WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to adopt a special “continuity of operations” plan in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
“All VA medical facilities are open. All VA employees are safe. All VA resources will be dedicated to helping our nation through this emergency,” Principi said.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, VA medical facilities in New York, Washington, Baltimore and Altoona, Pa., were readied to handle casualties. VA personnel are trained to back up the nation’s medical network in emergencies.
VA’s headquarters near the White House was evacuated Tuesday morning and key management personnel shifted to an undisclosed location.
“One of VA’s missions has always been to provide medical backup when community resources are overwhelmed,” Principi said. “We stand ready to provide all assistance through this tragedy.”
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