H.R. 1891 – “Ready, Willing and Able Act”

OVERVIEW:

H.R. 1891 was introduced on Wednesday, April 17th by Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) to promote the development of disaster plans that will protect the maximum number of citizens; to foster public trust, confidence, and cooperation with these plans; and, to encourage greater public participation in homeland security by allowing the American people to have a direct and influential role in developing and modifying community disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation plans in collaboration with government officials, emergency managers, health authorities, and professional responders.

An important aspect of the bill is its creation of working group which will meet at minimum four times a year and is composed of 21 members, including Federal officials and State, county, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Council members to coordinate the efforts of different government agencies in identifying, developing, and implementing strategies for community-based disaster planning efforts. The primary functions of the working group are as follows:

  • building partnerships between State and local government officials, emergency managers, health authorities, professional responders, and community-based leaders of: industry and business, civil society organizations, schools, infrastructure (such as utilities, transit systems, railroads, ports, and airports) and health care organizations;
  • identifying the full range of risks citizens would actually face as a result of a conventional or unconventional terrorist attack, as well as the most likely other disasters for their particular community;
  • developing community-based disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation plans, and modifying pre-existing plans, which take into account the full range of risks; and,
  • developing communication links for government authorities to disseminate, in a timely manner, vital health and safety information to community-based leaders, allowing the information to be forwarded to the greater general public by individuals who speak the same languages and are part of their community's particular culture and day-to-day life.

The break-down of working group membership is as follows:

  1. Department of Homeland Security (3 persons)
  2. DHS Secretary
  3. Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management
  4. Under Secretary for Preparedness
  5. Department of Health and Human Services (3 persons)
  6. HHS Secretary
  7. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  8. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
  9. Fifteen members appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States

The members appointed by the Comptroller General must meet the following criteria:

  • current member of a State, county, local, or tribal Citizen Corps Council
  • not a Federal, State, or local government employee or elected official
  • not an employee, volunteer, or representative of a business, association, or advocacy organization involved in homeland security services other than volunteer services to Citizen Corps
  • reflect a broad geographic and cultural representation
  • include at least 3 representatives from urban areas, 3 representatives from suburban areas, and 3 representatives from rural areas

Through the coordination at all levels, there is a requirement for the working group to report back to Congress with recommendations no later than one year after it is established.

STATUS:

The bill has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee for review. It has also been referred to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

CO-SPONSORS:

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)

Congressman Charles Gonzales (D-TX)

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

Congresswoman Sheila Lee-Jackson (D-TX)

Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) – Chair of Homeland Security Committee

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Congressman Raul Grijialva (D-AZ)

Congressman James Langevin (D-RI)

NARC NEXT STEPS:

We will set up a meeting with Congressman Kennedy’s staff to discuss this legislation and, in particular, the working group. The working group could provide an opportunity for a NARC member to significantly contribute to the development of nationwide disaster plans.

To read the text full text of the bill, please visit: