Nevada Office of the Military to coordinate state agencies during coronavirus crisis
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Governor Steve Sisolak has announced that, starting Monday, the Nevada Office of the Military will coordinate activities between the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, and other state agencies.
According to the statement, the Office of the Military, led by Major General Ondra L. Berry, will help "ensure that the entirety of Nevada’s State Government is utilized effectively and efficiently in response to this unprecedented emergency situation."
Although the Nevada Office of the Military is comprised of the Nevada Army and Air National Guard, and Major General Berry is Adjutant General for the Nevada National Guard, the announcement specified that Governor Sisolak has not formally activated the Nevada National Guard.
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“Now, more than ever, we must work as a team to deliver locally executed, state managed, and federally supported solutions to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Governor Sisolak. “To be successful across the State – from the smallest town, to every Tribal reservation or colony, to our largest cities – we must utilize every resource we have to act decisively and immediately. I’m proud of the action taken thus far by the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, and I am confident that under the coordination of Major General Berry and the Nevada Office of the Military, our statewide emergency operation will become even more organized, responsive, and efficient.”
Major General Berry has enlisted former Chief and Homeland Security Advisor Caleb Cage to assist with Nevada's efforts.
"Both Caleb Cage and General Berry are temporarily assigned with the COVID-19 efforts, and will work in collaboration with other State of Nevada critical agencies to ensure the best strategies are being executed to address COVID-19," the statement said. "The temporary alignment between the Nevada Office of the Military, DEM, and DHHS will only last as long as necessary."
