06 LC
35 0203
House
Resolution 1692
By:
Representatives Day of the
163rd,
Harbin of the
118th,
Burkhalter of the
50th,
Keen of the
179th,
Sheldon of the
105th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the state, county, and municipal governments to create a comprehensive emergency
preparedness and response educational program; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
it is essential to public health and safety that this state be prepared in the
event of a large-scale public safety emergency caused by either bioterrorism,
natural disaster, or the rapid transmission of a life-threatening disease;
and
WHEREAS,
a natural disaster, pandemic, or epidemic has the potential of causing extensive
casualties, devastating health consequences for the citizens of this state, and
the disruption of critical community services due to the incapacitation of
essential human infrastructure and, to attempt to avoid such tragic
consequences, local leaders should be prepared and trained to efficiently and
immediately respond to such emergencies; and
WHEREAS,
there is a need, as an integral part of the
statés
preparedness in the event of a large-scale public safety emergency, for state
and local governments to develop consistent and meaningful contingency plans and
for county and municipal governments to have pre-prepared procedures for the
implementation of an effective and immediate response to such a disaster; and
WHEREAS,
in the event of a large-scale public safety emergency or disaster, state and
local officials will be called upon to implement a response plan and will be
expected to efficiently and with assurance lead the state and its
citizens.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the state,
county, and municipal governments are urged to take all steps necessary to
ensure that county and municipal government leaders are provided meaningful
courses of instruction, training, and guidance so that our county and municipal
government leaders are prepared to respond to a large-scale public safety
emergency.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
Georgiás
Office of Homeland Security, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the
Georgia Municipal Association, and the Association County Commissioners of
Georgia are urged to work cooperatively together to help to develop emergency
preparedness courses for training local government leaders.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the courses and instruction should consider the
following concerns and issues as these relate to pandemic preparedness and
response:
(1)
The need for coordinated response plans on the regional, state-wide, and
national levels;
(2)
Interagency cooperation and agreements between agencies and private entities on
the local, regional, state, and national levels, including agreements with
elected representatives, law enforcement, first responders, and the
media;
(3)
Agreements with health care insurers, Medicaid or other federal medical
programs, and health care product, equipment, and services providers for
cooperation with public health recommendations during an epidemic;
(4)
The coordination, recruitment, and training of medical and nonmedical emergency
volunteers;
(5)
The identification of available facilities for the provision of medical care,
decontamination, quarantine, training, and morgue services;
(6)
The need to stockpile medications or medical equipment;
(7)
The availability of communication and the need for developing communication
procedures;
(8)
The development of uniform and humane quarantine procedures; and
(9)
Methods for filling critical infrastructure services such as police, fire, and
EMT services as well as sanitation, water, and electrical services.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that following the completion of such courses of instruction
local government leaders are further urged to develop contingency plans and
procedures for preparedness to public health emergencies and
disasters.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges federal, state, and local governments
to continue to work to have closer involvement and open communication in the
development of public health emergency plans for the promotion of public safety
for all Georgians and to set shared goals of being effective leaders of this
state and protecting, promoting, and educating citizens on the absolute
importance of emergency preparedness for conceivable disasters likely to
occur.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Governor,
the director of
Georgiás
Office of Homeland Security; the director of the Georgia Emergency Management
Agency, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and the Georgia
Municipal Association.