In 2004, Governor M. Jodi Rell and the Connecticut General Assembly acknowledged the magnitude of the state’s responsibilities as they relate to emergency management and homeland security with the passage of Public Act 04-219, An Act Enhancing the Protection and Security of the Citizens of Connecticut by Establishing the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The Public Act is now codified in Connecticut General Statutes §§ 28-1 to 28-22a.

The enabling legislation that created the DEMHS also established the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Council (EMHSCC), a state-wide, 24-member advisory group (C.G.S. 28-1b).  The EMHSCC meets at least quarterly and is charged with advising DEMHS on:

• Applying for and distributing federal or state funds for emergency management and homeland security;
  
• Planning, designing, implementing, and coordinating statewide emergency response systems
• Assessing the state’s overall emergency management and homeland security preparedness, policies and communications;
  
• Recommending strategies for improving emergency response and incident management, including training and exercise, volunteer management, communications and use of technology, intelligence gathering, compilation and dissemination, the development, coordination and implementation of state and federally required emergency response plans, and the assessment of the state’s use of regional management structures; and
• Strengthening consultation, planning, cooperation and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Connecticut National Guard, police, fire, emergency medical and other first responders, emergency managers, public health officials, private industry, and community organizations.
  

Chaired by the Commissioner of DEMHS, membership in the Council includes the Commissioners of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Public Safety.  Also included are the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Adjutant General of the Military Department, the chairperson of the Department of Public Utility Control, the State Fire Administrator, the United States Attorney for Connecticut, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the F.B.I., and the Commanding Officer of the State’s U.S. Coast Guard contingent.  Appropriate representation from municipal law enforcement, the fire service, emergency medical services, and other first responder agencies is included, as well as the Connecticut Council of Municipalities, the Council of Small Governments, regional civil preparedness organizations, local health and hospital administration, and emergency communications services.