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Merger of EMO and Homeland Security proposed
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Posted on Jan 15 2012
Rep. Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan) has pre-filed a bill that essentially merges the Office of Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Office into a new office of CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management for “centralized” responses to major natural and man-made disasters.
Currently, EMO and OHS have overlapping functions. Both also coordinate with the same federal, regional, state and local agencies in preparing and responding to different kinds of emergencies.
House Bill 17-262 will be among the bills to be formally introducing during the House session on Tuesday.
Demapan said “there is a need for centralized coordination and the purpose of this act is to establish the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Office of the Governor.”
The 22-page bill authorizes the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management to be the “primary state agency responsible for response coordination of significant emergencies and major disasters within the CNMI.”
It also seeks to develop a comprehensive CNMI All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan to provide for a state-level coordination, and appropriate plan to respond to incidents of state or national significance.
Under the bill, the new office will be headed by a special assistant for Homeland Security and Emergency Management who will be appointed by the governor.
The appointee shall meet certain qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, homeland security or emergency management; 10-year management experience in law enforcement, fire service or emergency management; meets the minimum requirements or credentials to pass a U.S. Department of Homeland Security “secret” clearance; and meets minimum FEMA National Incident Management System Certification or the Incident Command System. FEMA stands for Federal Emergency Management Agency.
