Missouri’s Homeland Security
Looks to Regionalization to Maximize Future Federal Grants
JEFFERSON CITY, August 23, 2006- In an effort to maximize
the return on investments of future homeland security grants in Missouri,
Gov. Matt Blunt, early in his administration, realized the need to
improve the way we spent our homeland security grant money.
“The more we engage local jurisdictions to participate
in a cohesive regional effort, the greater impact our future Homeland
Security grants will have to protect our citizens,” said Mark
James, Director of Department of Public Safety. “This will become
especially important this fall, when homeland security grants are
awarded to each region.”
The governor empowered his Homeland Security Advisory
Council to further authorize jurisdictions and governmental agencies
at the most basic level to have input into how vital federal dollars
are spent. Through Executive Order 06-09, Gov. Blunt established the
concept of Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees (RHSOC),
to bring his vision to reality.
The Missouri Office of Homeland Security (MHS), working
with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and a select number
of Missouri’s Regional Planning Commissions (RPC’s), have
been organizing these committees around the state. The committees
are designed to first on a regional basis, and then collectively as
a state, embrace a seamless, unified approach to future planning,
training, and equipment purchases.
Over several months, SEMA Deputy Director Duane Nichols,
and Homeland Security Coordinator Paul Fennewald met with various
first responder agencies, emergency management directors, local elected
officials, and Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG)
staff. The meetings allowed participants to familiarize themselves
with the regionalization concept, as well as the roles and responsibilities
of the various partners. These partners were asked for input on making
this process better, and many of their suggestions were adopted for
the final template of the Committees.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security encourages
states to regionalize their Homeland Security efforts. Missouri is
at the forefront of creating this more effective regional model,”
said Randy Railsback, President of the MACOG and Executive Director
of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission.
Based on the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop Area
geographic boundaries, the nine Regional Oversight Committees will
identify local priorities, capabilities, and coordinate program activities
within their region. As one body, the committee will make recommendations
to Missouri’s Homeland Security Advisory Council for program
and equipment priorities. Each Oversight Committee is comprised of
representatives from various jurisdictions and non-voting ex-officio
state agencies. The RPC provides administrative and fiscal support
to each Regional Oversight Committee.
The thirteen core disciplines represented in Regional
Oversight Committee are: Director of Emergency Management, Police
Chief, Sheriff, Fire Chief, County Health, Homeland Security Response
Team, City or County Public Works, Mayor or City Administrator, County
Commissioner, Private Industry/Public Utility, Emergency Medical Service,
911, Volunteer Group Representation.