West Virginia continues to set the standard for homeland security training and technology.  Teamwork among the federal government, the National Guard, the FBI, the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services, West Virginia University, Marshall University, and our first responders across the state has placed the Mountain State at the top of the list for homeland security preparation.  Because of these cooperative working relationships, we are able to share our expertise and the lessons learned in West Virginia with the rest of the country. By preparing today, we can save lives tomorrow.

Our first responders are first line of defense and face many diverse challenges.  Threats can come from near or far, and our first responders must not only contend with flood, fire, search and rescue, but they must also respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials or biological threats.

The West Virginia National Guard is home to some of best training facilities in the nation, facilities that could be adapted to any scenario. West Virginia has been on the front lines of identifying threats and putting in place the resources and expertise to train America's first responders.

The Clarksburg FBI complex is another shining example of matching West Virginia resources and manpower with national law enforcement needs.  Starting in 1999, I worked with the FBI to centralize its identification system containing the fingerprints of criminals and potential terrorists.  This fingerprint database is linked to state and local law enforcement agencies around the country, and alerts police to individuals with outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions, and can provide the critical and timely support to law enforcement needed in today’s digital society.

All Americans, whether they live in rural communities or urban areas, want to know that, if there is a terrorist attack close to their homes, local doctors and nurses are trained to treat the injured. Americans want to know that local firefighters have the capabilities and equipment to handle a chemical or biological attack. Americans want to know that local police officers are trained in identifying and responding to the wide-ranging terrorist attacks that we could face. The country wants to know the answers, and West Virginia is providing them.