Massachusetts Anti-Terrorism Advisory Committee (ATAC)

The Massachusetts Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council is co-chaired by United States Attorney and the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Boston Field Division. Its several hundred members include representatives from virtually every federal, state, and local law enforcement authority, as well as private institutions in Massachusetts with a stake in anti-terrorism prevention and response. The current ATAC Coordinator is an AUSA for the District of Massachusetts.

The ATAC’s chief purpose is to help ensure that its members coordinate their terrorism prevention and response efforts. It provides a forum for agencies to congregate and identify potential terrorism links among their investigations; to share information; and to engage in planning efforts.

The full ATAC meets two mornings each year, usually in the spring and fall. At these meetings, individuals and panels of experts provide instruction and share information on terrorism-related subjects.

In addition, an ATAC Steering Committee comprised of the Massachusetts Attorney General; the Boston Police and Fire Commissioners; the Massachusetts State Police Superintendent; the Secretary and Undersecretaries of the Executive Office of Public Safety; Transportation Security Administration’s Chief Security Officer; and the Special-Agents-in-Charge of FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Secret Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) meets monthly -- either in person or by phone -- to share information and coordinate antiterrorism efforts.