"War on terror" depletes "domestic army".(Ahead Of The Curve)

ITEM: Police and firefighters "are part of the 'domestic army' ... who will be called upon to respond to the next terrorist attack," noted USA Today for November 29. However, "At least two-thirds of the nation's fire departments are understaffed, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The shortage is worst in rural volunteer departments that have trouble recruiting new members. But many' big and medium-size cities that are more likely to be terrorist targets are also shorthanded. Some, including New York, have had to close fire stations; others, such as Houston, have had temporary, closures. In many cities, response times are slower, and trucks go out with too few firefighters."

"Many big-city police departments such as Cleveland also are bleeding officers," continued the report. "Nationally, the number of police has remained stagnant in recent years.... Staffing problems are being felt coast to coast. New York City, with 23,000 police officers, has lost 1,000 a year for the past three years.... There also are staffing problems at 911 emergency centers. National figures are not available for 911 call-takers and dispatchers, sometimes called the first of the first responders."

According to Steve Souder, director of the 911 Emergency Communications Center for Montgomery, Maryland, staff shortages nationwide have reached a "crisis point."

Layoffs" and attrition have contributed to this crisis among first responders. USA Today made fleeting mention of another significant factor: "The call-up of reservists and National Guard members for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also is taxing police and fire departments. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the National Guard has called up 4,153 police officers and 451 firefighters."

The ...