Summit tackles tough issues: emergency response organizations meet to discuss key issues for state and local preparedness

State Government News, August, 2003 by Amy C. Hughes

The nation's principal state and local emergency responder associations met for the second time this year to continue an in-depth dialogue on all-hazards emergency preparedness and homeland security. The National Emergency Preparedness and Response Partnership Summit II, hosted by the National Emergency Management Association, was held in Washington, D.C. on June 11-12.

Homeland security advisors from 12 states joined representatives from state and local law enforcement, public works, emergency management, fire, public health, public safety communications, emergency medical services, and National Guard associations to engage in open discussions about the issues lacing the nation's emergency preparedness and response system.

Three issues dominated the...