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The US National Emergency Management Association has regularly published a report on state emergency management since 1996 and its latest report is now available.
Highlights of the NEMA 2012 Biennial Report include:
- 2011 was a record year for major disasters declarations in the United States, with 99. This played out at the state level as well, with 250 gubernatorial emergencies, which was 38 percent more than the 181 reported in the NEMA 2010 Biennial Survey.
- There were 258 events that required a significant commitment of state resources, but which did not result in a declared state of emergency. This was 111 percent increase from the FY 2009 survey when it was 122.
- As a result of 27 new governors taking office in 2011, 17 states appointed new state emergency directors.
- Local emergency management programs are still being impacted by less revenue. Seventeen states reported that local emergency management programs were cut and local programs were consolidated in 13 states in order to save money. In 12 states, there were other reductions such as decreases in salaries and the elimination of travel.
- There was a jump in the number of personnel assigned to state fusion centers, up from 1,253 in the last survey to about 1,510. Law enforcement was the largest portion, with more than 64 percent of the total staff.
- States continue to professionalize emergency management staff. Thirty states reported certification programs for either the state or local emergency management staff, up from 23 previously.
- The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) has become more familiar to those outside of emergency management circles. Thirty-nine states provided 334 training opportunities in FY2011 to non-emergency management personnel.
More details.
•Date: 15th June 2012 • US •Type: Article • Topic: Emergency planning
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