PrintFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations 202-268-2155
January 7, 2005
News Release No. 05-002
www.usps.com
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE SIGNS NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN
WASHINGTON DC -- The United States Postal Service yesterday joined other federal agencies in signing the National Response Plan, as developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The National Response Plan establishes a standardized approach for all levels of government to work together, to protect citizens and manage homeland security incidents. All Federal departments and agencies that assist during a national incident will use this plan, whether from threats or acts of terrorism, major natural disasters, or man-made emergencies.
"We support a unified approach to emergencies which could challenge our way of life," said USPS Vice President, Emergency Preparedness Henry Pankey.
The National Response Plan is the template used as the basis for the Postal Service's Integrated Emergency Management Plan and Emergency Operations Plan, used to respond to all incidents affecting the Postal Service, including those involving biohazards in the mail.
Under the National Response Plan the Postal Service will also work with other federal departments and agencies on procedures to provide resources -- not immediately required for mail delivery -- for response operations.
Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 142 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider delivering to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.