News Releases for November 2001
November 30, 2001
Contact: Rob Keller, North Dakota National Guard/Division of Emergency Management (701) 333-2006
Hoeven Launches First Governor's Homeland Security Conference
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today welcomed almost 350 elected and appointed officials from around the state to the first Governor’s Homeland Security Conference in Bismarck.
“After September 11, we found ourselves living in a new era of heightened security,” Hoeven said. “As citizens of a nation, state, county or city, all of us have a role to play in Homeland Security, and all of us must work to prepare for, prevent and respond to an emergency situation.”
Homeland Security Coordinator Doug Friez facilitated the conference. He joined experts in public safety and emergency response, local leaders and state officials to learn about the state’s prevention, preparedness and response plan. Co-facilitators included the state Division of Emergency Management, the North Dakota League of Cities and the Association of Counties.
Friez repeated his call for heightened awareness, saying, “It’s important that we all have a ‘watch the neighborhood’ attitude,” Friez said. “That heightened awareness calls for new partnerships at all levels, and this conference can help us to forge them.”
The day-long conference covered topics like threat assessment, roles and responsibilities within the emergency operations plans, preparing for response, security of citizens, resources, working with the media and communicating with citizens.
Mark Johnson, executive director of the Association of Counties expressed a need for this conference. “Citizens need to feel safe in their communities and that begins with our local leaders,” Johnson said.
Connie Sprynczynatyk, executive director of the North Dakota League of Cities, said the conference provides an excellent opportunity for state and local leadership to talk about lessons learned since Sept. 11. “North Dakota is a state of sparse resources and we cannot afford to waste time, money or energy,” she said. “It’s prudent that we work together, and this conference is a step in the right direction.”
According to Hoeven, the conference should enable participants to make recommendations to help prepare citizens in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship and public places from the potential consequences of terrorist attacks. The conferees will also recommend ways to support local officials, including police, firefighters and community health professionals, who are often the first to respond to a terrorist attack.
“On September 11, the United States was attacked by terrorists who thought that they would weaken us,” Hoeven said. “Instead, their attacks strengthened us. They thought they would divide us. Instead, they united us on every level - as a nation, a state and a people.”
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