October 9, 2006

East Lansing - Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the Michigan State Police (MSP) and State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, is touting MSP-led training opportunities, for state, county and local officials, such as this week’s Summit, as an important way to build relationships and learn the latest emergency management techniques and tools.

“Recent acts of school violence across the country further demonstrate that an emergency situation can happen anywhere, at any time,” said Munoz.  “This is why the MSP remains committed to working with our federal, county and local partners in training and exercising to better prevent and respond to emergency situations.”

The latest training opportunity offered by the MSP is the 2006 Summit, currently underway at the Grand Traverse Resort.  Over 550 conference attendees are participating in workshops, practicing with cutting edge equipment and learning from each other’s past experiences in an effort to further strengthen Michigan’s preparedness and response.  Keynote speakers include Major Jason Awadi of the Michigan National Guard 51^st Civil Support Team, Norris Beren of the Emergency Preparedness Educational Institute and Mike Brown, former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director.

“Michigan is in a unique position because we are one of only three states in the nation in which the emergency management function is located within the state police,” added Munoz.  “This means in emergencies, Michigan families will benefit from the leadership and expertise of both law enforcement officers and local emergency management officials.”

In addition to the Summit, the MSP offers classes throughout the year for every level of emergency response.  Since 2001, over 18,000 first responders have attended emergency management related classes.  Additionally, the MSP has hosted over 2,100 joint disaster exercises involving local first responders and federal partner agencies to further reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. 

The MSP also hosts an annual statewide homeland security conference each spring, called the Great Lakes Homeland Security Conference, attended by over 1,400 officials from across the region.  The next conference is scheduled for May 8-11, 2007 in Grand Rapids.

  “As State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, I want Michigan citizens to know your emergency officials are building the foundations that will allow us to work as one cohesive team, ensuring your and your family’s safety,” said Munoz.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.