|
|
|
| Quick Links |
For information regarding the All Hazards Consortium, please visit www.ahcusa.org
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
Welcome to the All Hazards Consortium's quarterly newsletter. Much progress has been made on many fronts over the past several months, and as we look to the second half of the year, our primary focus will continue to be on developing key partnerships, facilitating various grants and projects, and fine-tuning the white paper "project idea" process to bring resources to the states. Many thanks to all who continue to invest time and energy into the critical mission of improving the region's all hazards preparedness.
We invite you to share this newsletter with your peers, and welcome your participation in the AHC regional efforts to support the states.
Thanks,
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
| AHC Board News |
On May 4th, the AHC Board of Directors elected new officers for 2009, effective June 1. New officers are as follows:
- President - Darrell Darnell, Director, DC Homeland Security & Emergency Mgmt Agency
- Vice President - Tom Steele, CIO/CTO, DE Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Secretary - Jackie Wasni, VP, Motorola Mid-Atlantic Region
- Treasurer - Jim Spears, Secretary, WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety
Bob Crouch (VA, former Board President) and Evalyn Fisher (PA, former Board VP) will remain on the Board. The Board also recognized the leadership of past Board members Gordon Johnson, Kelly Kirwan, Brian Darmody and Jim "Smokey" Stanton. For a complete list of Board members, see http://www.ahcusa.org/leadership.htm.
Also on May 4th, the first meeting of the newly formed Regional Executive Advisory Group (REAG) was held to review the process which will be used to support the Board and to discuss the role of REAG to help further develop partnerships in federal government, the regional states and private sector. This group represents the Consortium's vehicle to continue leadership and expand educational efforts within the region. Each member is volunteering their personal time to help the states in their mission to promote regional collaboration. Inaugural members include:
Public/private sector members:
John Contestabile (Chair) - Director, MD Communications Interoperability Program
Bob Crouch - Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Commonwealth Preparedness
Tim Beres - former DHS Grants and Training Director, Principal at CNAC
Chris Geldart - former Director, DHS/FEMA Office National Capital Region Coordination
Dennis Schrader - former Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, FEMA
Bob Stephan - former Asst. Secretary, DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection
Pat Wheeler - CEO, Integrity Consulting
Steve Hooks - CSC Program Manager
Harvey Johnson - BAE, former Deputy Director, FEMA
Former AHC Board members:
Brian Darmody - University of MD
Gordon Johnson - NJ Assemblyman
Kelly Kirwan - Motorola
Jim "Smokey" Stanton - Insight Solutions
|
| Recent and Upcoming AHC Events |
On May 5-6, a regional AHC Spring Workshop was held at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware. Tracks included the RCPGP Evacuation grant and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and Interoperability Working Groups. DHS Earth iCAV and FEMA ISAVE (Integrated Situational Awareness Visualization Environment) demos were held, along with various private sector presentations. Many thanks to our sponsors for their support of this effort: SAIC, Safe Patient Systems, Digital Sandbox, SkyTerra Communications, Raytheon, Michael Baker Jr., GeoDecisions, Motorola, Rx Response, Verizon Business, Tyco Electronics, FATPOT Technologies and First Line Technology.
Workshops under discussion for 2009 include Cyber Security and Port Security and Resiliency. Watch the AHC website for more details.
AHC Informational Webinars regarding the history, mission, partnerships and work of the All Hazards Consortium continue to be offered monthly. Tom Moran, AHC Executive Director, and government guests provide an overview of this unique public-private partnership. There is no cost to attend - simply register via the AHC website at www.ahcusa.org.
|
| AHC Working Group Updates |
The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Working Group had a very productive meeting at the AHC Spring Workshop in May. A highlight of the session included review of the following white paper "project ideas":
- Mid-Atlantic Regional Preparedness Analysis Center (MARPAC)
- Rail / Transportation Initiative
- Regional Broadband Communications
- Energy Systems Resiliency Program (ESRP)
A federal update on HITRAC was presented, including risk profiles and risk landscapes. The session concluded with government Working Group representatives providing updates on activities in their states.
The CIP Working Group, in conjunction with DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection, the RCCC (Regional Consortium Coordinating Council) and regional private sector owner/operators from several critical sectors, recently completed a highly successful eight- week webinar series on CIP Interdependencies. The next step in this effort will be a regional CIP Interdependencies baseline report of existing "interdependencies efforts" within the region by New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
Other current initiatives include a joint federal and state partnership on access and credentialing frameworks.
The Public Safety Communications and Interoperability (PSCI) Working Group also conducted a summit meeting at the AHC Spring Workshop. Highlights included discussions on the regional communications interoperability capability assessment project and a white paper "project idea" involving Regional Broadband Communications. This Working Group is also actively working with FEMA's RECCWG to ensure that efforts are coordinated.
The Emergency Management Working Group continues to focus on the RCPGP (Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program) multi-state grant. In addition, the group is finalizing the Border Coordination Summit Report, to be released this summer.
