Baldacci, local officials discuss security

U.S. Rep. John Baldacci met with state and local health, law enforcement and emergency response officials in Augusta on Friday.

Early in the day, Baldacci was joined by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen for a tour and discussion at Camp Keyes with Maine Emergency Management Agency officials.

Baldacci then met with nearly 50 county commissioners, sheriffs and chiefs of police at the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department. After that meeting, he held discussions with representatives from the Maine Bureau of Health and other health care organizations at the Key Plaza Building.

Baldacci said the meetings highlighted the need for:

. Strong lines of communications between all levels of government;

. Rapid dissemination of accurate and thorough information between government sources and those involved in law enforcement, emergency response and health care; and,

. Close coordination of activities to identify and prepare for potential terrorist threats.

“It is vitally important for federal officials to do everything we can to share information and to assess the needs of those on the front lines of law enforcement and emergency response,” Baldacci said later in a prepared statement.