Utah's Emergency Management Program Works For Full Accreditation

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah's Emergency Management Program has been awarded conditional accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. Utah's Division of Homeland Security will be working for the next nine months to get full accreditation, says Brian Garrett, Deputy Director of the Utah Division of Homeland Security.

"When our package went the commission they granted us a partial which is common. Everyone that has received accreditation has received a partial accreditation and went on to receive a full accreditation," Garrett says. "Having received that, over the next nine months we will be working to tie up the loose ends and be prepared in the March or April timeframe of next year to have the team come back out and visit us again to request our full accreditation."

One big boost to Utah's preparedness efforts is former head of Utah's Department of Public Safety, Robert Flowers' promotion to FEMA. This will allow the Utah department to work more closely with FEMA, says Garrett.

"With Commissioner Flowers moving over to FEMA it a puts him in an outstanding position for us," Garrett says. "Being in a senior leadership position within FEMA, puts him in a place that he can better look out for the interests for the citizens in Utah."

To hear more from Garrett go to the Midday Metro page at kcpw.org.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW