Senators Kuipers, Bishop, Goschka, Garcia, Johnson, Stamas, Jelinek, McManus, Hardiman, Cassis, Gilbert, Van Woerkom, Toy, Allen, Sanborn, George, Cropsey, Hammerstrom and Switalski offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35.

A concurrent resolution to urge the Governor to put into effect emergency event simulations and formally report results to the Legislature subsequent to the results of each exercise.

            Whereas, The September 11th terrorist attacks and the recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrate the importance of local and state emergency management planning.  Failure to respond effectively to a terrorist attack or a natural catastrophe can lead to discomfort, injury, and even death for those victims caught in such a local or state-wide catastrophe; and

Whereas, Michigan's leaders should promote public safety by using available resources to maximize the preparedness of professional response capabilities of state and local agencies.  It is through training and improving the coordination between local and state emergency responders at all levels that Michigan can improve its effectiveness in responding to a crisis; and

            Whereas, Simulation of the action plan on a periodic basis is the most effective way to test the response capabilities of state and local officials.  Simulating emergency events gives responders the opportunity to discover what their strengths and weaknesses are and fix any problems before a real crisis occurs; now therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the Governor to put into effect emergency event simulations and formally report results to the Legislature subsequent to the results of each exercise; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this document be transmitted to the Office of the Governor.