Maine’s Homeland Security Task Force to Come to Portland


The Task Force to Study Maine’s Homeland Security Needs will meet on September 8, 2006 at the Portland City Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to receive expert testimony and public comments on security and emergency preparedness issues relating to Maine’s ports and the state’s largest metropolitan region.

This is a continuation of several meetings that have been held around the state in order to ensure that the task force receives enough input from the local level to be able to identify potential gaps in the state’s homeland security and emergency preparedness plans.

State Senator Ethan Strimling is one of the co-chairs of the task force.

The panel discussions will be followed by a period for members of the public to comment on any homeland security and emergency preparedness issues beginning at 6:00 p.m.

During the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature, the Task Force heard from over 200 people and made nine recommendations that resulted in two public laws and a resolution asking Congress to take specific federal action. For more information on the work of the task force, visit the state’s website at www.maine.gov/legis/opla/homsec.htm.

The Task Force to Study Maine’s Homeland Security Needs was established by the 122nd Legislature and signed into law by Governor John Baldacci in June of 2005. The Task Force is charged with meeting over a two year period to assess Maine’s homeland security needs and identify gaps in Maine’s emergency preparedness. The Task Force consists of 11 members with six legislators and five members representing the public interest who are directly involved in homeland security and emergency preparedness efforts.


Below is a copy of the Task Force’s planned agenda:

Maine’s Homeland Security Task Force
AGENDA
September 8, 2006
Portland City Hall - Portland, Maine


PANEL DISCUSSIONS

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Maine’s Port Security: Global and National Perspectives
Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, USN-Ret.
David Flanagan, former General Counsel to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Investigation of Hurricane Katrina
Update on Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs work

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Protecting Our Ports: Coordinating Federal, State and Regional Efforts
Captain Stephen Garrity- USCG
Major John Fetterman, Deputy Chief Maine Marine Patrol
Captain Jeffrey Monroe, Portland Director- Ports and Transportation
Tom Meyers, South Portland Director of Transportation and Waterfront

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. BREAK

3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: Response and Recovery
Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne, Portland
Michael J. Bobinsky, Portland Director of Public Works
Fire Chief Kevin Guimond, South Portland
Jeff Temple, South Portland EMA Director

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Maine’s Port Security: A Private Sector, Tourism & Transit Perspective
· Tom Hardison, Director of Operations - Portland-Montreal Pipe Line
· Tom Dobbins, Manager, Terminal Services - Sprague Energy
· Donald Cormier, VP of Operations and Safety Management - Bay Ferries, The CAT Ferry
· Capt. Roki Horr Asst. Operations Manager, and Capt. Nick Mavodones, Operations Manager Casco Bay Island Transit District


PUBLIC COMMENT AND TASK FORCE DISCUSSION

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Task Force Working Dinner

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Public Comment and Task Force Discussion
The protocol for hearing public comments will be explained prior to hearing public comment.
There may be a time-limit on testimony depending on the number of people wishing to testify.

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Task Force Planning for Next Meeting
Discussion of questions and actions for follow-up prior to next meeting.
Discussion of work plan and priorities for the next meeting and future meetings.