| A study of Connecticut’s Homeland
Security infrastructure initiated by state Senator David J.
Cappiello, R-Danbury, continues to move forward. The study,
being conducted by the legislature’s Program Review
and Investigations (PRI) Committee, is examining the process
used to establish Connecticut’s homeland security goals
and assess the extent to which they have been achieved.
An interim report outlining the information
to be obtained by the Office of Program Review and Investigations
was highlighted before the Committee yesterday. “This
was a status report on where the study is heading,”
said
Sen. Cappiello who called for the study earlier this year.
“I believe it is heading in the right direction. Homeland
Security and the protection of the public is THE most important
responsibility of government and that is why I believe it
is necessary to review and study our current Homeland Security
infrastructure here in Connecticut.”
The Connecticut Department of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) was established
in January 2005, combining the state’s Military Department’s
Office of Emergency Management with the Department of Public
Safety’s Division of Homeland Security. While the
state’s preparedness efforts encompass an all-hazards
approach, including man-made and natural disasters, the
focus of the study is emphasizing on those elements related
to homeland security. As part of the review, the study is
identifying federal guidelines towards homeland security
and communications between state and local officials.
“I am pleased that this study
is moving forward,” said Sen. Cappiello. “The
basis of this is to ensure that our state’s homeland
security is running effectively. We need to make sure all
levels of government are working in concert with one another.”
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