October 8, 2004

            South Bend, IN – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter today announced an interstate preparedness exercise as part of a national effort on the part of Attorneys General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In the event of terrorist acts or other man-made or natural disasters, neighboring states could face considerable jurisdictional and other legal obstacles in providing lifesaving, first-responder support.

            "Being prepared is essential for any emergency situation," Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter stated. "I’m grateful for the offer from my neighbor in Michigan and for his national leadership in this field. This takes preparedness to the next level, ensuring legal clarity between states so that life-saving efforts are handled quickly and without delay or conflict. We must take every step to ensure that the most efficient and streamlined processes are in place for our citizens."

            The exercises are sponsored in part by the National Association of Attorneys General, of which Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox serves as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

            "The first job in law enforcement is to protect the public. Beyond just reacting to emergencies, we need to adapt and prepare for them. I am thankful that Attorney General Carter has been so proactive in his leadership involving homeland security issues," Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox added. "Together, Attorney General Carter and I can work with our States to ensure that we will be prepared to quickly respond to any legal issue that may arise during an emergency. Preparing for the most threatening scenarios is the only way to ensure smooth, continuous leadership. Hopefully this will help us be better prepared."

            The exercise is being adapted to reflect the two state’s statutory schemes and is designed to increase awareness and improve state’s abilities to respond to legal issues that may arise during an emergency. Attorney General Carter is urging all government agencies to conduct the exercise by the end of the year.

            The exercise includes:

• Establish a scenario for public health and government officials to react and respond.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Identify legal questions to be clarified.
• Establish chain of communication between judicial and executive branches.

            Cox expressed his thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and many others that assisted in the production of the tabletop exercise. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office is supplying the preparedness exercise to all state Attorneys General offices.

Reporters’ contact: 

IN Attorney General’s Office,Staci Schneider,317/232-6351
MI Attorney General’s Office, Randall Thompson, 517/373-8060

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For further information contact: Randall Thompson
517-373-8060 (Office)
State of Michigan, Department of Attorney General