|
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Press Release) - Gov. Bob Wise this morning activated West Virginia's Emergency Operations Center and announced the state's Crisis Management Task Force will convene today.
The actions by Wise - in coordination with state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Joe Martin - respond to the federal Homeland Security Department's announcement that its national threat level has been raised from "Elevated" to "High." The moves also follow President Bush's ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that he has 48 hours to leave Iraq before the U.S. initiates military action.
"These are extraordinary times, and it's imperative that we act quickly and responsibly," Wise said. "We're activating our EOC and calling our Crisis Management Task Force together because we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to ensure the safety of West Virginians."
During a Monday night briefing, federal homeland security officials told Wise and Martin that "no specific threat" has been leveled at West Virginia. However, federal officials are urging all states to heighten security around critical infrastructure.
"Although our state has not specifically been mentioned as a terrorist target, we recognize the seriousness that accompanies raising our national threat level," Wise said. "I'm confident that the law enforcement agencies and first responders in our state will meet any challenges they face."
The national threat level has been raised from Elevated (signified by the color yellow) to High (color orange) on two previous occasions: September 11, 2002, and February 7, 2003.
Representatives from state and federal agencies will be on hand in the state's Emergency Operations Center to monitor activity across the state. The center opened Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. and will be open 24 hours every day until further notice.
Two operational units - a Threat Assessment Team (TAT) and a Threat Management Team (TMT) - also plan to meet. The two groups include state law enforcement, emergency services, and environmental, health and transportation specialists.
The TAT gathers terrorist threat information and evaluates how that information relates to West Virginia and its residents. The TMT plans tactical operations. The two operational groups report their findings to the Crisis Management Task Force, a decision-making body that includes Wise, Martin, law enforcement officials and state agency directors.
| 
