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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 01-1916

THE GOVERNOR

Title 4--ADMINISTRATION

PART I.  GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

[4 PA. CODE CH. 6]

[EXECUTIVE ORDER 2001-6]

[31 Pa.B. 5935]

Governor's Task Force on Security

October 6, 2001

   Whereas, due to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and its people, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, has called upon all Americans to be vigilant to the threat of terrorism and to defend our nation; and

   Whereas, securing the United States homeland from nontraditional and emerging threats including domestic, biological, and cyber-terrorism must be a primary security mission of the United States Government and a primary concern of state governments; and

   Whereas, additional attacks against our citizens on United States soil are likely during the next quarter century, as both the technical means for carrying out such attacks and access to such means are proliferating despite the best efforts of United States diplomacy; and

   Whereas, attacks on United States soil may involve weapons of mass destruction and disruption and can target governments and individuals as well as the critical infrastructure upon which so much of the United States economy depends; and

   Whereas, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, has called upon our former Governor, Thomas J. Ridge, to defend our nation as the head of the Office of Homeland Security and upon all Pennsylvanians to secure our domestic well-being and security; and

   Whereas, all Pennsylvanians have similarly been called to secure our domestic well-being and security; and

   Whereas, in light of the act of terrorism that occurred on September 11, 2001, it is timely and appropriate for the Commonwealth to review its capacity to coordinate the emergency preparedness and response activities across a range of divergent agencies, bureaus, and departments in the fight against terrorism; and

   Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to set forth necessary plans and actions to ensure the preservation of core infrastructures including communications, electricity, water, and transportation; and

   Whereas, our past experiences with natural and other catastrophic events demonstrate the importance of a coordinated and rigorous emergency management system; and

   Whereas, we know that our future strength as a State and a Nation is dependent on our continued vigilance and tenacity.

   Now, Therefore, I, Mark S. Schweiker, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby establish the Governor's Task Force on Security as hereinafter set forth in Annex A.


Governor

   Fiscal Note: Gov 01-7. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 4.  ADMINISTRATION

PART I.  GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

CHAPTER 6.  ADDITIONAL COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES

Subchapter E.  GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON SECURITY

Sec.

6.41.Mission.
6.42.Function.
6.43.Composition and appointments.
6.44.Terms of membership.
6.45.Compensation.
6.46.Reports.
6.47.Executive agencies.
6.48.Termination date.

§ 6.41.  Mission.

   The Governor's Task Force on Security is charged with assessing the Commonwealth's current state of emergency preparedness in the event of an act of terrorism and shall propose enhancements to the existing strategy, including corresponding organizational structures, to prevent and protect against attacks in this Commonwealth and to respond to the attacks if prevention and protection should fail and action were needed.

§ 6.42.  Function.

   The Governor's Task Force on Security has the following powers and duties:

   (1)  To assess the readiness of this Commonwealth's State and local emergency preparedness systems to respond expeditiously and appropriately in the event of an act of terrorism. This assessment should consider the adequacy and availability of the following items when making this determination:

   (i)  State and local emergency preparedness and response plans, including provisions for mutual aid.

   (ii)  Emergency plans for the security of critical infrastructure--for example, major transportation systems, electrical generation facilities, major water supply systems, and the like.

   (iii)  Emergency plans in the event of domestic, cyber, biological or chemical attacks.

   (iv)  Emergency management radio communications systems.

   (v)  Plans and procedures for public communications and outreach.

   (vi)  Plans for the control and monitoring of air and land borders.

   (2)  To recommend a structure to coordinate the Commonwealth's emergency response activities and deployment based on intelligence information as provided by the President of the United States, the Federal Office of Homeland Security and other Federal agencies with core emergency management and intelligence functions.

   (3)  To develop and recommend strategies to improve the Commonwealth's planning and coordination with Federal and local agencies to facilitate resource allocation, enhance readiness to prevent attacks and facilitate recovery if prevention fails.

   (4)  To assess existing plans and the coordination and integration of activities relating to security of this Commonwealth, including border security and emergency preparedness.

   (5)  To develop relationships between Federal and local governments and executive agencies in order to protect this Commonwealth's security and to support local officials.

   (6)  To identify training and outreach opportunities that will be required to implement the Commonwealth's anti-terrorism plan.

   (7)  To recommend strategies to provide overall planning guidance to local officials.

§ 6.43.  Composition and appointments.

   (a)  The Governor's Task Force on Security (Task Force) shall consist of certain designated public officials and other individuals appointed by the Governor. The membership shall include the heads of agencies of the Commonwealth that have responsibilities directly bearing State and local emergency preparedness activities, as well as various State and local elected officials and local emergency preparedness officials. The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

   (1)  The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

   (2)  The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.

   (3)  The Secretary of Environmental Protection.

   (4)  The Secretary of Health.

   (5)  The Adjutant General of Military and Veterans' Affairs.

   (6)  The Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

   (7)  The Attorney General of Pennsylvania.

   (8)  Two representatives of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

   (9)  Two representatives of Pennsylvania local government.

   (10)  One county emergency management coordinator.

   (11)  A representative of the Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit.

   (b)  The Governor will designate a member to serve as the Task Force chairperson.

   (c)  The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

   (d)  A Task Force member may designate an alternate to attend Task Force meetings, if required.

§ 6.44.  Terms of membership.

   (a)  The ex officio members serve on the Governor's Task Force on Security (Task Force) during their respective terms of office. Other members of the Task Force serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

   (b)  If a vacancy occurs on the Task Force due to resignation, disability or death of a member, the Governor will appoint a successor as expeditiously as possible.

§ 6.45.  Compensation.

   Members of the Governor's Task Force on Security receive no compensation for their services, except that the members may be reimbursed for actual travel and related expenses in accordance with Commonwealth travel and subsistence policies. See Chapter 40 (relating to travel and subsistence).

§ 6.46.  Reports.

   The Governor's Task Force on Security shall present a final report to the Governor by November 20, 2001.

§ 6.47.  Executive agencies.

   Agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the Governor's Task Force on Security in performing its functions.

§ 6.48.  Termination date.

   This subchapter shall continue in force until rescinded or superseded by order of the Governor.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-1916. Filed for public inspection October 26, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]

   


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