Executive Order 1: An Order Updating the State of Maine Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery Teams

Executive Order

FY 25/26

WHEREAS, emergency preparedness planning for all potential hazards – whether natural, technological, or human-caused – is essential to protect the public health, safety and welfare;

WHEREAS, effective emergency preparedness requires a coordinated, collaborative effort across State agencies to respond, mitigate damage and coordinate recovery;

WHEREAS, the Maine Emergency Management Agency, pursuant to 37-B M.S.R. § 701 et seq., is charged with the responsibility of preparing and maintaining the State of Maine Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP); and

WHEREAS, the CEMP describes the responsibilities and participation of appropriate state agencies;

WHEREAS, emergency management and disaster recovery teams are necessary for the implementation of the CEMP;

WHEREAS, the membership and responsibilities of such teams were addressed by Executive Order 2015-010, and it is necessary and appropriate now to update that Executive Order;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, pursuant to authority conferred by Me. Const. Art. V, Pt. 1, §§ 1 & 12, do hereby Order as follows:   

  1. Establishment, Purposes, Membership, and Duties
    1. Emergency Response Team. The Maine Emergency Response Team (ERT) is hereby established.
      1. Purposes. The ERT serves the following purposes:
        1. Assists with the preparation of the State Emergency Operations Plan (State EOP), which is a part of the CEMP;
        2. Responds to area or statewide emergencies while reporting to the State Emergency Operations Center (State EOC) to coordinate the efforts of State agencies and other ad hoc organizations; and
        3. Assists in appropriate response efforts.
      2. Membership, Chair. The Maine Emergency Management Team shall consist of the following members:
        1. Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, who shall serve as Chair;
        2. Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services;
        3. Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry;
        4. Commissioner of the Department of Corrections;
        5. Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management;
        6. Commissioner of the Department of Education;
        7. Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection;
        8. Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services;
        9. Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;
        10. Commissioner of the Department of Labor;
        11. Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources;
        12. Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety;
        13. Commissioner of the Department of Transportation;
        14. Executive Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority;
        15. Director of the Governor's Energy Office;
        16. Chair of the Public Utilities Commission; and
        17. The Director of the Governor's Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future; and
        18. Other members appointed by the Chair that may include representatives of federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

          Members serving ex officio may delegate their duties under this Order to a designee by informing the Chair in writing. Designees must have the ability to make decisions on behalf of their member organization.
      3. Duties. At the request of the Chair, ERT members shall:
        1. Provide assistance and information to prepare or update portions of the State EOP and other implementing instructions applicable to that member's agency;
        2. Establish relationships with appropriate private and non-profit partners, including through contracts and other agreements as necessary to respond to catastrophic disasters;
        3. Establish policies and procedures pursuant to non-Stafford Act declarations;
        4. Participate in training to prepare for emergency response operations;
        5. Participate in exercises to test the State EOP and the team's readiness to assist in the response to a disaster;
        6. Respond to the State EOC or other location as directed in the event of a disaster;
        7. Assist in coordinating the response of State agencies in the event of a disaster or other emergency; and
        8. Implement other responsibilities outlined in the State EOP.
    2. Disaster Recovery Team. The Maine Disaster Recovery Team (DRT) is hereby established.
      1. Purposes. The DRT serves the following purposes:
        1. Assists with the preparation of the State Interagency Disaster Recovery Plan (IDRP), which is a part of the CEMP; and
        2. Assists in appropriate short, mid and long-term recovery efforts.
      2. Membership, Chair. The DRT shall consist of the following members:
        1. Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, who shall serve as Chair;
        2. Commissioner of the Department of Administration and Financial Services;
        3. Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry;
        4. Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management;
        5. Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development;
        6. Commissioner of the Department of Education;
        7. Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection;
        8. Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services;
        9. Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
        10. Commissioner of the Department of Labor;
        11. Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources;
        12. Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation;
        13. Commissioner of the Department of Transportation;
        14. Director of the Governor's Energy Office;
        15. Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation, and the Future;
        16. Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs;
        17. Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine;
        18. Director of the Maine State Housing Authority;
        19. Executive Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority;
        20. Executive Director of the Volunteer Maine Commission;
        21. Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General;
        22. Director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission;
        23. Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission;
        24. State Archivist of the Maine State Archives;
        25. State Librarian of the Maine State Library;
        26. Director of the Maine State Museum; and
        27. Other members appointed by the Chair that may include representatives of federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

          ​​​​​​​Members serving ex officio may delegate their duties under this Order to a designee by informing the Chair in writing. Designees must have the ability to make decisions on behalf of their member organization.
      3. Duties. At the request of the Chair, DRT members shall:

        Provide assistance and information to prepare or update portions of the State IDRP and other implementing instructions applicable to that team member's agency;

        1. Establish relationships with appropriate private and non-profits partners, including through contracts and other agreements necessary to recover from catastrophic disasters;
        2. Establish policies and procedures pursuant to non-Stafford Act declarations;
        3. Participate in training to prepare for disaster recovery operations;
        4. Participate in exercises to test the State IDRP and the team's readiness to assist in the recovery from a disaster;
        5. Respond to emergency conditions and events as necessary, and to the State EOC when requested;
        6. Assist in coordinating recovery operations of State agencies in the event of a disaster or other emergency; and
        7. Other responsibilities outlined in the State IDRP.
  2. Staffing and Support

    ​​​​​​​The Maine Emergency Management Agency shall provide and maintain the necessary administrative and technical staff to carry out this Order. All necessary expenditures incurred by the members while in performance of their duties on the ERT or the DRT as authorized by Maine law and current employee contracts shall be borne by their respective agencies.

Signature of Janet Mills

Janet T. Mills
Governor