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RESOURCES
Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce offers links and info.
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September 12, 2001 Federal Emergency Management Director (FEMA) Joseph Allbaugh started last evening's press briefing about the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington stating the obvious - that New York City was a disaster area. "This afternoon, as you know, the President did declare New York City a disaster," he said solemnly. "As a result of the President's disaster declaration, tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., individuals who have been harmed may call our help line at 1-800-462-9029. We at FEMA will do all that we possibly can. "Every single American lost something today," said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson at a briefing held late yesterday about the Terrorist attacks on the U.S. "And every one of us at this time expresses our deepest sympathy to the victims of today's tragedies, and their families. " From the moment that it learned of these attacks, the Department of Health and Human Services began readying teams and resources to be sent to New York City and the Washington area to meet any needs of state and local officials, he said. The federal government has thus far sent four disaster medical teams to New York City, and three teams to the Washington/Northern Virginia/Baltimore area. The teams each consist of about 35 physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians, all trained to deal with traumatic injuries and other emergency needs. "We've also sent four disaster mortuary operational response teams to New York and three to the greater Washington area," said Thompson. "We're also in the process of shipping a great deal of emergency medical supplies to New York City with the help of the Centers for Disease Control." The United States Public Health Service Commission Corps, which consists of approximately 6,000 health professionals has also been activated. "Our primary job is to make sure Americans, harmed by this tragedy, get the help that they need. We will remain in constant contact with the governors, the mayors, public health officials and other local officials to make sure that all their needs are being met," said Thompson. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta said, "One of the most cherished freedoms is the freedom of movement, the ability to move freely and safely. But today, that freedom was attacked. But we will restore that freedom throughout the national transportation system as soon as possible." Mineta said that terrorist acts are designed to steal the confidence of Americans and he intends to restore any that might have been lost. He ordered the FAA to ground all commercial air traffic until at least this afternoon and diverted approximately 120 aircraft already in flight to Canada. Today Canada closed its airports. As of 6:00 p.m. last night, Amtrak had resumed its passenger rail service and major railroads had taken steps to protect their assets as well. Mineta said the United States Coast Guard is taking all necessary actions to control the movements of all vessels in navigable waters of the United States. Coast Guard helicopters have been assisting with medical and national security tasks and military jets were heard and seen patrolling New York and Long Island airways as early as yesterday afternoon. "Travelers will indeed see increased security measures at our airports, train stations, and other key sites," said Mineta. "There will be higher levels of surveillance, more stringent searches. Airport curbside luggage check-in will no longer be allowed. There will be more security officers in random identification checks. Americans must know that we will restore our national transportation system to a safe and efficient status as quickly as possible. Our system has been severely burdened by the stress of these horrendous attacks, but we will recover." FEMA Director Allbaugh said that eight urban search and rescue task forces from all over the United States have been activated as well as an incident support team. He has named Ted Monette the Federal Coordinating Officer. "These teams we've deployed are especially trained teams from all across the country, comprised of engineers and other technical individuals, with dogs that are trained to handle incidents such as this," he said. FEMA had also put an advanced element team on the scene by last night and the Army Corps of Engineers was already present to handle debris removal. "Our hearts are hurting this evening. Those individuals who have lost loved ones or do not know where their loved ones are, are in our prayers and are in our thoughts, said Allbaugh. Click
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President
Declares NYC