A terrorism prevention bill co-sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Murphy was approved today by the House Committee on Homeland Security today.
The Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series Act of 2017 (H.R. 3284) authorizes funding for workshops to be held in cities nationwide to train state and local officials, and the private and non-profit sectors on ways to prevent and respond to complex terrorist attacks.
Orlando hosted a workshop in October 2014.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Murphy and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., Stephanie and Daniel Donovan, R-N.Y.
“Protecting our communities must be a top priority, and the Homeland Security Committee’s approval of our bipartisan bill is a step towards achieving that goal,” Murphy said. “The lessons Orlando learned during its 2014 workshop were critical in the emergency response to the ISIS-inspired Pulse nightclub attack last year. As we work to include Orlando on the list of cities that receive Urban Area Security Initiative funding, these training workshops are another way to help keep Central Florida safe.”
Only cities that have received counterterrorism funding through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program are eligible to host a workshop.
UASI provides grants to cities to buy homeland security equipment, conduct training exercises, strengthen emergency response, and enhance security at vulnerable locations. Orlando received UASI funding in the past—so it is eligible to host a workshop—but has not received funding since 2015.
Murphy has been working with fellow Central Florida Democrats Val Demings, and Darren Soto to get Orlando back on the list of cities that receive UASI funding.
The workshops educate participants on existing preparedness and response plans, help identify federal, state, and local resources available to address funding gaps, encourage information sharing and best practices, and examine health care system and clinical challenges unique to a complex terrorist attacks.
The bill will move to the House floor for a vote and then on to the Senate.