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advisory Group has finalized the GIS White Paper, sponsored by Argonne National Labs and produced as an outcome of the regional AHC GIS Workshop held in July, 2008 at Towson University, where state representatives assembled to discuss their state GIS efforts and needs. The report captures many of the important aspects of GIS as it relates to the technology itself as well as its applications in the Emergency Management community. Regional findings and recommendations in the paper include items such as; the need to share GIS information among adjoining states during incidents that have multi-state impacts, the development of a common operating infrastructure, and the inclusion of GIS in exercises. All AHC white papers are available at www.ahcusa.org.
|
| Federal Partnerships |
The AHC has been invited by FEMA to present and participate in their RISC (Regional Interagency Steering Committee) meeting in Philadelphia, PA this month. This is a bi-annual meeting with FEMA's state and federal partners to coordinate and collaborate on specific efforts. The AHC also participates in FEMA's Region III Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and the FEMA Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group (RECCWG). The FEMA/AHC partnership is a productive and mutually beneficial effort and has demonstrated tangible results and improved communications and collaboration within the region.
DHS Science and Technology and the AHC have partnered in the past to produce several regional white papers. Looking forward, they are exploring joint efforts that would further bring the states and private sector owner/operators into the long-term collaboration efforts that would support DHS research planning in the future. More to come...
DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection (OIP) is working with the AHC states on several key efforts focused on CIP white paper related issues ranging from process to projects. One of the key focal points of both the states and DHS is the engagement of private sector owners and operators. The AHC is serving as the liaison on everyone's behalf to bring together the "people who own the problem" on all sides of the table and foster the collaboration needed to bring about improved relationships, coordination and results. |
| Regional Project and Grant News |
CIP Project - The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is kicking off the effort with the state of NJ to produce a baseline assessment of CIP interdependencies projects in our region. By looking at regional efforts, states along the East Coast will have a better understanding of best practices that can be applied in planning for recovery of catastrophic events.
Interoperability Project - The AHC Public Safety Communications and Interoperability Working Group is in the final stages of review for a regional Communications Interoperability Capability Assessment award, with the baseline assessment expected to commence shortly.
Emergency Management Project - The AHC will be publishing a summary report this summer from the recent Border Coordination Summit Meeting that identifies the three top issues per function that exist in border coordination efforts. A report identifying existing catastrophic planning organizations, task forces and efforts as they relate to multi-state border coordination issues is also planned.
Regional Catastrophic Planning Grant Program - Several of the RCPGP projects have begun active planning. The behavioral study is nearing survey stage. Modeling & Simulation, Resource Management and Mass Care have finalized Project Planners and are commencing active planning phases.
|
| AHC Corporate Member Spotlight |
|
Tapestry Solutions Inc. of San Diego is proud to announce two new products for the Homeland Security and Emergency Management community. Panorama® is a map-centric Incident Management software that works for both the Field Incident Commander and a community, federal, or private sector Emergency Operations Center. Panorama® allows a user to draw their incident with overlays, DHS icons, and labeling. It also allows for posting of documents on the incident map including ICS Checklists, National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Action Plans (IAP), Joint Information Center (JIC) media releases, vehicle tracking, location, and much more. Panorama® fulfills the NIMS intent of Common Operation Picture for the nation by allowing every level of government and responder to map and share documents, attach video, photos, and other critical information. Incident Views are sharable as well as documents to allow any user at any level to track a single or multiple incidents and read the progress of Incident Management. This will allow agencies at the state and federal level to anticipate levels of resource support needed and the time to mobilize logistics. Panorama® can integrate with any user map system and can be run in low bandwidth environments from a smart client or web client. The best news is that Panorama is easy to learn and use in under 20 minutes! Tapestry is providing the Homeland Security needs of tomorrow in Panorama® today.
For those interested in testing elements of their Emergency Operations Plans (EOP) in a realistic format, Tapestry Defender® provides detail simulation that can run a single function or multiple functions of any EOP. Defender® can also integrate with the map view platform of Panorama® to provide a dynamic tabletop and low personnel way to test elements of your plan in a visual format. Defender® can test shelter management, evacuation logistics, resource management, and many other elements of the EOP. For information on Tapestry Solutions visionary Homeland Security products, contact Paul Hess, Market Manager for Homeland Security at 858-429-3379.
|
| People on the Move |
On June 5, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) Director Richard L. Cañas was appointed to the United States Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) by United States Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The Homeland Security Advisory Council was created in 2002 as part of the congressional act that established the Department of Homeland Security. The Council, which serves in an advisory capacity, provides policy recommendations and strategic advice to the Homeland Security Secretary on matters related to the nation's homeland security. Council members are appointed by the Homeland Security Secretary and are drawn from various professions, industries and communities. The Council consists of national leaders in subject matter areas such as police, fire, and emergency medical services; public health; elected and appointed state and local government leaders; experts in academia; and private sector leaders, including owners and operators of critical infrastructure sites and key industries. Cañas will remain in his position as the state's Homeland Security Director. | |
|
|
|
|
|
