SB 208-DISASTER PLANNING AND SERVICES    10:17:06 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that SB 208 was before the committee. SB 208 creates a framework to facilitate intrastate coordination during a declared state of emergency. It is based on model legislation developed by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with other parties. It would allow the state to create a comprehensive, integrated system of mutual aid at various levels of government to ensure an efficient and effective response to disasters. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt the CS for SB 208, labeled 27- LS0611\B, as the working document. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI objected for discussion purposes. SENATOR PASKVAN, sponsor of SB 208, introduced the bill. He read from the following sponsor statement: In 2004 the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a host of emergency response organizations, began developing and promoting model legislation for an intrastate mutual aid system. The Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and Alaska Municipal League worked with the State of Alaska's Division of Emergency Management over the past year to transform NEMA's model legislation into a form that would be most beneficial to the specific needs of Alaska. Senate Bill 208, relating to disaster planning and services, is the result of this cooperation. It is on behalf of these aforementioned groups that I am bringing this legislation forward for your consideration. The Alaska Intrastate Mutual Aid System, established by SB 208, is essential in that it will provide a statewide framework for mutual assistance among the participating political subdivisions in the prevention of, response to, and recovery from any disaster that results in a formal declaration of local disaster emergency. "Political subdivision" means (A) a municipality; (B) an unincorporated village; or (C) another unit of local government according to AS 26.23.907. Through SB 208, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be tasked with playing an integral part in developing and implementing guidelines and procedures for the Alaska Intrastate Mutual Aid System. The Alaska State Emergency Response Commission, created under the Alaska Disaster Act, will facilitate the preparation and implementation of and provide review and make recommendations about the mutual aid system. The provisions of the Alaska Intrastate Mutual Aid System were developed with the goal of supplementing existing regional or local agreements by establishing a comprehensive, integrated system of mutual aid at a statewide level that will ensure an efficient and effective response to all hazards and disasters. Though mutual aid agreements between two neighboring political subdivisions is somewhat common, aid agreements may not necessarily exist between subdivisions that do not have a history of sharing emergency assistance. However, this system would not prevent participating entities from entering into supplementary agreements with other political subdivisions or impact existing or future agreements. An instance in recent history that demonstrates the need for an intrastate mutual aid system was the 2009 flooding in Eagle and other villages along the Yukon River. The Fairbanks North Star Borough did not have an existing mutual aid agreement with Eagle, which resulted in barriers to providing timely aid due to concerns about workers' compensation, liability, and reimbursement for aid. SB 208 would act as a safety net in similar situations where aid is needed but no mutual aid agreement currently exists. Through SB 208, the Alaska Mutual Aid System would automatically include all political subdivisions. A political subdivision may elect to withdraw by enacting a resolution through its governing body. The system further allows that a participating entity will have sole discretion to withhold or withdraw requested assistance to provide reasonable protection and services within its own territorial limits. Other details in the Alaska Mutual Aid System include guidelines for requesting aid; what assistance a participating member may request; qualifications and employment of, and workers' compensation for, emergency responders; reimbursement procedures for aid provided by participating political subdivisions; and definitions. The dedicated employees and volunteers who serve in emergency services recognize that emergencies transcend political jurisdictional boundaries. They, and the local agencies they serve, understand that intergovernmental coordination is essential for the protection of lives and property and for best use of available assets. By providing the structure for a statewide mutual aid system, the requesting and responding entities could be assured of an efficient and effective response to hazards and disasters. 10:24:58 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI opened public testimony DAVID GIBBS, Director, Department of Emergency Operations, Fairbanks North Star Borough, testified in support of SB 208. He said he believes that no single Alaskan community has the capacity to handle all catastrophic events that might occur within their boundaries. He gave examples of disasters that would necessitate the flow of resources and assistance from communities throughout Alaska. He gave another example of when, in 2009, there was flooding on the Yukon River and cooperation between communities was vital and complicated. The provisions in the bill do not replace mutual aid already in place. He agreed that the system created in SB 208 would help to facilitate the ability of Alaskan communities to help each other during their time of greatest need. 10:28:22 AM JEFF TUCKER, Fire Chief, North Star Volunteer Fire Department, Member, Alaska Fire Chief's Association (AFCA), testified in support of SB 208. He said AFCA has been involved for the last two years in helping to develop a mutual aid system for Alaska and was the recipient of a grant allowing them to track resources in the event that a statewide system is established. Alaska is currently one of only four states without such as system. He said the bill provides a needed framework to establish a mutual aid system and addresses key issues, including liability and compensation, currently not addressed in statute. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI held SB 208 in committee.