Colorado Office of Preparedness, Security, and Fire Safety (OPSFS)
Colorado's Office of Preparedness, Security, and Fire Safety (OPSFS) was created by an emergency Executive Order issued by Governor Bill Owens on November 7, 2001, in response to the horrendous terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. These unexpected terrorist attacks, which were heretofore considered highly improbable, identified a critical need to bring focus and structure to terrorism prevention and preparedness planning within Colorado. The Office was also created in anticipation of being a necessary conduit for supporting the future counterterrorism activities and programs of the Department of Homeland Security.
The mission of OPSFS, in coordination with other public and private sector organizations, is to promote prevention, preparedness, communications, and counterterrorism intelligence sharing capabilities and enhance the Colorado crisis management structure to combat domestic and international terrorism. The strategy will include: implementing measures to reduce our vulnerabilities; deterring terrorism through clear public policy; enhancing the rapid and effective response to threates or actual terrorist acts; and developing sufficient capabilities to combat and manage the consequences of terrorist incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Colorado's Office of Preparedness, Security, and Fire Safety (OPSFS)