Sec. 28-1b. State-wide Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council: Duties; members; chairpersons; meetings; vacancies; annual report. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 28-1b. State-wide Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council: Duties; members; chairpersons; meetings; vacancies; annual report. (a) There is established a state-wide Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council to advise the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Emergency Management and, on and after January 1, 2005, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security with respect to: (1) Application and distribution of federal or state funds for emergency management and homeland security; (2) planning, design, implementation and coordination of state-wide emergency response systems; (3) assessing the state's overall emergency management and homeland security preparedness, policies and communications; (4) the recommendation of strategies to improve emergency response and incident management including, but not limited to, training and exercises, volunteer management, communications and use of technology, intelligence gathering, compilation and dissemination, the development, coordination and implementation of state and federally required emergency response plans, and the assessment of the state's use of regional management structures; and (5) strengthening consultation, planning, cooperation and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Connecticut National Guard, police, fire, emergency medical and other first responders, emergency managers, public health officials, private industry and community organizations. The council shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly on its findings and efforts to secure the state from all disasters and emergencies and to enhance the protection of the citizens of the state.

      (b) The council shall consist of: (1) The Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management; the Commissioner of Public Safety; the Commissioner of Public Health; the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services; the Commissioner of Environmental Protection; the Commissioner of Public Works; the Commissioner of Transportation; the Adjutant General of the Military Department; the chairperson of the Department of Public Utility Control; the Chief Information Officer, as defined in section 4d-1; the State Fire Administrator; or their designees; and (2) the following members appointed as follows: Two municipal police chiefs, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Governor; two municipal fire chiefs, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the Governor; one volunteer fire chief appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; one representative of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; one representative of the Council of Small Towns appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; two local or regional emergency management directors, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one designated, not later than July 1, 2007, by the president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association; one local or regional health director appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; one emergency medical services professional appointed by the Governor; one nonprofit hospital administrator appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; and one manager or coordinator of 9-1-1 public safety answering points appointed by the Governor. Each member appointed under this subdivision shall serve for a term of three years from July 1, 2004, or three years from the time of appointment if appointed after July 1, 2004, or until a qualified successor has been appointed to replace such member. No member appointed under this subdivision shall receive any compensation for such member's service on the council.

      (c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee who shall be an employee of said office, shall serve as chairperson of the council until January 1, 2005. On and after January 1, 2005, the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shall serve as chairperson.

      (d) The council shall hold its first meeting not later than August 1, 2004, and shall meet at least quarterly thereafter.

      (e) The chairperson of the council may request the participation of other representatives of federal, state, regional and local agencies as nonvoting members for purposes of consultation, planning and communication.

      (f) Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the appointing authority having the power to make the original appointment. Any vacancy occurring on the council shall be filled within thirty days.

      (g) The council shall submit a report to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2005, and annually thereafter.

      (P.A. 04-219, S. 27; P.A. 07-106, S. 7; 07-173, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 04-219 effective June 8, 2004; P.A. 07-106 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to not later than July 1, 2004, and require that there be two, rather than one, local or regional emergency management, rather than civil preparedness, directors on the council, one of which is to be designated by president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association, and that the term for all members be three years from time of appointment if appointed after July 1, 2004, effective June 11, 2007; P.A. 07-173 amended Subsec. (d) to require council to meet at least quarterly, rather than monthly.