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Carson City, NV
- Governor Jim Gibbons today
announced that the state is consolidating
the Homeland Security function into the
Nevada Department of Public Safety. This
change will enhance the ability of the State
to direct and coordinate an “all-threats,
all-hazards” approach in its prevention,
preparedness, response and recovery
strategies. This consolidation will also
provide for a single point of contact
allowing for an improved and comprehensive
coordination of all of Nevada’s preparedness
efforts.
The Department of Public
Safety-Division of Emergency Management
(DEM) is already serving as the State
Administrative Agency (SAA), which has the
ultimate responsibility of ensuring that all
federal funds expended in the areas of
emergency management and homeland security
are in compliance with federal financial,
program and administrative requirements. In
addition, the DEM has the statutory
responsibility for emergency management
functions related to disasters and other
major emergencies. The Department of Public
Safety also is currently responsible for the
prevention, detection, and deterrence
efforts that are managed through the Nevada
Threat Analysis Center (State Fusion
Center).
Recently, state-level
homeland security functions have been folded
into public safety agencies nationwide.
Data extracted from a FFY09 National
Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
survey indicate that at least 25 out
of 50 states currently have the function of
homeland security organizationally located
within public safety agencies,
and this number is expected to increase in
the future.
Anticipated benefits of this
consolidation include:
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Cohesive management of
all related programs and projects;
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Improved coordination
between Nevada’s Commission on Homeland
Security and state agencies supporting
related efforts;
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A central point of
contact and coordination with federal,
state, local and tribal agencies, and
private organizations;
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Improved communication between Nevada
and other states allowing for enhanced
state-to-state preparedness efforts and
coordination of mutual aid efforts.
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