HR 3161 - MUNICIPAL PREPARATION AND STRATEGIC RESPONSE ACT OF 2001
Section-by-Section Summary

Section 1 - Short Title

Designates the bill as the Municipal Preparation and Strategic Response Act of 2001

Section 2 - Definitions

Defines ‘emergency response units’ for the purpose of this act to mean a State or local emergency response unit, including any fire department, police department or sheriff’s office, paramedic unit, local public health unit or hospital, or any other entity determined by a State or unit of local government to be essential to emergency response and preparedness.

Defines ‘unit of local government’ for the purpose of this act to include any city, county, town, borough, tribe, or other municipality or consortia of local governments.

Section 3 - Findings

Recognizes the need to prepare and coordinate at the local level the ability to safeguard the United States against terrorist attacks

Section 4 - Local Emergency Response and Preparedness Grant Program

Authorizes FEMA to establish grants to units of local government and emergency response units to:

1) Develop strategic response plans that provide for a clearly defined and unified response to a terrorist attack or other catastrophe; coordinate the activities and procedures of various emergency response units; define the relationship, roles, responsibilities, jurisdictions, command structures, and communication protocols of emergency response units; coordinate response procedures with similar emergency response units in neighboring units of local government as well as with State and Federal agencies; identify potential local targets of terrorism and include specific response procedures for each potential target; assess and address threats and outline coordinated response procedures; and identify areas where additional training, equipment, or other assistance is needed to implement such procedures.

2) Prepare and issue reports to units of local government, State Legislatures, and Congress that include recommendations for specific legislative action

3) Conduct public forums or other appropriate activities to educate the public about potential threats and steps the public can take to prepare for them; the contents of the strategic response plans; how to communicate with authorities in the event of an emergency; the location of safe public assembly areas or other emergency shelters; and any other appropriate information

Section 5 - State Emergency Management Coordinators

Directs FEMA to designate for each state a representative to advise units of local government with the development of strategic response plans, act as a liaison between units of local government, and coordinate the sharing of information about federal government initiatives and protocol.

Section 6 - Authorization of Appropriations

Authorizes $1 billion to be appropriated in FY2002 to carry out the Local Emergency Response and Preparedness Grant Program, to remain available until expended.

Section 7 - Firefighter Counterterrorism Grants

Amends the Firefighter Assistance Grant Program to create a new grant category specifically for counterterrorism training and related equipment, and authorizes $250 million to be used specifically for this program with no local matching funds required.

Section 8 - Police Counterterrorism Grants

Amends the COPS Program to create a new grant category specifically for counterterrorism training and related equipment, and authorizes $250 million to be used specifically for this program with no local matching funds required.