This program was aimed at enhancing domestic preparedness to respond to and manage the consequences of potential terrorist weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. A program was designed to build on the existing knowledge and capabilities of local first responders who would deal with personnel who would deal with a WMD incident during the first hours. Funds were also designated for the Public Health Service to help improve cities’ medical response to a WMD incident. Other aspects of the program included systems to provide information and advice to State and local officials and a chemical/biological rapid response team. The Department of Defense (DOD) selected 120 cities to be trained by 2001. These cities represented 22 percent of the United States population and covered at least one city in 38 States and the District of Columbia. By delivering the program to cities based on population size, DOD was replicating training in nearby cities that might be part of the same response system or mutual aid area. DOD is lending rather than giving training equipment to each city. However, these loan agreements in which the city must repair, maintain, and replace equipment, have caused frustration and confusion among local officials. The Domestic Preparedness Program was intended to be an interagency effort with DOD as lead agency. However, it was stated that DOD did not always take advantage of the experience of agencies that were more accustomed to dealing with State and local officials and more knowledgeable of domestic emergency response structures. The many participants, programs, and activities in the counterterrorism area pose a difficult management and coordination challenge to avoid program duplication, fragmentation, and gaps. 7 footnotes and 3 appendices