Monday, September 11, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Honors 9-11Victims, Recognizes Law Enforcement Commitment to Public Safety Continues to Strengthen Missouri Homeland Security Mission
JEFFERSON CITY–On the fifth anniversary of September 11th Gov. Matt Blunt today addressed Missourians in commemorative 9-11 ceremonies in Springfield and Jefferson City, honoring those who lost their lives in the attacks.
“Today marks the fifth anniversary of the attacks that will forever reside in the memories of every American," Blunt said. "We must always remember the tireless, daring work of our military personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders who risked their lives to save thousands of innocent Americans who were the victims of an evil plot designed to undermine our democratic society.”
Gov. Blunt understands the threat risk we as a nation face. Missouri's efforts to streamline homeland security are both proactive and practical in developing measures to prevent, protect, respond, and recover from acts of terrorism and major disasters.
Missouri has dramatically improved public safety and security under Gov. Blunt's direction. By implementing measures designed to protect our critical infrastructure, dedicating funds to improve interoperable communications, regionalizing how federal homeland security dollars are spent, reflecting upon lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, increasing our preparedness for a disaster, and enhancing information sharing among federal, state, local, partners through Missouri's First Information Analysis Center (MIAC), Blunt has placed a strong emphasis on protecting Missourians.
Prior to Gov. Blunt's administration, the state lacked an integrated cohesive emergency management system and little had been done in catastrophic planning. Gov. Blunt has dramatically strengthened the state's preparedness for a disaster by allocating funds based on need, coordinating training and exercise programs on the local level, implemented the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to ensure a nation-wide system was in place, assessing agency disaster plans and creating a state plan for incident response.
In October 2001 Blunt became the first statewide elected official in Missouri history to called into active military duty and served for six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, America's response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
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