NCJ Number
193756
Date Published
September 2001
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article provides the purpose and components of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program (NLD-DPP).
Abstract
This program provides training, exercises, and equipment support to enhance the capacity of State and emergency responders and support agencies to prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In 1997, the Department of Defense (DOD) initiated the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program (NLD-DPP) in response to Congressional direction, identifying 120 of the Nation’s most populous cities for participation in the program. The President transferred program responsibility to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Congress provided funding and authority to implement the transfer. Prior to the transfer, DOD completed delivery of all program elements to 68 of the 120 cities and initiated, but did not complete, program activities in 37 additional cities. The DOJ will complete delivery of remaining program activities to those 37 cities, as well as provide complete program assistance to each of the 15 remaining cities not initiated by DOD. ODP developed an updated program targeting the unique needs of each city. The NLD-DPP will combine specialized training assets with jurisdiction-specific assessments, allowing each city to tailor the program to meet its own individual training, exercise, and equipment needs. A nationwide assessment of vulnerability, threat, and risk capabilities, and needs related to terrorist incidents involving WMD is currently being conducted at the State and local levels. Information collected from these assessments will be used to deliver training and exercises tailored to the specific needs of each city. This information will also be used by cities to identify their local WMD equipment needs. Training available to identified cities includes a range of specialized courses, from basic awareness to discipline-specific advanced level training. ODP also supports the planning and conduct of three exercises: a chemical weapons tabletop, a biological weapons tabletop, and a chemical weapons full-scale exercise.