The Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response Network
Since the September 11th attacks, the commonwealth has begun to design a public system to prevent and address future acts of terrorism. Federal, state and local officials have identified several prevention and response measures that would benefit through a greater collaboration of public safety resources. No longer will the system rely upon a top-down approach, in which local agencies and emergency responders sometimes found themselves on the bottom looking up at a distant bureaucracy. Rather, this new approach recognizes the critical role of local officials—and residents—and uses an effective network of communication that is intended to prevent future acts of terrorism.
Local cooperation vital
Former state Senator James P. Jajuga, who was recently appointed Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety, has initiated the Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response Network, also known as SATURN. The mission of this new program, which the federal Office of Homeland Security has heralded as a national model, is to bring together intelligence, information-sharing, and first responder networks that will enhance existing public safety infrastructures. SATURN’s success in detecting and preventing terrorist threats will, to a large extent, depend on the coordination of local fire, police and emergency management officials.
Secretary Jajuga, working with U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and many others, developed a strategy in which every community across the commonwealth is outfitted with an authorized anti-terrorism team. The teams, Red (fire), White (emergency management), and Blue (police), are trained in terrorism prevention and response, and are closely linked to the Massachusetts State Police, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office. Every city and town will send a representative from its fire, emergency management, and police departments to receive comprehensive training in terrorism prevention and response. The participants will then train their respective staffs in their city or town.
Information sharing
Databases have been integrated into law enforcement systems that can be accessed by local, state and federal authorities. This enables the Red, White and Blue Teams to distribute real-time alerts about suspicious activities that may be associated with terrorism. If, for example, a threat was uncovered in a small town, the town police department could instantly notify state and federal authorities with specific information pertaining to the suspect(s). Likewise, if a federal or state agency detected a terrorist threat, the Red, White and Blue Team in the community would be alerted, and a previously established action plan would immediately be put into place. This is an improvement on the previous response system, in which many local officials were left out of the information-sharing loop. Similarly, the Team’s ability to promptly disseminate information to other local officials is a tool that will assist response teams around the state.
Aside from relying on local, state and federal resources, SATURN depends on members of the public to provide law enforcement officials with any information they may have regarding terrorist-related activities. A toll free Terrorism Tip Line (1-888-USA-5458), which is administered by the State Police’s Anti-Terrorism Unit, has been established to encourage the public to report any leads related to potential terrorist threats.
I encourage those interested in learning more about this important issue to visit the SATURN website, at www.mass.gov/SATURN. And, as always, please feel free to contact my district office at 413-442-6810 with any state-related concerns you may have.
<< Back
|
Center for Ecological Technology receives Renewable Energy fundsEnvironmental Bond Bill could have long-term impactsEqual Choice bill could help seniors avert nursing homesKeeping an eye on St. Lawrence CementThe Circuit BreakerAll Not So Quiet on the Western TurnpikeOUR COMMON GROUNDNational Park Service considers Housatonic Valley for National Heritage AreaCities and towns should have more input in cell tower locationsNuciforo proposes Auto Pilot Loan Program for low-income families
|
