Emergency management training

It began as a response to the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge last August.

A new law, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), requires that within any state agency designated as a disaster or emergency response organization, at least one employee must have completed an emergency management curriculum prepared by the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Signed by the governor April 3, it takes effect Aug. 1, 2008.

Speaking before the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee on Feb. 27, Kalin said that, although Minnesota had much to be proud of on that day for the way so many responded, there are still lessons to be learned.

More specifically, Kalin said that government managers responsible for directing agencies during major emergencies should be fully trained and certified in emergency management.

Rocco Forte, director of emergency preparedness for the City of Minneapolis, who has gone through the emergency management curriculum, said that emergency managers need to know how to work with different entities and disciplines in times of crisis. Forte was a leader in the rescue efforts after the bridge collapse. He said he couldn’t have been successful “without the skills and relationships built through the classes.”

The new law also directs the commissioner of public safety to annually report to the Legislature how state agencies are progressing with these new requirements.

HF3099*/SF2656/CH167