KRS 39G.010: Kentucky Office of Homeland Security executive director -- Duties --

Delegation of duties -- Commonwealth Activity Taxonomy System Committee -

- Notification of disaster or emergency.

(1) The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security shall be attache d to the Office of the

Governor and shall be headed by an executive director appointed by the Governor.

(2) The executive director shall:

(a) Publicize the findings of the General Assembly stressing the dependence on

Almighty God as being vital to the secu rity of the Commonwealth by

including the provisions of KRS 39A.285(3) in its agency training and

educational materials. The executive director shall also be responsible for

prominently displaying a permanent plaque at the entrance to the state's

Emergency Operations Center stating the text of KRS 39A.285(3);

(b) Establish and chair an interagency working group composed of the chair of the

Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee, the chair

of the House of Representatives Seniors, Military Affairs, and Public Safety

Committee, state agency representation, and private agency representation.

The working group shall have the purpose of identifying risks and needs and

making a complete assessment of the preparedness of the Commonwealth to

respond to acts of war or terrorism, including nuclear, biological, chemical,

electromagnetic pulse, agro-, eco-, or cyber-terrorism;

(c) Serve as the State Appointed Administrator for the United States Department

of Homeland Security;

(d) Implement all homeland security presidential and gubernatorial directives,

including directives pertaining to state and local compliance with the National

Incident Management System;

(e) Coordinate the efforts of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security with the

efforts of the federal Department of Homeland Security;

(f) Accept and allocate any homeland security funds in compliance with

applicable federal and state laws and administrative regulations; and

(g) Inform the members of the General Assembly of the process by which a public

agency applies for a federal homeland security grant and shall provide the

following information to the members at least ninety (90) days before an

application deadline:

1. The application deadline;

2. How a public agency can obtain an application form;

3. How a public agency can obtain assistance in filling out an application

form; and

4. Any other information that would be helpful to a public agency

interested in applying for a federal homeland security grant.

(3) The executive director may delegate responsibilities created under this section to

another executive branch agency.

(4) The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security shall:

(a) Develop and publish a comprehensive statewide homeland security strategy

that coordinates state and local efforts to detect, deter, mitigate, and respond

to a terrorist incident;

(b) Develop a comprehensive strategy addressing how state and federal funds and

other assistance will be allocated within the state to purchase specialized

equipment required to prevent and respond effectively and safely to terrorist

incidents;

(c) Urge the state and local governments to exceed minimum federal

requirements for receiving assistance in preparing to respond to acts of war or

terrorism in the hope that the Commonwealth will become a national leader in

this preparation;

(d) Provide information explaining how individuals and private organizations,

including volunteer and religious organizations, can best prepare for and

respond to incidents contemplated by this section and to other threatened,

impending, or declared emergencies and whom to contact should they desire

to volunteer help or services during such an emergency. The program shall

identify and encourage these private organizations to specifically commit to

provide food, shelter, personnel, equipment, materials, consultation, and

advice, or other services needed to respond to these incidents;

(e) Administer the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center and coordinate its

operations with other federal, state, and local agencies;

(f) 1. Form the Commonwealth Activity Taxonomy System (CATS)

Committee to develop and oversee a system of evaluating special events

to determine, plan, mitigate, and respond to risks and threats to the

Commonwealth.

2. The committee shall consist of members from no fewer than five (5)

state agencies, including:

a. Kentucky Office of Homeland Security;

b. Kentucky Division of Emergency Management;

c. Kentucky National Guard; and

d. Kentucky State Police.

3. The committee shall establi sh a quantitative system to identify and rank

state public events, maintain public safety, and protect public property.

4. Membership shall be determined by the state agencies identified in

subparagraph 2. of this paragraph, and the executive director of t he

Kentucky Office of Homeland Security shall appoint other members as

necessary.

5. The committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair from its members who

shall serve in those capacities for a term of two (2) years. A majority of

the committee shall cons titute a quorum for the purposes of conducting

business.

6. The committee shall meet when called by the chair, or at the request of

the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security; and

(g) Promulgate any administrative regulations necess ary to carry out the

provisions of this chapter.

(5) The adjutant general, or his or her designee, shall concurrently notify the Governor

and the executive director of the Office of Homeland Security of a disaster or

emergency involving homeland security. The adjutant general, or his or her

designee, shall be the Governor's primary point of contact for managing and

responding to a disaster or emergency involving homeland security.