US frees $1.3 bln to help respond to terrorism

The US government has freed up $1.3 billion for firefighters and other "first responders" to better equip them to respond to terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security yesterday.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the funds were being made available from the department's 2003 budget "to help better equip and train your dedicated first responders to the threat of terrorism."

In remarks prepared for delivery to the National League of Cities, Ridge said $750 million was being made available for fire departments across the country. The departments must apply for grants, with distribution to begin no later than July.

Another $600 million was made available to help local law enforcement and public safety officials respond to terrorism.

Firefighters and those first to respond to an emergency have been complaining they have not received money for training or supplies.

The Republican-led US Congress has been criticised for being slow to disburse the $3.5 billion promised by President George W. Bush last year for police, firefighters and others at the front lines in any terror attack.

The $1.35 billion announced by Ridge was most of what will be going directly to Homeland Security efforts. Much of the rest of the $3.5 billion is earmarked for law enforcement efforts but not specifically tied to terrorism.

Ridge urged firefighters to use the new money to help with the war on terrorism.

"Establish mutual aid agreements with neighbouring cities or develop new training programmes and buy equipment that can address the threats of chemical or biological terrorist attack," he said.