Governor Rell Directs CT Homeland Security Officials

to Review Summary of NWA 253 Failures

Aims to Prevent Similar Communications Breakdown Among

State, Federal Local Homeland Security Partners in Connecticut

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has directed Peter Boynton, the Commissioner of the state’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, to review the declassified summary of intelligence failures surrounding the attempted Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 to reduce the risk of similar communications breakdowns among federal, state and local partners in Connecticut.

            President Obama ordered a review of the human errors and systemic problems that allowed the accused bomber, a Nigerian man, to board the aircraft with explosives hidden in his clothing. A declassified summary of the findings is to be released to the public – and the President’s National Security Advisor, James Jones, has said people will feel “a certain shock” when they realize that the available clues did not prompt action.

            “Our single greatest focus, at every level of government, must always be on protecting our residents,” Governor Rell said. “Although the review of the Northwest 253 incident will focus primarily on problems at the international and federal levels, there will inevitably be lessons we can learn – and apply – at the state level as well. Just like our federal partners, state and local authorities deal with issues such as gathering, sharing and analyzing information about potential threats.

            “The failures that allowed the attempted attack on Northwest 253 to get as far as it did should be ringing alarm bells at every level of government,” the Governor said. “In November, I spoke to a special gathering of homeland security professionals from across our state. One of the very things I spoke of is the challenge of maintaining ‘constant vigilance’ over the long haul since 9/11. We cannot afford to let down our guard because – as the Christmas Day incident proves – those who would threaten our safety have not gone away.

            “Connecticut is home to a state and local ‘fusion center’ – a place where we share the information with our federal homeland security partners,” Governor Rell said. “Together, all levels of government are working together to make sure that information is flowing up and down the chain of command and we have the expertise to deal with the wide variety of threats. Connecticut’s proximity to New York, its number of high-profile locations and its importance as a transportation hub mean that fusion center is a critical – and very busy – place. We want to make sure there are no avoidable breakdowns.”

            At the Governor’s direction, the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will coordinate the review. Federal agencies to be invited to join in the meeting – to be held next week – include the FBI, the Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration. At the state and local levels, agencies to join the session include the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and representatives of municipal police and fire departments.