ATLANTA – State Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome), working in tandem with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Governor Sonny Perdue, was successful in passing legislation that will strengthen Georgia’s ability to respond to acts of terrorism and other disasters or emergencies through the new Unified Incident Command System.  The proposal allows for state and federal assets to merge seamlessly into an emergency response situation – whether it’s responding to a severe weather incident or an act of terrorism.

The new management System will provide clear authority and direction at the scene of a disaster or emergency, and is designed to eliminate duplication services among first responder agencies.  It also requires state agencies to have safety plans in place to ensure the security of state employees and citizens who are conducting business in state facilities.

“Georgia and virtually all local responders currently use incident command protocols, so this bill will ensure consistency and continuity,” Sen. Smith said after the legislation passed the House of Representatives last week, and now goes to Gov. Perdue for his signature.  “A Unified Incident Command System eliminates confusion over responsibilities and command authority and makes it easier for multiple jurisdictions to work together in mutual aid situations.

“Of particular interest to Governor Perdue, the measure establishes an Airport Anti-Terrorism Training Committee to develop training standards for airport managers around the state,” he added.

Sen. Smith introduced the legislation last year after President Bush issued a homeland security Presidential Directive calling for the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to administer a National Incident Management System, and Georgia will participate in that program.  The state system must be in place by October 1, 2004, or Georgia will be in danger of losing about $60 million in homeland security and anti-terrorism grants.

“This bill is the product of two years of hard work and collaboration among GEMA, local emergency management directors, the Georgia Forestry Commission, law enforcement, and the fire service,” Sen. Smith said.  “It also has been endorsed by the 11 members of the Homeland Security Task Force who represent all of the public safety professions, as well as public health and the National Guard.”