Governor Doyle accepts new state homeland security strategy

Governor Doyle has approved the Wisconsin State Homeland Security Strategy that is a collaborative interagency effort to guide Wisconsin's direction through 2011. The vision is a culture of preparedness shared by all Wisconsin citizens and the theme is resiliency.

Wisconsin's Homeland Security Advisory Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar presented the Governor with the report. The Wisconsin Homeland Security Council developed the strategy over several months and the process included public comment opportunities.

"Our state has been hit with record flooding and major chemical fires in the last year and our first responders have done an excellent job in responding to these disasters and emergencies," said Gov. Doyle. "However, we must always look ahead to the next disaster or emergency. This strategy will guide us in updating plans, ensuring mutual aid and regional response, and continue to promote citizen and private business involvement in preparedness and planning efforts."

The comprehensive strategy was developed specifically for hazards in Wisconsin and incorporates established federal guidelines including the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework. It has nine priorities with a lead state agency identified. The strategy also outlines an aggressive exercise and training program that includes not only local and regional exercises but also provides a capstone (culminating) exercise with senior governmental leadership.

"This is an evolutionary strategy. Our mission is to continually improve our capability and coordinate, collaborate, and cooperate with federal, state, local, tribal, non-profit and private-sector stakeholders," said Brig. Gen. Dunbar. "The strategy and its execution must be transparent so everyone can understand what are our capabilities and gaps due to limited resources and funding."

The strategy will be updated following the next gubernatorial election in 2011 and will thereafter be reviewed and updated every four years. The Wisconsin Homeland Security Council will still produce an annual report each September as part of Preparedness Month to review past events and report on our progress.

The Wisconsin Homeland Security Strategy is available online at http://homelandsecurity.wi.gov/