Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/15/2004 01:12 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
April 15, 2004
1:12 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Nick Stepovich, Chair
Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^OVERVIEW: HOMELAND SECURITY IN ALASKA
TAPES
04-5, SIDE(S) A & B
CHAIR NICK STEPOVICH convened the meeting of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs at 1:12 p.m.
Representatives Stepovich, Masek, Lynn, and Cissna were present
at the call to order. Representatives Dahlstrom and Gruenberg
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
CHAIR STEPOVICH reaffirmed how safe Alaska is. He asked the
following: what circumstances would prompt military deployment;
is there federal money already allocated; how much money in
grants were [allocated]; and do most cities have homeland
security directors?
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK talked about the recent earthquakes and
asked how safe Alaska is. She thanked the members of Division
of Homeland Security/Emergency Management for all it does.
CRAIG CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/Commissioner, Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs, presented an update on homeland
security in Alaska and characterized it as a very secure place
to live. However, he mentioned Valdez and the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline System (TAPS) when noting that Alaska is not exempt
from terrorist attacks. Turning to diseases like severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS), Adjutant General Campbell explained
that the [division] first establishes if the [disease] is an act
of terrorism. If not, the matter is dealt with by the
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Adjutant
General Campbell related the need to identify what the
appropriate purpose for the money being received for homeland
security. In response to questions, he specified that the
Division of Homeland Security/Emergency Management would need a
call from the governor to use local army troops for domestic
calls. The governor's authority to act would be appointed by
the President. Adjutant General Campbell informed the committee
that SB 385 is moving through the Senate. This legislation is
important because the authority of homeland security needs to be
specified, however, the code should not include language
specifying that citizens' firearms are taken away.
THOMAS BURGESS, Director, Office of Homeland Security, Division
of Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), informed the committee that
Homeland Security is one year old and currently at "Condition
Yellow," which is an elevated distress level. He explained that
in a situation of domestic terrorism, the governor is
responsible for calling on troops for assistance. He echoed
earlier comments that SB 385 is an important bill, which will
identify the authority of the Division of Homeland
Security/Emergency Management. Information is gathered when the
government changes the condition color to evaluate Alaska's
threat level, which has to be approved by the governor. Alaska
does not have to follow the national threat color level, he
noted. Mr. Burgess explained that the [Division of Homeland
Security/Emergency Management] was created by Governor Murkowski
to develop a centralized department of power to coordinate the
following departments: Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities, Department of Public Safety, Department of
Environmental Conservation, and Department of Administration.
Mr. Burgess specified that the mission of the Division of
Homeland Security/Emergency Management is to prevent terrorism,
reduce risks, and minimize loss of life. He agreed with earlier
comments that the division would work very closely with DHSS on
the matter of diseases like SARS, although DHSS would handle a
serious disease.
MR. BURGESS remarked that Alaska is safe due to the steps taken
by the governor and Division of Homeland Security/Emergency
Management. The role of the division is planning, hardening
security, crisis management, and recovery. He noted that there
will be a large exercise in mid 2005 and the division will
support local jurisdictions, develop and maintain a five-year
plan, [look into] grants and management, develop a defense and
emergency plan, develop statewide training and an exercise
program, and develop an emergency preparedness strategy.
MR. BURGESS related that the five-year strategic goals are to:
reduce vulnerability of life and property; provide security and
disaster management; implement a training and exercise program;
prioritize state infrastructure; and provide intelligence
dissemination outreach to Alaska. He explained the division is
currently prioritizing infrastructure, determining and reducing
vulnerability, and pre-identifying forces working on many tasks
at once, not in a unilateral process. He noted that $41.5
million in grants went out. The primary points of coordination
are the governor's homeland security cabinet and anti-terrorism
advisory council, which will have partnerships with various
groups all over the world. He mentioned the "Vulnerability and
Consulting Team" that would have 16 clients in more than 30
statewide locations. He also mentioned the anti-terrorism
procedural and consulting and assistance goal: to put up an
"ATACA" in Valdez. Mr. Burgess indicated that the following
areas [are under review] with regard to defense: the pipeline,
oil and gas refineries, rail transportation, sea port, power
production, "COG", and "COOP". He said that the division isn't
currently working with the plane situation. He noted that other
states have homeland security directors, but they're referred to
as emergency services directors.
MR. BURGESS informed the committee that there are some very
highly recommended training programs that will be here this
summer. The first Homeland Security Conference in Alaska will
be March 9-11, 2004, in Juneau. There will be public speaking
engagements and brochures for public awareness. A three-year
training program is the benchmark for the Lower 48. He related
that Unified Defense '04 dealt with cruise ships and was very
successful. He mentioned that there are exercise scenarios
planned for this summer; Northern Edge '05 will be a "big deal"
and is being prepared now. He indicated that there is review of
"soft targets" such as malls and other public places that are
often overlooked. Funding sources come from infrastructure
owners, grants from the government, and other sources yet
consolidated.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA inquired as to how diseases would be
handled. She expressed concern with regard to quarantine
capabilities.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN opined that he doesn't think anyone is
"safe," and therefore he didn't want people to have a false
illusion of safety. He asked what this committee can do to help
the division.
DAVE LEIBERSBACH, Director, Division of Homeland
Security/Emergency Management, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs, informed the committee that he handles public
problems beyond terrorism. He related that Alaska is fairly
well prepared for another major earthquake, but noted that it
could always be better prepared. With regard to funding, he
said that Alaska's funding wouldn't be impacted if it didn't
change its "color level" along with the nation.
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM commented that she is very impressed
with the division.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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