State homeland security panel to review plans

Jace Radke

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 | 8:48 a.m.

The Nevada Homeland Security Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday to review the state's security plan before it is submitted to the federal government.

The statewide security assessment, due to the federal Homeland Security Department by Jan. 31, serves as the trigger that will release fiscal year 2004 grant funds to the state. The plan will also act as a road map for future funds.

The plan includes broad goals and objectives outlined by the state Division of Emergency Management, as well as data that assesses the state's strengths and weaknesses when it comes to homeland security.

Among the goals listed in the plan are: developing a statewide network for collecting, sharing and analyzing intelligence data; establishing communication operations that allow first responders to talk to each other; developing public education and awareness programs; and training and equipping first responders.

The plan sets timelines for the goals with most of the goals to be implemented by 2006.

The state is scheduled to receive $26.5 million in funds in 2004, and Clark County is in line for a separate $10.5 million grant as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative.

Those funds will be disbursed after the plan is submitted to the Homeland Security Department.

Once the grants are approved by the federal government, a 60-day window will open for the commission to recommend to Gov. Kenny Guinn how and where the money should be spent.

The commission has yet to determine what recommendation it will make to Guinn concerning how homeland security dollars will be divided within the state, although need and population-based systems have been discussed.

The commission is also scheduled to discuss Assembly Bill 250, which requires hotels with more than 200 rooms to submit emergency plans. Only about 50 of approximately 160 qualifying hotels statewide have so far turned in their plans.

The commission's public meeting is set for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Sawyer State Office Building.