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Governmetal Affairs Committee |
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GAC Resources
In Other News
The FAMA / FEMSA GAC would like to thank all the members who participated in the 2006 Home Day Program. Many of you had incredible results, and we encourage you to share those experiences with your fellow members. The GAC has posted a small website with information about some of the Home Day activities by FAMA and FEMSA member companies. Remember - Every Day is Home Day! Please click here to see the site.
Upcoming Events CFSI Annual Dinner. March 28-29, 2007. Washington, DC Hilton. Get your tickets early! Click here for more information. |
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DHS ANNOUNCES $1.7 BILLION AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL homeland security programs DHS Releases Nationwide Interoperable Communications Assessment DHS Proposes New Rules to Secure High-Risk Chemical Facilities U.S.-Canada Trusted Traveler Program Upgraded, Expanded DHS ANNOUNCES $445 MILLION TO SECURE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE US Homeland Security Market May Reach $140 Billion Five Tips to Improve Both Security and Compliance Hawaii Disaster Plan Bolsters Network Bill Targets Non-Emergency Disaster Spending 2006: The Year of the Security Non-Event
FAMA/FEMSA GAC Membership Survey As you know, the FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) is working to
increase FAMA/FEMSA’s dialogue with federal government agencies in an effort to educate key
officials on the important role our industry plays in providing equipment and services to the
nation’s first responders. To help us enhance these efforts, we ask you to take a few moments to
complete the enclosed survey. This survey will help the GAC compile a comprehensive list of
FAMA/FEMSA members’ locations and the congressional senators and representatives for those
locations, an important step in establishing an educational network with the members of
Congress and the administration. http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2262CG544Q2 Please fill out one copy of the survey for each of your company’s locations (There is a space to
indicate each location’s function on the survey.) Surveys do not need to be completed for your
dealerships, if you have any. DHS ANNOUNCES $1.7 BILLION AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL homeland security programs WASHINGTON —The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today fiscal year 2007 grant guidance and application kits for five grant programs that will total roughly $1.7 billion in funding for state and local counterterrorism efforts. With the fiscal year 2007 funding, the department will have invested nearly $20 billion in local planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises. “This year’s grant process will be more user-friendly. There will be increased interaction with all applicants before we award the grants to ensure effective investment.” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The funds will be distributed to reduce risk across the United States, not just in a handful of places. But, let me be clear that the communities facing the highest risk will receive the majority of the funds.” The five programs that comprise the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) encourage a regional approach to strengthening homeland security. Grant funding priorities include reducing risks of improvised explosive devices and radiological, chemical and biological weapons. They emphasize interoperable communications, information sharing and citizen preparedness. HSGP fiscal year 2007 funding totals are: The department has refined its grants programs over the past year to increase transparency, provide a more streamlined and interactive application process, and tier certain core programs according to risk. In addition, the six highest risk UASI cities will be permitted for the first time to apply up to 25 percent of their award toward current state and local personnel dedicated exclusively to counterterrorism field operations. HSGP risk-methodology considers a variety of factors, including intelligence assessments, population size and density, economic impacts, and proximity to nationally critical infrastructure such as international borders. More than 100 law enforcement, emergency management and homeland security experts from federal, state and urban areas will form peer review panels to assess this year’s grant applications. Upon completion of the review process, DHS expects to announce grant allocations by summer 2007. Source: DHS DHS Releases Nationwide Interoperable Communications Assessment DHS on Wednesday released scorecard assessments of interoperable communications capabilities in 75 urban and metropolitan areas nationwide. Interoperable communications involve policies, technology, and training that enable law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services from multiple jurisdictions in a common community to effectively communicate within one hour of an incident. “The 9/11 Commission identified interoperable communications as a major challenge and many communities listened by taking the sometimes difficult steps necessary to close communication gaps among first responders,” said Secretary Chertoff. “Their experience proves that basic interoperability at the command level is achievable. We’re committed to making this a priority in every major urban area, and we’ll continue to push for closing these gaps by the end of 2008.” Since 2003, DHS has awarded $2.9 billion in funding to enhance state and local interoperable communications efforts. While scorecard findings will not directly impact homeland security grant funding, the department expects eligible communities will use the scorecard to target their investment justifications and improve interoperable communications capabilities. More information about this announcement is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1167843848098.shtm. Source: DHS U.S.