(Columbia) July 7, 2005 - A lot of people might not think terrorists would ever target South Carolina, but state law enforcement is not taking any chances.

They've used a huge influx of Federal Homeland Security money to better equip law enforcement, government and emergency agencies.

A mobile command center is one of South Carolina's most impressive tools for law and order. It's bristling with state-of-the-art observation and communications gear. Inside, an expandable conference room. Total cost was nearly $500,000.

If the situation is especially dangerous, SLED agents can roll out an armored SWAT vehicle.

They're just two of the weapons at the state's disposal in the days following 9/11. SLED's Major Ben Thomas says, "Technology changes every minute. And we feel like right now, that we are equipped as well as we can be. But we're always watching for new things and things that will help us be in a better response position."

Since 9/11, SLED has channeled more than $90 million of Federal Homeland Security money into beefing up the state's emergency response capabilities. DHEC and the State Emergency Management Division have also re-aligned their operations to better respond to a crisis situation.

SLED Chief Robert Stewart is in charge of homeland security for the state, he is also in regular contact with national Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Stewart talked with Chertoff Thursday morning, shortly before the alert level in this country was raised to orange for mass transit.

Stewart says that alert is focused primarily on major metro areas - especially rail, bus and subways. Of course, in South Carolina there are no subways, but the state does have Amtrak and the Port of Charleston and the port has been a key area of concentration for the security effort here. Millions of dollars have been spent to make the port less vulnerable.

Mitzi Javers is head of the central Midlands Regional Transit Authority. She said she had gotten alerts from both the national and state Department of Transportation for her drivers to be on heightened awareness and pay especially close attention to any activity that may be out of the ordinary. She said she has 35 drivers on the road who will be covering all areas of the Midlands.

Like many police and sheriff's departments, Columbia police now have staff dedicated to emergency operations. Chief Dean Crisp explains what his department's doing to prepare, "The officers are more trained, and they have a better understanding of how to approach those situations, as well as when you have an incident like the Graniteville situation, officers are very careful to do the right, measured thing instead of just rushing in."

In fact, over the last three years, probably no other emergency in the state tested response readiness quite like January's train crash in Aiken County. Of key importance at that disaster were the HAZ-MAT suits that protected first responders from deadly chlorine gas. Chief Crisp says, "Prior to 9/11, law enforcement and EMS workers had no personal protection equipment or PPE's as we call them. Now, every law enforcement officer in South Carolina and EMS individual has a personal protective ensemble in their vehicle with them, 24-7."

High-tech trucks are only part of the equation. Officers say improved organization, cooperation and information flow make South Carolina better prepared for any situation.

And South Carolina will be tested on that preparation. Law enforcement and government have worked through the state Counter-Terrorism Coordinating Council, a group of more than 30 agencies. Authorities say the state is expecting to carry out a full-scale drill this fall to demonstrate its ability to respond to an emergency. National Homeland Security officials will watch that drill and grade South Carolina on how well the state is prepared.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie

Posted 6:10pm by Chantelle Janelle