February 25, 2009

Fellow CEMA Members:

Congratulations on a successful legislative campaign to save the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security from being dissolved.

On Monday, February 23, 2009 CEMA received information that Senate Democrats were proposing to eliminate the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and place emergency management and homeland security responsibilities within the Department of Public Safety. This erroneous proposal was an effort to consolidate State agencies as a cost saving measure without consideration to the impact on federal dollars which support the State’s emergency management infrastructure. 

CEMA leadership immediately partnered with leaders from the Connecticut Police Chief’s Association, the Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association and the Connecticut Career Fire Chief’s Association and took a strong position in opposition to such a move.  As a unified group of Connecticut public safety professionals, we identified the benefits achieved by the creation of the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the detriments to regionalization, communication, first responder and citizen safety should the agency be dissolved. 

CEMA members responded to our call to action.  Many members quickly called, emailed, and wrote to their respective State Senators and State Representatives to strongly oppose changing the structure and reporting responsibilities of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Additionally, as no public hearing was scheduled, CEMA Vice President Austin and I traveled to the Legislative Office Building on Monday afternoon and personally addressed many Senate Democrats regarding this issue.  Senate Democrats issued a statement later in the afternoon that the issue was off the table for both discussion and action.

I personally applaud the efforts of the CEMA members who answered the call and influenced policy outcome.  Without your help, we may not been successful.

This type of scenario is an example of why the State’s emergency management community relies on CEMA to be the voice of Emergency Management.   Immediate action by our association proved beneficial to our profession, thus demonstrating the true power of a unified voice.  Most importantly, this situation is a reminder of why our association exists and that we must always remain prepared to advocate for Connecticut emergency management and public safety professionals. 

Your support has made a difference and as CEMA president, I applaud the membership’s successful campaign.

Sincerely

Michael A. Spera

President

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