|
News from |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
CONTACT: |
||||||||||
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2007 No. 07-052 GOVERNOR, ADJUTANT GENERAL PROPOSE ENHANCEMENT OF STATE'S READINESS CAPABILITIES WITH REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Director of Kansas
Homeland Security and Kansas adjutant general announced a proposal today
to develop five regional training centers to enhance the state's capabilities
to defend against terrorism and respond to disasters and emergencies. Four regional training centers would be developed in strategic locations
around the state to ensure state and local first responders, the Kansas
National Guard and public safety organizations have state-of-the art training
facilities. A fifth existing training site in Salina would serve as the
training hub. The Great Plains Joint Training Center, in Salina, which
includes Smoky Hill Weapons Range, currently has approximately 36,000
acres for air and ground training. "Kansas is taking the lead in the nation in enhancing its homeland
security capabilities by developing these regional training centers where
first responders and public safety organizations, including our National
Guard, train together to ensure our state is the best prepared in the
country," Sebelius said. The regional training centers concept resulted from The Adjutant General's
Department working with numerous state and local government agencies and
public safety professional organizations to determine how best to integrate
the needs of emergency responders, public safety and the National Guard
into realistic training and exercise facilities. The funding for the proposed regional training centers would be provided
through bonds of no more than $32 million over three years. "This is a win-win solution for addressing the needs of Kansas homeland
security professionals by providing multi-disciplinary training and exercise
capabilities not currently available in the state," said Bunting.
"Most importantly, it's a big win in our effort to better protect
every Kansan." The Adjutant General's Department's role includes homeland security, and with nearly 8,000 Kansas National Guardsmen whose main mission is to protect Kansas, the agency is the largest first responder/public safety organization in the state. "The regional training centers will allow our state to have an integrated
training approach to handling disasters and emergencies, while providing
our National Guard additional training resources for future deployments,"
Bunting added. "With this training, our state will be better prepared
to handle whatever situations may come our way requiring a unified response,
whether it's numerous tornadoes, wildfires, floods, terrorism or several
events at once." Each of the new centers will be strategically positioned to reduce travel
time for those seeking training. "These regional training centers will also be instrumental in not
only ensuring our state responders are compliant with the National Incident
Management System, but that they also have a place to train and exercise
together," Sebelius added. "We're confident the regional training centers will place Kansas
as a leader in the country when it comes to being ready to respond to
emergencies and related needs of Kansans," Bunting said. State and federal partners who may consider using the regional training
centers include: Kansas Fire Marshal's Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation,
Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, sheriff's
departments, police departments, fire departments, university police,
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Emergency Medical Services,
Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department, Transportation Security Administration
and other military Reserve components.
-30- |
||||||||||