EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 01-42

EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 01-42

Louisiana Domestic Terrorism Advisory Committee

WHEREAS, the ability to protect the citizens of the state of Louisiana from threats and acts of domestic terrorism, particularly those which may incorporate Weapons of Mass Destruction (hereafter "WMFD"), depends, in part, upon the adequacy of state and local community emergency response capabilities, training and exercises, and equipment;

WHEREAS, cooperation among federal, state, and local governments and the effective integration of available resources are essential for domestic preparedness;

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States of America, through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Justice Programs, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Domestic Preparedness Office, is providing financial assistance directly to states through Public Law 105-277, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State; the Judiciary; and related Agencies Appropriations Acts of 1999; and the Conference Report (H. Rpt. 105-825, p. 988) accompanying the Department of Justice?s Fiscal Year Program, in order to ensure that local and state first responders are properly equipped and prepared to respond to incidents of domestic terrorism involving chemical and biological agents, as well as radiological, nuclear, and explosive devices;

WHEREAS, under the auspices of the State Domestic Preparedness Equipment Program, it is the responsibility of states to develop a statewide domestic preparedness strategy; to perform needs assessments to determine specific needs for equipment, first responder training, state and local response capabilities, and other assets involved in a WMD response; to coordinate resources; and to allocate designated federal funds to local and state emergency services providers; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable and prudent to establish an advisory committee which has technical expertise in the field of domestic preparedness in order to administer, recommend, and coordinate relative to public safety matters;

NOW THEREFORE, I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Louisiana Domestic Terrorism Advisory Committee (hereafter "Committee") is established within the executive department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The duties of the Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. planning and executing a Louisiana-specific domestic terrorism threat and needs assessment;

2. developing, based on that assessment, a three- year plan to enhance overall emergency response capabilities to terrorist events; and

3. directing, through the Department of Public Safety, the administration and distribution of funds received by the state from the Department of Justice State Domestic Preparedness Equipment Program to accomplish the above and to provide localities with funding to purchase equipment to support state and/or local emergency response personnel.

 SECTION 3: On or before March 29, 2002, the Committee shall submit a detailed report to the governor which addresses the issues set forth in Section 2 of this Order.

SECTION 4: The Committee shall be composed of a maximum of fifteen (15) members who, unless otherwise specified, shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the governor. The membership of the Committee shall be selected as follows:

1. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety, or the deputy secretary's designee;

2. The adjutant general of the Louisiana Army National Guard, or the adjutant general's designee;

3. The assistant director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Military Department, Office of the Governor, or the assistant director's designee;

4. The secretary of the Department of Agricultural and Forestry, or the secretary's designee;

5. The secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, or the secretary's designee;

6. The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or the secretary's designee;

7. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or the secretary's designee;

8. The president of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, or the president's designee;

9. The president of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, or the president's designee;

10. The president of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, or the president's designee;

11. The president of the Louisiana Association of Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians, or the president's designee;

12. The president of the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association, or the president's designee;

13. One (1) member of the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit;

14. One (1) at-large member representing local emergency management; and

15. One (1) at-large member representing local public works departments.

 SECTION 5: The Committee shall be co-chaired by the deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and the director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, or their designees. All other officers, if any, shall be elected by the membership of the Committee.

SECTION 6: The Committee shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals and at the call of the chair.

SECTION 7: Support staff, facilities, and resources for the Committee shall be provided by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Office of Emergency of Preparedness, Military Department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 8:

A. Committee members shall not receive additional compensation or a per diem from the Office of the Governor for serving on the Committee.

B. Committee members who are also employees or elected public officials of the state of Louisiana may seek reimbursement of travel expenses, in accordance with PPM 49, from their employing and/or elected department, agency, and/or office.

 SECTION 9: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Committee in implementing the provisions of this Order.

SECTION 10: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 21st day of September, 2001.

M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State