Are You Prepared?

The FAQ–9/11 Attacks page includes suggestions for ensuring you and your family are prepared for an emergency. The page also discusses Michigan's steps to ensure the state is prepared for a terrorist attack. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division has also put together a Family Preparedness Guide.

State Agencies Working Together

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division is the state's lead agency for emergency preparedness, including response to terrorism. Facilitating agency cooperation is the state's Homeland Security/Emergency Management executive staff.

Cementing an already close relationship, the Governor announced plans for a new joint headquarters for the Michigan State Police and Michigan National Guard. The joint facility will bring both operational and cost-saving benefits to the two departments. For example, the State Police and Guard will be able to combine Emergency Operations Center activities, thus streamlining communications between the agencies.

Working with the Emergency Management Division following September 11th, Michigan's Department of Community Health has been involved in potential anthrax incidents. Testing of over 200 samples has not yielded any positive results to date. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been working closely with municipal water supply managers and has been looking at facilities that store extremely hazardous materials. Michigan's Department of Agriculture has been working with food and diary processors to ensure the safety and protection of our food supply. The State Police Motor Carrier Division has stepped up inspection and enforcement activities for hazardous materials transporters.

Mutual Aid Compacts

Local and state emergency response agencies have worked to form the Statewide Mutual Aid Compact. This initiative, involving 1776 local units of government, lays the foundation for standardized procedures in multi-jurisdictional response to emergencies, including terrorist incidents.

In November, 2001, Michigan joined the Emergency Mutual Assistance Compact. This interstate aid agreement gives Michigan the ability to request assistance from other states in the event of an emergency. The agreement also allows Michigan civilian and National Guard responders to help other states.

The mutual aid compacts ensure the smooth initiation of the response to an emergency situation. Assistance from federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are above and beyond those provided for by the mutual aid compacts.

Legislative Actions

Michigan's legislature has taken numerous steps to ensure the state is prepared for a wide variety of emergencies. Continuing a long tradition of sound laws in support of emergency response, the legislature recently passed a series of bills. The Governor has signed 30 anti-terrorism bills into law.