Executive Order Number Forty-Six Regarding The Delaware Homeland Security Council
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by a foreign enemy intent on weakening its national infrastructure, institutions, and resolve through the application of terrorism; and
WHEREAS, the magnitude and nature of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the anthrax crisis, and national alerts have led governors to initiate unprecedented efforts to implement comprehensive state-based strategies to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the efforts of numerous persons representing private, municipal, county, state and federal agencies, has upgraded the Delaware Emergency Operations Plan; and
WHEREAS, homeland security is the prevention, preemption, and deterrence of, and defense against, aggression targeted at U.S. territory, sovereignty, domestic population, and infrastructure as well as the management of the consequences of such aggression and other domestic emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware is committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and visitors to our state; and
WHEREAS, a new Department of Safety and Homeland Security has been formed to help protect the lives and property of citizens and visitors to the State of Delaware;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, HEREBY DECLARE AND ORDER THAT:
1. The Delaware Homeland Security Council (hereinafter, “the Council”) is hereby created.
2. The Council shall be composed of the following members:
a. The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, who shall serve as chair;
b. The Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor;
c. The Adjutant General of the National Guard;
d. The Chief Information Officer;
e. The Director of Public Health;
f. The Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency;
g. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles;
h. The Superintendent of the Delaware State Police;
i. The Chair of the Public Health Emergency Planning Commission;
j. The Executive Secretary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association;
k. The Chair of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council;
l. A federal representative for Homeland Security, who shall be appointed by the Governor; and
m. Other representatives of local, county and emergency organizations as recommended by the Council and appointed by the Governor.
3. The purpose of the Council shall be to provide advice, counsel and assistance to the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security and the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor concerning:
a. The prevention, detection, preparation for, protection against, response to, and recovery from terrorist threats or attacks;
b. The exchange of intelligence and information concerning homeland security;
c. Interoperability of equipment and technologies;
d. The comprehensive state strategy to address terrorism;
e. The dissemination of information to the public and other state entities concerning homeland security;
f. Interaction and coordination between the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security and other executive agencies;
g. Completion of any plans relating to homeland security which are not specifically assigned to another entity by statutory or executive order; and
h. Other matters of homeland security as determined by the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security or the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor.
4. The Council shall meet at the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security’s direction. The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, in concert with the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor, shall be responsible for determining the agenda of the Council meetings. For administrative purposes the Council will be located within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which shall provide staff support to the Council.
Approved: July 22, 2003
