U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary Status Update from the Department of Transportation Michael Lowder, Director Office of Intelligence, Security & Emergency Response
General Both Secretary LaHood and Deputy Secretary Porcari are both very engaged in security and emergency preparedness / response efforts. Deputy Secretary has spearheaded a major Cyber Security effort. Review of all Homeland Security Presidential Directives is underway. A strong all-hazards planning approach.
Cabinet Level Exercises National level exercises continue to focus on information sharing. Communicating with people and organizations needing to take actions, - state / local / tribal / private sector / industry / stake holders Incorporating lessons observed and areas for improvement into plans and policies Ongoing Cabinet member involvement in exercises focusing on radiological release, earthquakes, cyber incidents, explosive incidents, and transit emergencies.
WH - Interagency Coordination Interagency Policy Committees (IPC) 53+ IPCs, sub-ipcs and Working Groups involving DOT Coordinate DOT representation Coordinate DOT s positions on policy issues Domestic Readiness Group Deepwater Horizon Coordination Medical Countermeasures Planning Improvised Nuclear Device Preparedness Effectiveness of the National Exercise Program and its reorientation Chemical and Bio Attack Preparedness H1N1 Federal Response Counterterrorism Support Group
Interagency Coordination DOT participates in the National Interagency Operations Center Working Group Improve information flow, information management, information sharing Mission coordination Leverage capabilities DOT is Chairing the Sub-Group on Emergency Operations Centers training/qualification standards CMC is utilizing WebEOC software to enhance information sharing with Federal, State and Local partners
Planning DOT/ESF-1 is extensively involved in numerous types of planning: Catastrophic - Hurricane Planning - CUSEC Task Force - New Madrid seismic zone (earthquake) - NCR Collaboration Events - National Security Special Events (NSSE s) - Other National Interagency Planning - FEMA ESFLG - IND CONPLAN
Planning DOT/ESF-1 is extensively involved in numerous types of planning: Infrastructure Security Joint Effort with OSD-HD to identify transportation infrastructure critical to DOD mission requirements Highways Ports Rail Aviation Resiliency Self Healing Systems Less vulnerability
DOT Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) DOT SAR Database under development Purpose: Track DOT-wide SAR, do trend analysis and share threats to IC and LE (F/S/L/T) DOT SAR Database will allow connectivity to the National SAR Initiative FHWA exploring ways to connect TMCs with National Fusion Centers to share information at S/L/T levels
Sustaining Essential Government Services (SEGS) DOT has been very active in preparedness for pandemic influenza, especially in issues regarding border screening Focus is on Flu preparedness for the fall Flu-specific SEGS plans being updated to incorporate all hazards - goal is 1 plan versus several plans The key task is to be able to perform mission-essential functions under all conditions with reduced staff
International Efforts Ongoing work with NATO in Civil Emergency Planning (Transportation Focused) Aviation support to NATO military operations Lead in development/conduct training exercises for civil experts in NATO Crisis Management US/China Transportation Forum Additional workshops planned to address response and recovery a wide range of significant transportation emergencies and incidents
International Efforts US Russia Joint Working Group Joint effort to look at lessons learned from major transportation incidents Moscow Subway Bombing High Speed Rail attacks US response to Haiti Multi Modal Assessment Team US Support to Afghanistan Restoration Recovery Ongoing aviation support Surface transportation needs
National Transportation Recovery Strategy Developed by DOT in coordination with DHS and involving many stakeholders National Governor s Association AASHTO Strategy addresses: How transportation recovery fits with community recovery Roles and responsibilities of key players Federal funding opportunities Resource website: www.dot.gov/disaster_recovery/ Additional information: NTRSinfo@dot.gov
DOT - DHS Coordination Partnering meetings with the new TSA Administrator We have quarterly coordination meetings between DOT and DHS (at all levels) The MOU(s) between DOT and DHS now fills a 2 inch thick 3-ring binder DOT and TSA are identified as co-leads for the transportation sector, when the new (all hazard focused) Infrastructure Protection Presidential Directive is issued
Wrap Up QUESTIONS?