Homeland Security and Emergency Management


The Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is a division under the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. It was founded in 1951 as the Minnesota Department of Civil Defense, the name was changed after the inception of the United States Department of Homeland Security in 2002. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management helps Minnesotans prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and works to keep Minnesota secure from acts of terrorism. As of 2016, the division has 75 full time employees.

History

Minnesota created its Department of Civil Defense in 1951 when C. Elmer Anderson was Minnesota's governor and color television was introduced. Today the division is called Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Since its inception, the way things are done has changed dramatically, but keeping Minnesota ready for disasters whether they are caused by humans or mother nature has remained consistent. In the past 10 years our country has lived through the attacks of September 11, and the force of Hurricane Katrina. Closer to home, Minnesota has experienced 12 presidentially declared major disasters and four emergency declarations including the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse in downtown Minneapolis.
The financial impact of disasters on communities and individuals can be devastating. HSEM brings in millions of dollars in response, recovery, mitigation and education funding every year.

Staff

Administration

HSEM has six regional program staff assigned throughout the State to assist County and local jurisdictions.
  1. Mike Peterson
  2. Roy Holmes
  3. Heather Winkleblack
  4. Jeanna Sommers
  5. Mark Marcy
  6. Gary Peterson

    HSEM Regions

The Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is divided into six regions with varying characteristics listed below. Population Estimates are based off the 2010 United States Census.
RegionPopulationAreaCountiesTribesCity of the First Class
1 652,8189,832 Sq. Miles162 CommunitiesRochester
2 463,28127,683 Sq. Miles115 NationsDuluth
3 260,61718,461 Sq. Miles143 Nations-
4 622,62314,811 Sq. Miles181 Nation-
5 275,29811,923 Sq. Miles182 Communities-
6 4,029,7324,322 Sq. Miles10-Minneapolis, Saint Paul