-Canada Trusted Traveler Program Upgraded, Expanded CBP has announced that three NEXUS trusted traveler programs have been integrated into a single program. This integration means that there will be one application form and fee to participate in all modes of the NEXUS program—air, land, and marine. In addition, NEXUS will provide processing locations at additional airports in Canada throughout 2007. NEXUS is a joint program with the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. “This program is a true success story and demonstrates the strength of our relationship with Canada,” said CBP Commissioner Ralph Basham. “Since its inception in 2002, NEXUS has grown to over 110,000 members, a tribute to the benefits that this program offers. I appreciate that NEXUS improves security while encouraging and facilitating cross-border travel and commerce between our two countries.” Source: DHS DHS ANNOUNCES $445 MILLION TO SECURE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WASHINGTON —The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today fiscal year 2007 grant guidance and application kits for five grant programs that will total roughly $445 million in funding for state, local and private industry infrastructure protection initiatives. These five programs comprise the Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP), which to date have provided more than $1.5 billion in grants to strengthen security at critical facilities ranging from chemical plants to mass transit systems and seaports. “We’re investing resources where risk is greatest and where the funds will have the most significant impact,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “This year’s grants reflect a rigorous, disciplined approach that places risk first, driven by hard analysis from the intelligence community and supported by common sense.” IPP fiscal year 2007 funding totals have increased by $46 million over last year. Specific totals include: Tier I Port Security Grant Program areas are: For the first time, Transit Security Grants will provide award recipients the flexibility to decide where they can better focus their resources. In the past, these awards were allocated in specific amounts for rail and separate amounts for bus. Transit Security Grants will further fund enhanced security for 19 ferry systems in 14 regions. Those systems and eligible award amounts are: IPP grant guidance was also announced today for the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program, $11.6 million; the Trucking Security Grant Program, $11.6 million; and the Buffer Zone Protection Program, $48.5 million; supporting effective critical infrastructure security investments at the state and local level. DHS has refined its grants programs over the past year to increase transparency and provide a more streamlined and interactive application process. The department expects to award IPP grants in spring 2007. Source: DHS Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Appointment of THE Deputy Chief of Staff I am pleased to announce my appointment of Adam Isles as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security. Adam has served ably as my counselor since the beginning of my tenure. He has also earned the respect of senior leadership throughout the department for his work to coordinate matters that cut-across multiple component agencies, ranging from aviation security to ports and border security, and international affairs. Prior to joining the department, Adam served as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. Adam also served the White House on the National Security Council staff as a Director for International Economic Affairs. He is a Harvard Law School graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale University. I am grateful for his service to the department and the American public, and I congratulate him on this promotion. Source: DHS US Homeland Security Market May Reach $140 Billion The market for homeland security products and services in the United States is expected to be worth $140 billion in the next five years, increasing 21 percent from estimates of more than two years ago. According to an article on the Security Products magazine website, the survey by the Civitas Group found total annual worldwide procurement spending by governments and the private sector on homeland security and anti-terrorism measures was $55 billion for fiscal 2006, a 21 percent increase over Civitas’ five-year estimate in 2004. The biggest spender in the US is the federal government, with $18 billion in “spending which will ultimately result in revenue for contractors and industry serving the market,” the report says. The private and ‘quasi-government’ sector (including port and transit authorities) will spend just over half that, while state and local governments will spend about $3.5 billion. “Over the next five years, the largest sectors of that $140 billion spending on potential contracts are intelligence, 21 percent of the pie, and law enforcement and counter-terrorism, at 17 percent. Counter-measures against biological and chemical attacks are another 12 percent, and cyber, border, port and aviation security all between 6 and 8 percent each,” the article says. To read the full article, click here: http://www.secprodonline.com/Stevens/SecProdPub.nsf/frame?open&redirect Source: Disaster Resource Five Tips to Improve Both Security and Compliance If security managers are frustrated these days, it’s because they now have IT regulatory compliance added to their usual security jobs, says one expert. But shouldn’t compliance mean added security? In a column on the Search Security website, Forester Research senior analyst Khalid Kark says regulatory compliance doesn’t always equal security. “The truth is that it’s possible to have excellent security and be non-compliant, and it’s possible to pass a compliance audit with flying colors and have poor security,” he says. “The misconception that compliance equals security has led organizations to spend excessively on compliance, sometimes at the detriment of security.” To balance security and compliance, Kark says, companies shouldn’t just follow the letter of the law. Those companies who have found a balance “typically go beyond what is required by a regulation, because it makes their environment more secure,” he says. Kark also offers up five principles for balancing regulatory compliance with security, which include: 1. Basing your security program on a security framework, like ISO 17799 or COBIT. 