New state re-entry plan helps rec
By Uyen Le Schneider
Following a disaster, it’s not just emergency
and assist in getting the right people to the right areas
responders and utility companies that need immediate
as soon as it’s safe,” said Homer Bryson, Director of
access to affected areas, it’s also private companies
GEMA/HS.
which provide essential needs and goods to the
The agency previously had a re-entry procedure that
community that need access.
focused on areas of the state that would most likely
With that understanding, the Georgia Emergency
be affected by major disasters, like coastal counties
Management and Homeland Security Agency made
following a hurricane. As of last year, the Georgia
sure to include that factor in the implementation of its
Legislature, the Governor’s office, as well as GEMA/
updated statewide re-entry plan.
HS saw the need to reform the state’s previous re-entry
“At the first sign of a storm, the grocery store is
plan. On July 1, 2017, House Bill 405 went into effect,
the first place people go to stock up on food, water
which required GEMA/HS to create a statewide re-
supplies, and prescriptions,” said Kathy Kusava,
entry system to facilitate the transport and distribution
President of Georgia
of essentials in commerce during
Food Industry
a state of emergency declared
“Our private sector partners
Association. “When
by the Governor. It also required
a storm is over,
the agency to establish a re-entry
play such a crucial role in the
especially if there’s
process for private
rebuilding of a community after certification
been a power outage
entities needing access to a
a disaster."
or flood, the grocery
disaster zone, both before and
store is the first place
after an emergency.
people go to replace the food that’s been lost.”
“The system of re-entry that’s been developed to
That’s why she says it’s so crucial for these private
get us in ahead of time is to avoid any confusion and
industries to be able return to a disaster zone as
ensure we can get products to the citizens in times of
soon as possible and as soon as it’s deemed safe. As
need,” said Kusava. “It’s vital to be prepared so that
president of the Georgia Food Industry Association,
we are able to work with GEMA/HS and able to
Kusava represents retail stores across the state,
communicate with the agency and to have a re-entry
including both small and large supermarkets.
plan ready to go.”
GEMA/HS recognizes the need for private
Upon receipt of an approved re-entry permit
companies, which provide the essential supplies like
application, GEMA/HS will issue electronic re‐entry
groceries, pharmaceuticals, and fuel, to get access
permits to a pre‐identified organization, agency or
into a disaster area to begin the process of getting the
company that is responsible for deploying emergency
community running again.
response or life safety workforce or those that provide
“Our private sector partners play such a crucial
essential public or private sector personnel following
role in the rebuilding of a community after a disaster.
a disaster in the state of Georgia. Issued permits will
Our goal with this re-entry process is to streamline
be assigned based on the phase in which re-entry is
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