Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) would provide new training resources and tools to help local first responders and law enforcement across the country meet growing terrorist threats.
The Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act, H.R. 2188, would ensure that $39 million in grant funding supports training and exercises that help local first responders prepare for and respond to terrorist threats.
“As our enemies grow more sophisticated with every attack, our first responders must have access to the most current training and cutting-edge tools for them to best prepare for and respond to the evolving terrorist threat,” McCaul, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said. “This bill makes significant strides to help communities better prevent threats posed by attacks like we have seen overseas and here at home, including in Dallas, Orlando, San Bernardino, New York and New Jersey.”
Under H.R. 2188, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS services in jurisdictions that currently or previously received Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding would be eligible for grant funding.
Grants could be used to support planning, training and exercises designed to prevent, prepare for or respond to terrorists attacks, including complex coordinated terrorist attacks, active shooters and attacks involving improvised explosive devices.