WHEREAS, Vermont must be prepared to prevent, respond to, recover from, mitigate and protect Vermonters from all natural and man-made hazards; and

WHEREAS, Vermont must be prepared to prevent, and protect Vermonters from terrorism, homegrown violent extremists and evolving threats both domestic and foreign; and

WHEREAS, the Governor is responsible for coordinating, to the fullest extent possible, the emergency management plans and program of the State; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be the greatest possible coordination and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Vermont National Guard, first responders, law enforcement, emergency managers, public health officials, regional planning commissions and private community organizations, including faith-based organizations in order to provide the Governor with advice and counsel on approaches to strengthen and improve our homeland security and emergency preparedness.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Vermont, do hereby order and direct:

The "Governor's Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council" (Council) is reconstituted as set forth below:

I. Composition and Appointments

The Council shall include members from the following interested parties to be appointed by the Governor: volunteer fire service; career fire service; emergency medical services; municipal police; sheriffs; state fusion center (in Vermont, known as the Vermont Information Center); federal government; municipal government; local emergency management; private community organizations; the Vermont utility industry; hospitals; public health officials; statewide interoperability governing body; disability inclusion working group; a state Citizen Corps representative; and faith-based organizations.

The Council shall include the following ex officio members or their designees: the Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, the Adjutant General, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the Secretary of the Agency of Transportation, the Secretary of the Agency of Digital Services, the Secretary of the Agency of Education, the Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Public Safety, the E-911 Director, the state Homeland Security Advisor, the Colonel of the Vermont State Police, the Director of the Division of Emergency Management, the Chief Information Security Officer and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator.

The Governor shall invite the Speaker of the House, the Lieutenant Governor and a member of the Senate appointed by the Committee on Committees to participate on the Council.

The Governor may consult with private sector professionals outside of the Council for information and advice. All State Agencies and Departments, as well as the Attorney General and the Executive Director of the Office of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs shall participate upon request of the Governor or the Chair of the Council, as needs dictate.

The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Council.

II. Charge

The mission of the Council shall be to assess the State's overall homeland security and emergency preparedness programs, policies, and communications and provide for coordinated input by stakeholders in the preparation, implementation, evaluation and revision of the current systems.

Further, the Council shall consider the interdependencies between the private sector, non-profit organizations, faith-based and community organizations, and all levels of government, including local, state and federal with the goal of maximizing these relationships and reducing duplication of effort. The Council shall advise on the allocation of funding to support the programs while mindful of available financial resources and fiscal realities.

III. Council Process

The Council shall meet at the call of the Chair and shall advise the Governor, as needed, on the State's overall threat and hazard preparedness, policies and communications.

Administrative and staff support shall be provided by the Department of Public Safety.

The Council may adopt operating guidelines which are consistent with this Executive Order.

IV. Effective Date

This Executive Order shall be effective as of July 15, 2019 and shall expire on July 15, 2024.

This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order# 04-13 (codified as Executive Order No. 20-48).

Dated: July 17, 2019