FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Courtney McCarron

202.833.9600

mccarronc@apco911.org

APCO SUPPORTS NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN

January 7, 2005, Washington, DC - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today its support of the National Response Plan.

The National Response Plan was part of the February 2003 Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) - 5 to "align Federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, all-discipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management" by President Bush. The 426-page National Response Plan was presented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the National Governors Association (NGA) yesterday, giving local responders the main responsibility for managing emergencies, with the federal government intervening only when the incident exceeds local or state capabilities.

"The National Response Plan is a good start to achieving true interoperability - federal, state and local agencies working together to protect our citizens in times of emergencies," APCO International President Greg Ballentine said. "We are encouraged that the National Response Plan recognizes the importance of local incident response and look forward to working with the entire emergency response community on protecting our hometowns as well as our homeland."