Homeland Security and the congressional leadership.