STATE OF CONNECTICUT

BY HER EXCELLENCY

M. JODI RELL

GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10

WHEREAS, President George W. Bush in Homeland Security Directive No. 5 (HSPD-5), directed the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS);

WHEREAS, NIMS will provide a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, local and tribal governments to work together to effectively and efficiently prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity; 

WHEREAS, the collective input and guidance from all federal, state, local and tribal homeland security partners to the USDHS has been, and will continue to be, vital to the development, effective implementation and utilization of a comprehensive NIMS;

WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that federal, state, local and tribal emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of incident management;  

WHEREAS, to facilitate efficient and effective incident management, it is critical that federal, state, local and tribal governments and organizations utilize standardized terminology and organizational structures, interoperable communications, consolidated action plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel qualification standards, uniform standards for planning, training, and exercising, comprehensive resource management and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters; 

WHEREAS, the NIMS standardized procedures for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources will improve the State of Connecticut’s ability to utilize federal funding to enhance local and state agency readiness, maintain first responder safety, and streamline incident management processes;     

WHEREAS, the Incident Command System (ICS) components of NIMS are presently an integral part of various incident management activities throughout the State of  Connecticut, including current emergency management training programs;

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (the “9-11 Commission”) recommended adoption of a standardized ICS; and 

WHEREAS, adoption of the NIMS and an integrated ICS by the State of Connecticut is vital to ensuring continued access to federal funds from a variety of sources, which funds shall be used to further increase the preparedness of Connecticut’s governmental units to respond to domestic incidents which threaten the health, welfare, safety and security of Connecticut’s citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1)                  The establishment of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), as promulgated and from time to time revised by USDHS, as the standard system within the State of Connecticut for the management of domestic incidents which affect the health, welfare, safety and security of Connecticut’s citizens;

2)                  Direct the Commissioner of the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (“DEMHS”) to take such action as the Commissioner shall deem advisable to establish training programs, policies, procedures and protocols to implement the NIMS and integrated ICS components within all appropriate emergency action and other plans for the State of Connecticut so as to ensure effective and efficient levels of incident management; and

3)                  For purposes of funding the activities of the DEMHS in carrying out the purposes of this Executive Order, the DEMHS, as necessary or permitted in accordance with applicable law and to the extent available may:  (1) apply for grants from governmental or other sources; (2) accept and expend such grants on behalf of itself, the State of Connecticut through the Office of Policy and Management or such other state agencies as is advisable; and (3) operate within the existing appropriations of the agency. 

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon the date hereof.

Dated at Hartford, Connecticut, this 19th day of September 2005.

M. JODI RELL

Governor