Office of Domestic Preparedness

Principal component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), charged with preventing and responding to acts of terrorism. The Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), formerly the Office of State and Local Preparedness, is an agency within the Department of Justice responsible for enhancing the capacity of state and local governments to prevent, deter, and respond safely and effectively to acts of domestic terrorism involving chemical, biological, nuclear, and explosive weapons. In this capacity, the ODP provides training, funds for the purchase of equipment, support for the planning and execution of exercises, technical assistance, and other antiterrorism support to assist states and local jurisdictions.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC, demonstrated that responding to catastrophic incidents can rapidly deplete local supplies and equipment. The ODP provides grants to first responders to purchase equipment, as well as training and technical assistance. ODP domestic training includes the Homeland Security Assessment and Strategy Technical Assistance; Terrorism Early Warning Group Replication; Interoperable Communication Technical Assistance; Rapid Assistance Team Technical Assistance; General Technical Assistance; Prevention Technical Assistance and Plans; and Planning Synchronization Technical Assistance.