Isle officials like Bush’s
defense plan

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

A state official supports President Bush's idea of having a modern Civil Defense service with a volunteer program to strengthen homeland security.

Ed Teixeira, vice director of state Civil Defense, said: "We need more volunteers. That is for certain. We could use more volunteers to help us staff 24 hours around the clock for potential terrorist scenarios."

The president addressed the nation yesterday before the two-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Bush pointed out actions the U.S. government has taken to strengthen the country's security and now asks states to develop a modern Civil Defense service that would mirror volunteer firefighter programs.

Paul Takamiya, acting administrator of the Oahu Civil Defense Agency, said, "I think a program like that might serve a purpose in this time because of the current situation.

"It would have to be scoped out," said Takamiya, who questioned what kind of mission the program would follow, how volunteers will be trained and how much of a commitment is needed from those interested.

The president also addressed expansion of the federal AmeriCorps Service program to add more jobs for emergency response.

Dennis Dunn, chairman of the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service, said, "There is a need (to expand) ... to bring in federal dollars when we're hurting."

Bush also encouraged volunteerism in hospitals and military installations.

Brian White, communications manager for Kapiolani Health, said, "Everybody has something to contribute."

If individuals are feeling a sense of helplessness, this is a direct way to feel purposeful, White said.