WHEREAS, the events of September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina and
more recently the destruction and devastation caused by the force of record
setting tornadoes in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northeast
demonstrate the ongoing need to prepare for natural and man-made disasters and
other emergencies; and
WHEREAS,
federal, state and local officials and the private sector have worked and
continue to work together to deter, prevent and respond to all types of
emergencies.These activities, along
with a participating American community, contribute to a level of national
preparedness critical to ensuring the safety of the people in the United
States; and
WHEREAS,
the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and its agency,
the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) are responsible for developing
and implementing state emergency response plans for all man-made and natural
disasters; and
WHEREAS,
DSHS and DEMA are responsible for the activation and coordination of the state
emergency response plans during an emergency among the different federal, state
and local agencies and private sector partners, American Red Cross and the
Delaware Citizens Corp Council; and
WHEREAS,
DEMA has developed state of the art emergency response plans and have exercised
these plans on an ongoing basis to further improve the efficiency of said
emergency response plans; and
WHEREAS,
DEMA's partnership with the National Weather Service has further provided the
State with the most current, real time forecasts of the potential for severe
weather to enable the State to best prepare in advance for any weather-related
emergency; and
WHEREAS,
in recognition of the importance of providing advance notification or early
warning to the people in Delaware of the potential for any emergency, the State
has implemented the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS).DENS provides a mechanism for the State to
send warnings to individuals directly or indirectly affected by the emergency
and to advise them of recommended safety precautions, such as evacuation or
shelter-in-place; and
WHEREAS,
in recognition of the need for the people of Delaware to be educated about the
steps they need to take to be better prepared for emergencies in their homes,
businesses and schools, DEMA works closely with the Delaware community to
provide training and information on family emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS,
in September of each year, DSHS participates in National Preparedness Month by
urging Delawareans to take the time to obtain an emergency supply kit, make a
family emergency plan, be informed about different threats and their appropriate
responses, and get involved in preparing their community.
NOW,
THEREFORE:
BE
IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 146th General Assembly of the State of
Delaware that the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Delaware
Emergency Management Agency are hereby commended for their tireless efforts to
ensure the safety of the people and property of Delaware.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DSHS and DEMA are hereby encouraged to continue in
their efforts to develop and improve upon their emergency response plans to
address the emergency needs of Delawareans.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DSHS and DEMA are encouraged to continue to educate
the Delaware public on how to better prepare themselves to respond in the event
of an emergency or disaster.
