Floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, severe storms, landslides,
droughts, hazardous material spills, search and rescue. These are just
a few examples of emergencies in Utah in which the Division of Emergency
Services and Homeland Security (DES) has played an active role. But what
does the agency do when there isn't a disaster?
DES coordinates emergency management efforts between federal,
state and local governments. These efforts include preparedness, recovery,
response and mitigation.
Homeland security programs are also administered at the
division. Governor Mike Leavitt created the Homeland Security Taskforce
(HLS), a bureau of DES. HLS works with federal, state and local partners
to deal with statewide security threats and intelligence information.
Public safety professionals at DES include experts in emergency
planning, training, exercise, investigations, communications, automation,
hazardous material response and much more.
DES prepares individuals and communities for disasters through
outreach and training programs. The division trains nearly 1,000 emergency
responders annually in areas such as domestic preparedness, hazardous
material, the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, professional
development and others.
Thousands of Utahans receive emergency preparedness education
material from DES. This information helps families prepare to be self-reliant
during a disaster situation.
DES also includes the Utah Highway Patrol's Hazardous Material
Response Team. These specially trained troopers work throughout the state
to assist local agencies in hazardous material incidents.
But that is not all we do. DES also administers various
ongoing programs that make Utah a safer, better place to live:
