The Missouri Office of Homeland Security was established on September 26, 2001. Missouri was the first state in the nation to create an Office of Homeland Security in response to the disaster of September 11, 2001.

 

On July 21, 2005 Governor Matt Blunt signed Executive Order 05-20 effectively moving the Missouri Office of Homeland Security under the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Placing the office under this Department has allowed for better coordination between the Public Safety agencies that do much of the daily work that makes up Homeland Security, such as the State Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

 

In the same executive order, Governor Blunt established the Homeland Security Advisory Council to review state and local security plans and grant funding requests and make recommendations for changes to better protect Missourians. Governor Blunt designed the Homeland Security Advisory Council to be comprised of the Director of the Department of Public Safety and relevant Public Safety Division Directors, but equally as important, Directors of other state departments. This ensures a statewide focus for homeland security and an effective means for coordination of resources.

By Executive Order 06-09, dated February 10, 2006, Governor Blunt made permanent the Homeland Security Advisory Council. It also recognizes the position for a Homeland Security Coordinator, who works at the direction of the Director of the Department of Public Safety. The order also added the Director of the Department of Mental Health.