HB1991

Report Title:

Disaster preparedness; emergency services; civil defense

Description:

Establishes a disaster preparedness task force.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1991
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to civil defense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Disasters, both man-made and natural, take many forms such as gale force winds, deadly chemical spills, and fire. Hawaii's location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes it especially prone and vulnerable to many different types of disasters such as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, severe storms, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, and wildfires, just to name a few.

Hawaii is no stranger to natural disasters. In fact, Hawaii has faced devastating natural disasters over the past century, including Hurricane Iniki in 1992, and the worst tsunami disaster experienced by the United States.

As seen with the Asian tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, inadequate disaster preparedness can have a severe impact on public health and safety. Particularly shocking was the vision of the citizens of New Orleans faring no better during a natural crisis than citizens of developing nations.

Recent reports on Hawaii's disaster preparedness indicates that Hawaii's residents, while conscientious about disasters and wanting to do what is needed during times of crisis, may lack sufficient government guidance. The legislature finds that the State's growing population and the general lack of awareness on the part of the public with respect to natural disaster preparedness dictates appropriate government action.

Given this history and the fact that Hawaii is vulnerable to natural disasters, it is important to remain vigilant to protect residents and visitors alike. Since natural disasters have the potential to cause great devastation to Hawaii, it is important to ensure that the State is adequately prepared to deal with such events.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to convene a task force to study and recommend to the legislature how to strengthen Hawaii's disaster preparedness plans and better educate the public on preparing for disasters.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a disaster preparedness task force within the department of health, for administrative purposes only, which shall consist of the following members:

(1) The director of health, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

(2) The adjutant general, or a designee;

(3) A representative from the department of education, or a designee;

(4) A representative from the Hawaii health systems corporation, or a designee;

(5) The team commander of the Hawaii Disaster Medical Assistance Team, or a designee;

(6) A representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or a designee;

(7) A representative from the United States military, or a designee;

(8) A representative from the Hawaii national guard, or a designee;

(9) A representative of the American Red Cross, or a designee;

(10) A representative of each county to be appointed by their respective mayors;

(11) The chiefs of police from each county, or a designee;

(12) The fire chiefs from each county, or a designee;

(13) An emergency medical services representative from each county, or a designee;

(14) The civil defense director for each county, or a designee;

(15) A representative from the board of water supply of the city and county of Honolulu, or a designee who shall also serve as the liaison of the task force to the directors of the boards of water supply of the other counties;

(16) A representative from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, or a designee;

(17) A representative of Hawaiian Electric Company, or a designee;

(18) A representative of Hawaiian Telcom, or a designee; and

(19) Any other agency or designee deemed appropriate by the director of health.

(b) The task force shall study the disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities of the State and each of its counties to ensure that the public is adequately protected in the event of a major natural or man-made disaster. The study shall include:

(1) A review of Hawaii's civil defense and disaster management system, as well as the value and effectiveness of current disaster plans and policies;

(2) An assessment of the adequacy of resources to provide for the welfare and safety of Hawaii's citizens, and any necessary steps that need to be taken to improve or upgrade these resources;

(3) A review of the current coordination of response efforts between federal, state, county, and private agencies in the event of a disaster and recommendations for improvement, if necessary;

(4) A review and evaluation of Hawaii's health-related policies and programs relating to disasters;

(5) A determination of whether an audit of the Hawaii state civil defense agency should be conducted;

(6) A determination of whether to elevate the director of the state department of health's emergency medical services branch to a cabinet level position;

(7) A review of evacuation plans for hospitals, care homes, and other medical facilities;

(8) A review of current plans, policies, and procedures for agencies involved in disaster assistance regarding:

(A) Search and rescue efforts;

(B) Law enforcement and security;

(D) Transport of emergency personnel;

(9) Improvements to educate citizens about civil defense and disaster preparedness including requiring the department of education to take steps to include a comprehensive civil defense course in disaster awareness and preparedness;

(10) The feasibility of providing every household in Hawaii with quick fact sheets informing residents on how to prepare for disasters and checklists of necessary disaster supplies;

(11) The adequacy of and necessity to improve designated emergency shelters throughout the state;

(12) Any costs associated with improving Hawaii's disaster preparedness; and

(13) Any other objective deemed necessary by the director

of health.

(c) The task force shall serve until it has accomplished the objectives of this Act or until twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008, whichever occurs first.

(d) The members of the task force shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties under this part.

SECTION 3. The task force, through the director of health, shall submit an interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007, and a final report, including any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for completion of the study by the task force.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________