Governor Martz Signs Executive Order for Homeland Security Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2001
Contact: Mary Schwarz
406-444-5523

(Helena) - In a continuing effort to ensure the safety of Montana's citizens in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, Governor Martz today established a Homeland Security Task Force.

"This task force will work to coordinate Montana's response at the state level with federal actions through both Governor Ridge's Office of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney's anti-terrorism task force," said Governor Martz. "We have dedicated staff in the areas of emergency response who are already working diligently in this area. The role of this task force is to ensure that those actions are completed in a coordinated fashion."

Montana, through the office of Disaster and Emergency Services, has been working on a statewide disaster plan to encompass all potential emergency issues since 1999.

"We are well prepared for emergency issues in the state," said Governor Martz. "However it is critical that emergency response is coordinated across local, county, state and federal governments. That is why I have asked Disaster and Emergency Services, under the leadership of Jim Greene, to oversee this task force."

The Homeland Security Task Force will coordinate:

• The development of clear lines of communication and protocol for working with the US Office of Homeland Security, the Anti-Terrorism Task Force and all other relevant federal, state, local tribal and private agencies and organizations, and
• The development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide strategy to strengthen Montana's capabilities to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from any terrorist threats or attacks within the state.

The task force will be made up of individuals including the Disaster and Emergency Services Administrator, who will chair the task force, the Chief Information Officer/Department of Administration, the Administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation /Department of Justice, the Adjutant General or his designee, the Public Health Disaster Coordinator/Department of Public Health and Human Services and any such other members as the Chairperson, in his discretion, may designate.

"In completing these functions, the Task Force will be a collection point for ideas and issues relating to strategy development, they will identify further planning requirements and resource needs and they will develop recommendations for improving Montana's preparedness," said Governor Martz.

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