EXECUTIVE ORDER
05-42

WHEREAS, the President in Homeland Security Directive (HSPD)-5, directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS), which would provide a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, and local governments to work together more effectively and efficiently to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity; and

WHEREAS, the collective input and guidance from all Federal, State, and local homeland security partners has been, and will continue to be, vital to the development, effective implementation and utilization of a comprehensive NIMS; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that all Federal, State, and local emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of incident management; and

WHEREAS, to facilitate the most efficient and effective incident management it is critical that Federal, State, and local organizations utilize standardized terminology, standardized organizational structures, interoperable communications, consolidated action plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel qualification standards, uniform standards for planning, training, and exercising, comprehensive resource management, and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters; and

WHEREAS, the NIMS standardized procedures for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources will improve the State's ability to utilize federal funding to enhance local and state agency readiness, maintain first responder safety, and streamline incident management processes; and

WHEREAS, the Incident Command System components of NIMS are already an integral part of various incident management activities throughout the State, including current emergency management training programs; and

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission) recommended the adoption of a standardized Incident Command System.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matt Blunt, Governor of the State of Missouri, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the standard for emergency incident management in the State of Missouri.

All state executive departments are directed to immediately incorporate the NIMS into existing emergency operations plans, policies and procedures, as well as existing and future training programs and exercises. Furthermore, state executive departments shall ensure that all appropriate personnel meet the applicable NIMS training standards as defined by the Department of Homeland Security by October 1, 2006 and shall report accomplishment of such to the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 14th day of November, 2005.

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