Executive Order No. 20-58 (No. 06-19) [Governor’s Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council]
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
ADDENDUM 1 TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 06-19
[Governor's Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council Extension]
WHEREAS, on July 17, 2019, the Governor issued Executive Order 06-19 which established
the Governor's Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council (“GEPAC Executive Order”),
to provide the Governor with advice and counsel on approaches to strengthen and improve
our homeland security and emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the GEPAC is to assess the State's overall homeland security
and emergency preparedness programs, policies, and communications and provide for
coordinated input by 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 the preparation, implementation, evaluation and revision of the current systems;
and
WHEREAS, understanding the GEPAC serves a critical public health and safety function,
the Governor has determined to rescind its 2024 expiration. 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 that effective July 15, 2024,
the expiration of Executive Order 06-19 (codified as Executive Order No. 20-58), is
hereby rescinded.
September 19, 2024.