Homeland Security Guide Released by National Governors Association

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) today released A Governor's Guide to Homeland Security to provide governors an overview of their homeland security roles and responsibilities. The guide was released via teleconference by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, NGA co-lead governors for homeland security.

A Governor's Guide to Homeland Security contains practical advice for governors on how to organize their states to prepare for and respond to hazards of all kinds effectively. It shares information and guidance on how to approach issues such as mutual aid, information sharing, obtaining assistance from the military and protecting critical infrastructure. Last published in 2002, the guide includes a significant amount of new and updated information.

"As the chief executives of our states, governors are responsible for the safety and security of our citizens and ensuring our states are adequately prepared for emergencies and disasters of all types and sizes--from widespread power outages and hazardous materials spills to catastrophes on the scale of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina," Gov. Minner said. "This guide focuses on areas governors must immediately be aware of, as well as the resources they are most likely to rely on during the initial response to an incident."

The content of the guide is based on the experiences of governors who have managed during crises and draws on lessons learned by states. Among its highlights, the guide:

• emphasizes that emergency preparedness and homeland security must be a priority of all governors;


• recommends governors set priorities and develop the structures and systems required to support those priorities; and


• stresses the need for cooperation among the state and local officials?within and among states--who will be expected to play a role in emergency response.

"This guide addresses one of the most difficult questions facing our nation's governors, 'Are we prepared to respond to an emergency incident, whether it is man-made or a natural disaster?' " Gov. Gibbons said. "As the threats to our country become more complex, we must increase our efforts to work cooperatively across state lines and further our knowledge and understanding of those practices that have proven successful in other states. The Governor's Guide to Homeland Security will provide each governor across the nation with proactive recommendations for emergency readiness, ensuring that each state is prepared to address a number of potential emergencies."

A Governor's Guide to Homeland Security outlines a variety of issues for governors, including interoperability, intelligence and information sharing and protecting the state's critical infrastructure; points out the challenges along the way; and provides examples of how states have successfully navigated each obstacle.