KRS 39A.030: Rationale and purpose of program -- Division of Emergency Management.

The General Assembly recognizes that the rationale and purpose of the comprehensive

emergency management program of the Commonwealth has evolved from a program for

response to threats to national security, enemy attack, and other national defense needs, to

a program for response to all hazards, but primarily, domestic hazards and threats

including natural, man -made, technological, industrial, or environmental emergencies or

disasters, for which civil government is primarily responsible. Because of major cha nges

in the rationale and necessity for emergency management capabilities, as well as the

urgent requirement for multiagency participation and inter -agency coordination to ensure

timely, effective, and appropriate disaster and emergency response in the Commonwealth,

and to otherwise modernize and improve the administration, effectiveness, and relevance

of the comprehensive emergency management program for the contemporary needs of the

citizens of the Commonwealth, the General Assembly declares:

(1) A Divisi on of Emergency Management is hereby created as the emergency

management agency of state government which shall develop the comprehensive

emergency management program of the Commonwealth on behalf of the Governor,

and in consultation with the cabinet secre taries of state government, other

appropriate state agency heads, local elected chief executives, local emergency

management directors, and local emergency planning committees, for the purpose

of developing and enhancing comprehensive emergency management program

policies, plans, or procedures to provide for a coordinated responsive, and

integrated emergency management system in the Commonwealth;

(2) The division may accept on behalf of the Commonwealth any grant, contribution, or

fund, federal or otherwise , made to assist in meeting the costs of carrying out the

provisions and purposes of KRS Chapters 39A to 39F, and fully comply with all

funding requirements imposed by the receipt and use of the grant, contribution, or

fund; and

(3) The term "Division of E mergency Management" shall constitute and designate the

official name of the emergency management agency of state government created

pursuant to subsection (1) of this section and "Division of Emergency

Management," in the exact order or form as specified in this subsection, shall not be

utilized by or assigned to any other agency of state or local government, or other

state or local entity, or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth to constitute

or designate the official name of any such agency, entity, or political subdivision.