|
The Department of
Military Affairs and Public Safety has three seamless, but unique
missions in its service to the State of West Virginia
Military Affairs
Military
Affairs Divisions:
the National Guard and the Division of Veterans Affairs
The National
Guard serves a dual
federal-state mission unique to the
U.S.
military and sets the National Guard apart from any other reserve
component. The
distribution of soldiers, equipment and facilities across the state
allows the National Guard to respond quickly and efficiently to
emergencies statewide. The Guard also serves a federal mission
through deployment of personnel and resources in support of US
operations around the world. The Division
of Veterans Affairs assists
WV veterans and their dependents in obtaining all benefits to which
they are entitled, both federal and state.
West Virginia
has the highest number of veterans, per capita, in the nation.
Public Safety
Public
Safety Divisions:
the State Police, the Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management, the
Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, the Division of
Corrections, the Division of Juvenile Services, the Division of
Protective Services, the Parole Board, the Office of the Fire
Marshall and the Division of Criminal Justice Services
The public safety divisions residing within DMAPS have a mission to
provide police, security, emergency management, adult correctional
facilities and juvenile justice services to name a few. A
government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and
security of its citizens. DMAPS agencies are responsible for
providing such a safe environment.
A major component of this is the state’s ability to respond
to natural and man-made disasters; a role that encompasses many of
DMAPS services.
Homeland
Security
Homeland Security Division: the
State Administrative Agency (SAA)
Cabinet Secretary
James W. Spears
was appointed by the Governor to serve as
West Virginia
’s Homeland Security Advisor.
Within the Office of the Secretary resides the State
Administrative Agency whose primary responsibility - at the
direction of the Secretary - is planning and implementation of
measures in direct support of homeland security; federally,
regionally and locally. The SAA provides guidance, direction and
coordination in mobilizing, organizing, and preparing the State of
West
Virginia
for acts of terrorism and man-made or natural disasters. The
SAA develops and coordinates the implementation of a comprehensive
state strategy and performs the functions necessary to carry out the
mission. |
