State Senator David J. Cappiello, R-Danbury, today said a study he initiated to review Connecticut’s homeland security goals has revealed a need to fund certain important elements that would improve the state’s emergency preparedness. According to Sen. Cappiello, the report released today by the legislature’s Program Review and Investigations (PRI) Committee states that while Connecticut “has made progress in the area of homeland security,” there is, in his opinion, a lack of urgency in funding some of the state’s most important and public safety initiatives. He also said the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) needs to work in concert with the legislature to define their goals and objectives so that proper oversight and communications can be established.
Sen. Cappiello said that he would like to see a greater commitment made to the state’s first responders and is renewing his call for additional funding to Connecticut’s Urban Search and Rescue Team USAR that would fulfill a 2004 bond authorization. At today’s meeting of the PRI committee Sen. Cappiello spoke about his efforts to restore $1.2 million that would go towards medical equipment for USAR. He said that he has written (see attachment) to Governor M. Jodi Rell about restoring this funding as soon as possible.
“While attending a rescue exercise performed by the team in Meriden earlier in the fall, I was able to witness first-hand the dedication and professionalism of the USAR Team. I personally spoke with first responders regarding the need for new emergency equipment and they stressed to me the importance of these new resources,” said Sen. Cappiello. “I truly believe that allocating this funding should be a top priority, one that would benefit the health and safety of all Connecticut residents.”
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 this study emphasized those elements related to homeland security. Sen. Cappiello said that the long-term objectives of DEMHS need to be more defined so that the legislature can be a partner in making homeland security more efficient and effective to the citizens of Connecticut.
“Homeland Security is a relatively new concept and what makes the issue so complex is the array of different components that go into protecting the public,” said Sen. Cappiello. “That is why it is so important to know where we stand and this study is a good blueprint for us (the legislature) to work with our homeland security officials.” |
