NCJ Number
203167
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 55 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2003 Pages: 42-44
Editor(s)
Mike Terault
Date Published
September 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Prepositioned Equipment Program (PEP) established by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) grant program providing funds for State and local emergency first responders to make available a broad range of equipment.
Abstract
The Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), assists the Nation’s first responders by establishing reserves of highly specialized equipment at 10 sites across the United States through the ODP funded Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Prepositioned Equipment Program (PEP). PEP provides a broad range of equipment to effectively deal with major disasters or emergencies, such as terrorist incidents involving WMD. PEP includes standardized equipment sets, or pods at sites strategically located throughout the domestic United States and reachable to all areas of the country within 1 to 12 hours. PEP is considered a key element of the overall Federal preparedness effort. Pod contents were developed from items on the Standardized Equipment List 2001 from the Interagency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability and the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team Equipment List. The equipment is organized into eight major categories. Authority to order the movement and transfer of PEP pods rests with DHS. Ongoing training and exercises are conducted to ensure operational readiness of PEP pods and all personnel. Training is provided in multiple subject areas and exercises are integrated with the established ODP WMD domestic preparedness exercise program. PEP provides a safety net to replenish assets for State and local officials during the critical hours following a major incident and provides a vital bridge between first responders and Federal assistance. It exemplifies the best partnership between Federal, State, and local agencies that are committed to protecting the public.