The emergency management and homeland security commissioner is responsible for providing a coordinated, integrated program for statewide emergency management and homeland security. He must coordinate with state and local government agencies and private-sector groups to ensure that they receive adequate planning, equipment, and training; coordinate and, where necessary, consolidate homeland security communications in the state, including those in the local government and the private sector; distribute information and security warnings; and establish standards and security protocols for intelligence information (CGS § 28-1a).

1. (NEW) What is the focus of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security office? (Is it detection, preparedness, prevention, response and recovery, or incident management?)

2. (NEW) Tell us about your agency's major accomplishments in the last year or so.

3. (NEW) How prepared is Connecticut for a terrorist attack or a major disaster, such as a category 4 hurricane?

4. (NEW) What is the federal government asking the state to do to achieve the national preparedness goal?

5. (NEW) Is the department getting adequate funding to meet the state's and federal public safety goals? What would you consider an optimum level of funding? How much funding is the department getting now? What criteria must your department meet to qualify for federal funding?

6. (NEW) How much federal funding is the department getting and how has this changed in the last few years? How much of the funding goes to towns?

7. (NEW) The recent arrest of Kenneth Krayeske at the governor's inaugural parade has generated public outcry. Does your department maintain a list of potential terrorists? Are you aware of any such list that the State Police or FBI maintains? If your department maintains a list, how does one get placed on it? If there is no list, how do you know who poses a potential threat?

8. (NEW) Krayeske's arrest caused great concern among people worried about the balance between public safety and personal liberty. In your opinion, where should that line be drawn? What accommodations, if any, should people be willing to tolerate to ensure their safety?

9. (NEW) Do you believe members of the press should have any additional/specific protections concerning disclosure of their sources in matters of national security? Do you believe they should be compelled to disclose such sources when national security is involved?

10. (NEW) What is the Connecticut Intelligence Center? What are its purposes, duties, and funding sources?

11. (NEW) Do you feel the police and other first responders in the state are equipped to deal with a terrorist threat?

12. (NEW) Does the federal Homeland Security Department have to certify Connecticut's emergency plans? Does it require regular testing of the plans?

13. (NEW) Even though the Broadwater liquefied natural gas facility is proposed for New York State waters, it has generated widespread public safety concerns in Connecticut. Can your agency alleviate these concerns? If so, how?

14. (NEW) Several officials have proposed creating a “no-fly” zone over the proposed facility to address concerns about terrorism. Is this feasible and/or desirable?

VR: ts