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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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WINKLER & HIGGINS LEAD WORKING GROUP ON TERRORISM & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
ST. PAUL – The Legislative Coordinating Commission Working Group on Preparedness for Terrorism and Disasters met for the first time today to review lessons learned from the emergency responses to the I35W bridge collapse and the floods that devastated Southeastern Minnesota.
“Through the recent bridge and flood disasters, our state has endured many challenges," said Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL – Minneapolis), co-chair of the working group and chair of the Senate Public Safety Budget Division. “We can speak with pride in our emergency response system and the investments our state has made in emergency preparedness. The first responders and emergency preparedness of the state and local governments proved to be instrumental in the wake of both disasters.”
The LCC Working Group on Preparedness for Terrorism and Disasters group was established during the 2007 Legislative Session under legislation authored by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley & St. Louis Park) and Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL – Minnetonka, Plymouth & Medicine Lake).
"In the event of any disaster, Minnesota needs to be ready," said Rep. Winkler, who now co-chairs the new working group his bill created last session. "The purpose of this group is to examine the range of threats we face, and ensure that we have the policies and financial priorities in place to deal with those threats. After the floods and bridge collapse, we can find out what went well, and what we need to do better next time."
This LCC Working Group consists of three state representatives, three state senators, and four public members with relevant expertise:
House Members Senate Members
Rep. Ryan Winkler (co-chair) Sen. Linda Higgins (co-chair)
Rep. Carolyn Laine Sen. Terri Bonoff
Rep. Chris DeLaforest Sen. Warren Limmer
Public Members
Rocco Forte – Minneapolis Emergency Preparedness Director
Karen Anderson – Former Minnetonka Mayor & Former Chair of the
National League of Cities
Dr. Michael Osterholm – University of Minnesota expert on mass
pandemic disease
Dr. Steve Andreasen – University of Minnesota expert on nuclear proliferation
and antiterrorism
The legislators and experts who comprise the working group heard detailed overviews and explanations of the emergency preparation and response involved in the I35W Bridge collapse and the recent flooding in Southeastern Minnesota. The group also discussed possible legislation to improve and build upon current emergency response systems.
"It is extremely important that we work first to prevent disasters from happening," said Rep. Winkler. "But for those tragedies that we can't foresee, state and local efforts need to be well-coordinated, ready to move at moment's notice, and prepared to see the long-term recovery process through to the end."
In the coming weeks, the working group will hold additional meetings to discuss local, state and federal funding for emergency programs and examine school emergency response, waste management, hospital preparation and a discussion on the training of emergency personnel.
For more information please contact:
Rep. Ryan Winkler
651-296-7026 (Capitol)
612-991-4498 (cell)
rep.ryan.winkler@house.mn
Sen. Linda Higgins
651-296-9246
sen.linda.higgins@senate.mn
News Items
- Statement on Budget Forecast - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- Statement on Final I-35 W Bridge Settlement - (Posted: 2012-11-13 00:00:00)
- Rep. Winkler: Tea Party Activists Can’t Be Trusted to Reform Our Elections - (Posted: 2012-11-01 00:00:00)
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