J_LE_2016A 11/18/2016 10:00:57 AM Committee Summary

10:01 AM -- Review by Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management



Kevin Klein, Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Colorado Department of Public Safety, provided information to the committee members regarding statewide notification systems. He provided an overview of the Swift911 program, which has been implemented in place of ReadyOp. Director Klein also provided an overview of the Continuity of Operations Plans in the Executive Branch agencies.





10:11 AM



Director Klein answered questions from the committee regarding training for legislative and executive branch staff. He discussed online training and answered questions on tracking of class participation and mandatory requirements for staff.



Director Klein answered questions from the committee regarding Swift911 procedures and capabilities. He discussed the differences between Swift911 and ReadyOp. Senator Newell asked a question about how the broadcasting works and the availability of exchanging messages through the system.





10:20 AM



Director Klein discussed the use of communication devices at the local level and the integration between systems.















10:22 AM -- Department of Public Health and Environment



Jennifer House, State Public Health Veterinarian, Department of Public Health and Environment, provided an overview of the Zika virus. She discussed the tracking program of the Zika virus in Colorado. Ms. House discussed the most effective tests to determine if an individual has been infected with the virus.



Ms. House discussed the presence of the Zika virus within the United States. She discussed the tests for West Nile virus within Colorado, the most prominent mosquito carried virus in Colorado. She discussed targeted surveillance in local areas and new funding to increase staff training to control and prevent mosquito born viruses.



Ms. House answered questions from the committee regarding the current individuals in Colorado that are infected with the Zika virus. She explained that these individuals contracted the virus while traveling to areas that are currently within the Zika infection zones.





10:32 AM



Ms. House answered questions regarding federal funding for research and programs on disease identification. She said that if the department receives federal grants they recently applied for, than Colorado will have the funding needed to provide sufficient prevention measures.



Ms. House answered questions about tires that are shipped to Colorado from around the world and tire dumping in Colorado. She explained that tires are a breeding ground from mosquitos in Colorado.



Ms. House answered questions about non-mosquito transmissions of the Zika virus. She also discussed the birth defects associated with the virus.





10:42 AM



Ms. House answered questions regarding a pregnancy registry to track pregnant women who have traveled to active Zika virus zones.





10:45 AM -- Continuity of Operations Plan for Legislative Branch



Damion Pechota, Legislative Council Staff, discussed the letter drafted at the 2015 Legislative Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery meeting to provide additional security training for legislators and staff.



Senator Newell spoke on the need of security training for the legislative members. The committee members discussed the letter recommending security training.



Mr. Pechota spoke on the Continuity of Operations Plan for the Legislative Branch and distributed copies of the current plan (Attachment A).



16LEPRR1118AttachA.pdf

10:58 AM

11:13 AM



The committee adjourned.