Statewide planning in Nevada started in January, 2006 when the State of Nevada Division of Emergency Management  assembled a multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional working group to prepare the State’s Program and Capability Review and Enhancement Plan for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) FFY 2006 Grant process.

The multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary working group was composed of 78 different organizations and a total of 138 individuals from state, local, non-profit and private sector organizations.

It continues to be both unique and on track in meeting eight National Priorities and four State-specific priorities derived from the remaining 28 target capabilities contained in the DHS Target Capabilities according to DHS Preparedness Officer, Kathleen Steinle..

Twelve working groups comprised of stakeholders who were also subject-matter experts prepared the program and capability review and developed the initiatives that comprise the overall State of Nevada Enhancement Plan.

Members initially attended a Program and Capability Review Workshop January 4, 2006 in Las Vegas.  Subject-matter working groups were formed to focus on Capability Review, Initiative Development, and Enhancement Planning in each of the twelve priority areas. 

Working groups returned to Las Vegas January 17th & 18th, 2006 to review and augment products submitted by working groups.  Over time, a variety of surveys were conducted using the Zoomerang® online polling service in order to efficiently prioritize areas of strengths and weaknesses within each initiative.  Subsequent meetings, e-mailings and conference calls culminated in the final Enhancement Plan preparation meeting on February 23rd and 24th, 2006 in Las Vegas. 

At this meeting, members reviewed Investment Justifications designed to enhance the strengths and improve upon the weaknesses identified in the capability review.  Using criteria established by the Nevada Homeland Security Commission, members evaluated each justification and eliminated those that did not meet  standards set by the Commission.

The six overarching criteria were: 1) Mitigate risk where the most vulnerability to threats exist; 2) Demonstrate the feasibility of implementation; 3) Provide the most good to the greatest number of people; 4) Be sustainable beyond the grant funding performance period; 5) Demonstrate both regional and statewide benefits; and 6) Result in standardized plans, teams, equipment, training and exercises.

The use of on-line polling tools was essential in prioritizing identified needs.  Time constraints, state geography, and travel costs limited face-to-discussion opportunities.  All members were offered the opportunity to voice their opinions via this prioritization process. 
 

Working groups continue to meet. In April, 2007, 12 investment team leaders or their designees met to review investments in progress and found them to be on track with identified milestones to be completed at the end of the grant performance period June 30, 2008.

Working group agencies include:

State agencies:  Nevada Department of Public Safety Divisions of Emergency Management and Investigations; Department of Information
Technology; Division of Forestry; Health Division; Department of Agriculture; Attorney General's Office; Nevada Army National Guard; University of Nevada at Las Vegas (Institute for security Studies) and the Division of Homeland Security Commission staff. 

Tribal entities: Moapa Tribe; Walker River Tribe; Elko Band Council.  

Counties:  Lyon County; Douglas County; Washoe County (Emergency Management, Regional Transportation); Lincoln County (Emergency Management); Storey County (Emergency Management); Clark County (Emergency Management, Information Technology, Public Works, Coroner’s Office, Regional Transportation, Department of Aviation, School District, Health District, Fire Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police).
 
Cities:  Carson City (Fire); City of Las Vegas (Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue); City of North Las Vegas (Emergency Management, Fire, Police); City of Reno (Emergency Management, Fire Department); City of Henderson (Emergency Management, Police). 

Private and non-profit entities: Medic West Ambulance; Sprint Telephone; Sierra Pacific Power Company/Nevada Power Company; Clark County Education Association Foundation; and the Southern Nevada Coalition of the Organizations of, for, and by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

More information on the ECEM program can be found online at: http://urbanaffairs.unlv.edu/pubadmin/