Thursday, July 21, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson or Jessica Robinson, (573) 751-0290
Blunt Signs Executive Order to Streamline Homeland Security Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY— In keeping his campaign promise to streamline homeland security efforts, Gov. Matt Blunt today signed an executive order formalizing his previously executed merger of homeland security responsibilities into the Department of Public Safety and establishing the Homeland Security Advisory Council to examine current state and local homeland security plans.
"Missouri must be proactive and innovative in preparing for and protecting our citizens from acts of terrorism and have the ability to respond and mitigate the effects of both natural and man-made disasters," Blunt said. "Today’s efforts seek to put a cohesive command structure in place and establish meaningful goals with cooperation from all executive agencies that play a role in homeland security."
Missouri Director of Public Safety Mark James will chair the 17-member council along with vice chairman Michael Chapman, the state’s Homeland Security Director. The council will ensure that proper homeland security plans are in place at both the local and state level while also examining how homeland security grant funds can best be coordinated and expedited.
Under Director James, the council will prepare an emergency preparedness plan for the governor’s review by January 1, 2006 including recommendations for structural changes, develop polices and procedures to implement up-to-date response capabilities and improve the homeland security grant reimbursement process.
The governor has also requested all executive agencies to submit emergency response plans that address security in the event of an emergency, including possible terrorist attacks to the council within 120 days of today’s signing.
Other members of the council include Director of the State Emergency Management Agency Ronald M. Reynolds, Director of Health and Senior Services Julia M. Eckstein, Director of Transportation Pete K. Rahn, Director of Agriculture Fred
Ferrell, Director of Natural Resources Doyle Childers, Director of Economic Development Gregory A. Steinhoff, Chief Information Officer of the State Dan Ross, State Adjutant General BG King E. Sidwell, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre, State Fire Marshal Randy Cole, Commissioner of the Water Patrol Rad Talburt, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Jeff Davis, and three public members appointed by the governor. The governor at his discretion may appoint ex-officio members to the council.
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