Emergency response

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Preliminary reports of tornadoes and severe storm conditions around Kearney indicate damage. The State has activated Nebraska’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Lincoln.

Due to a damaged power line, the portion of Interstate-80 between Aurora and York will be closed immediately.

EOC includes cooperation between several key state agencies, including:
the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nebraska State Patrol, State Fire Marshall, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Roads, Nebraska National Guard, and the Department of Environmental Quality.    » read more »

March 27, 2008 -- TOTOWA- Working to help equip Passaic County first responders in a difficult county budget climate, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. today joined Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano to deliver $267,900 in federal funding specifically earmarked for the Passaic County Prosecutor’s emergency communications network. Senator Robert Menendez, who was unable to attend today’s announcement, also played a critical role in securing the funds.    » read more »

Bureaucratic red tape has delayed first responder reconstruction projects after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

February 26, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to FEMA Administrator David Paulison, raising concerns about ongoing reconstruction delays, funding disparities, and bureaucratic red tape for first responder resources and projects in New Orleans.    » read more »

Statewide radio network will aid first responders

December 20, 2007 -- A group charged with establishing a plan to implement statewide communications interoperability has been formed by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

The Kansas Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, created by Executive Order 07-27, will develop the policies, procedures and guidelines of a statewide system designed to allow emergency service providers the ability to communicate with one another over a radio network.    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health achieved a high rating (a score of 9 out of 10 possible points) in the fifth annual Trust for America’s Health “Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism” report.

The report contains state-by-state scores based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. Only seven states received a rating of 10 out of 10.    » read more »

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced that Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Executive Director Robert Warren’s state employment has been terminated, effective immediately. The decision was made jointly by Governor Carcieri and Major General Robert Bray, to whom the EMA Executive Director reports.

Major General Bray, the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and the commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, will assume the responsibilities of EMA Executive Director until an interim replacement is named.    » read more »