DPS Commissioner Addresses Minnesota’s Emergency Managers

​DPS Commissioner John Harrington recently addressed more than 400 emergency management personnel during the 55th Annual Governor’s HSEM Conference.

In his speech, Commissioner Harrington highlighted the around-the-clock work they do to keep Minnesotans safe before, during and after an emergency. This includes the increased awareness of flood insurance, keeping our houses of worship secure, and ensuring the safety of our schools. He also stressed the need for a new State Emergency Operations Center, a part of Gov. Tim Walz’s bonding proposal currently under consideration in the legislature.

55th Governor’s HSEM Conference Highlights One Minnesota

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More than 400 emergency managers and public safety personnel from around the state are attending the 2020 Governor’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Conference. The focus of this year’s event is One Minnesota—which highlights the local, state, and federal partnerships. Participants are attending multiple training sessions to learn current best practices in emergency management and preparedness.

FEMA Region V Administrator James Joseph addressed Minnesota’s two federal disaster declarations which could result in an estimated $81 million in disaster assistance to help Minnesota communities recover. He also encouraged emergency managers to teach preparedness concepts to children through the Student Tools for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) program and the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council.​

Gov. Walz Recommends Funds for New State Emergency Operations Center

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When disaster strikes, Minnesotans depend on the state and its resources to effectively and efficiently respond and recover. That’s why Gov. Tim Walz is recommending $29.545 million as part of his bonding package to acquire land, design, develop, construct, and equip a new State Emergency Operations Center and Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) office.

Over the past two years, HSEM and its public safety partners have responded to 18 state disaster declarations and 6 federal disaster declarations across Minnesota. Having an adequate facility to coordinate this response and recovery work is essential to ensuring the safety of all Minnesotans in an emergency.

Visit the governor's Build One MN page to learn more about the bonding packages and the proposal for the new State Emergency Operations.

State Disasters Declared for Fall 2019 Severe Weather

Five northwest Minnesota counties and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will receive state disaster aid following two recent disaster declarations.

Gov. Tim Walz authorized the use of the state disaster assistance contingency account (DACA) to reimburse Carlton, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall and Roseau counties for $1.3 million in eligible response and recovery costs associated with heavy rains and flooding in September and October, which damaged roads and forced farmers to abandon their harvest.  The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reported more than $253,000 in verified damages to roads and marinas after a strong storm with heavy rain and hurricane force winds swept the lake. The tribe will also be reimbursed for response, repair and recovery costs.

The DACA will cover 75 percent of the total costs, with the counties covering the remaining 25 percent. Read Gov. Walz’s news release here.