California "merger" - A sign of a new trend?

[helicopper 1,050]

California merged their office of emergency services with the office of homeland security. Given that NYS has several agencies with similar (and sometimes competing) mandates and resposnibilities, do you think such a move would be a good idea here?

Let's take a look at our "system" (grossly simplified for illustrative purposes) :

Office of Homeland Security - homeland security / training / counter-terrorism preparedness / support to local municipalities / now adds "all hazards preparedness and response to their mission statement

Office of Fire Prevention and Control - fire service / training / counter-terrorism preparedness / support to local municipalities

Division of Criminal Justice Servcies - law enforcement / training / counter-terrorism preparedness / support to local municipalities

State Emergency Management Office - all-hazards emergency management and planning /preparedness / training /

counter-terrorism preparedness / support to local municipalities / hazard mitigation

It seems to me that many of these functions are duplicative and/or redundant and we (as the public and taxpayers) would be better served by a more streamlined approach and broader strategic outlook rather than the old discipline specific focus that has been so common for so long.

What do you all think?

Director Matthew Bettenhausen comments on Governor Schwarzenegger signing AB 38 merging Governor's Office of Homeland Security with the Office of Emergency Services

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2008

Contact: Jay Alan

916-322-1556/ 916-825-6544

Steve Turner

916-324-9660/916-275-4076

Director Matthew Bettenhausen comments on Governor Schwarzenegger signing AB 38 merging Governor’s Office of Homeland Security with the Office of Emergency Services:

“Governor Schwarzenegger has always made clear to his cabinet that public safety must be our number one priority and that prevention must be a primary goal of those efforts. Joining together these two great organizations, The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Homeland Security, presents a tremendous opportunity to better leverage our resources and capabilities and further California’s leadership in homeland security and emergency preparedness. This one-stop-shop for leading the state’s prevention, protection, preparedness, response and recovery efforts for all potential hazards will allow California to better address our present and future challenges. We commend and thank the Governor and the legislature, particularly Assemblyman Nava, for accomplishing this historic restructuring of government.”

Background

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security is charged with administering Department of Homeland Security grant allocations, implementing policies and practices to deter, prevent and prepare for man-made or natural disasters, and in efforts to mitigate, respond to and recover from any disaster. The policies used by OHS are part of California’s strategies to protect its 37 million residents from man-made or natural disaster.

For further information regarding the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security please visit our website, www.ohs.ca.gov.

For information on Assembly Bill 38 (Nava), click here.

Actual Legislation Merging Departments

http://cbs13.com/local/california.emergenc...e.2.827348.html

[helicopper 1,050]

I have since found out that Connecticut, Louisiana, and Texas have already done what California is now doing. What do you think?

[Bnechis 3,961]

I have since found out that Connecticut, Louisiana, and Texas have already done what California is now doing. What do you think?

Its a smart move that reduces duplication and saves $$$$, thats why it wont happen in NYS. They were talking about it 5+ years ago, but you see that nothing has changed.

[Oswegowind 17]

In NY you would cut too many jobs that most likely were given out based on nepotism and favors...not gonna happen here!