2. Leveraging compliance budgets for information security controls. 3. Automating policy compliance and auditing. 4. Being prepared to manage change in threats and regulations. 5. Creating an effective awareness and training program. To read the full article, click here: Source: Disaster Resource Hawaii Disaster Plan Bolsters Network After last fall’s major hurricane in Hawai’i, the state’s civil defense department is working to implement a plan that could one day see island residents getting cell phone text messages for disaster communications. In an article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Mary Adamski says the Governor’s Comprehensive Communications Review Committee, convened by Hawaiian governor Linda Lingle after the October earthquake, made several recommendations, including the prospect of relaying government information on cell phones. “The wave of the future is not to count on our traditional means of informing people,” Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general, told Adamski. “Technology has changed, and we need to look at multiple means beyond the traditional Civil Defense outlets.” Adamski says the state will take a more proactive role in spreading information through the news media under several of the recommendations. “It will establish an information center for reporters in former National Guard facilities inside Diamond Head, provide updates to the media every 30 minutes or as often as possible, and create a Civil Defense Web site. The state will transmit messages on radio and television through the statewide Emergency Alert System as is done for hazardous weather conditions and might use the electronic overhead signs on freeways,” Adamski says. To read the full article, click here: http://starbulletin.com/2007/01/06/news/story03.html Source: Disaster Resource Bill Targets Non-Emergency Disaster Spending Earlier this week, two Florida Congressmen filed a bill to prohibit disaster aid recipients from using the funds for things like puppet shows, dance lessons and other non-emergency disaster spending. According to an article by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Sally Kestin, one of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Tom Feeney, says they’ve seen cases across the country where the funds were grossly misused. “We’ve seen outrages not just in isolated areas but really across the country where FEMA, instead of using money to give people emergency aid, ice, food and shelter, ends up subsidizing puppet show operators and gumbo cook-offs,” Feeney told Kestin. “Money is going to people who are not even victims of a hurricane,” the bill’s co-sponsor, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, told Kestin. “It’s getting absolutely no results.” The bill says that the director of FEMA “shall ensure that no disaster relief funds are used for any type of crisis counseling, recreation or self-esteem building classes or instruction, including but not limited to dance and exercise classes, bingo, gardening workshops, puppet shows or theater productions.” Spokesmen for FEMA and its federal partner that oversees the grants, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, told Kestin they do not comment on pending legislation. To read the full article, click here: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/16397318.htm Source: Disaster Resource 2006: The Year of the Security Non-Event Remember the big security story of 2006? No? According to one security expert, there’s a reason for that – and it’s not because nothing happened. In an article on the CIO website, columnist Sarah D. Scalet says of 2006, “there was no 9/11 or Katrina. No Sasser or Slammer or Nimda. No ChoicePoint or Bank of America breach. No Anna Kournikova nor even a Paris Hilton. A Digital Pearl Harbor never came to pass; heck, the power didn’t even go out. And when was the last time you got a convincing phishing e-mail about eBay, AOL or Citibank?” But that doesn’t mean it’s good news, Scalet says. “The fact is, it’s not good news that 2006 was the year of the security non-event. It’s not that there were no security events. Precisely the opposite: There were too many, of too little collective consequence. Security quit being an event,” she says. Scalet blames the change on such areas as the media publicizing events too much, attacks as well as the attacks growing more targeted and even stealthier. The goal of security breaches is to make money, not to attract attention. “This spells trouble for those who are trying to raise awareness about security, because it means there is no single event that can serve as a call to action,” Scalet says. “We can no longer pretend that we’re fighting an acute condition. Information security—or the lack of it—is a chronic condition. This isn’t a severe breathing problem caused by a disastrous and unexpected release of toxins into the air. It’s asthma. It can be prevented, treated—or triggered. The question is whether the thousands of small events that happen in 2007 will be preventative steps or just more trips to the ER.” To read the full article, click here: http://www2.cio.com/research/security/edit/a01042007.html Source: Disaster Resource The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatalities: Name: Sidney Hall Fire Department: Upland Volunteer Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter Hall was the first firefighter of a fire suppression crew through the door at a residential structure fire. He had gone approximately four feet into the structure when he fell through the floor into a well-involved basement. Hall was rescued by several fellow firefighters and transported to the hospital where he remained until he succumbed to his injuries on 01/05/2007. Funeral Arrangements: A viewing will be held on 01/12/2007 between 1400-2000 hours in Rediger Chapel at Taylor University, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989-0083. A funeral will be held 01/13/2007 at 1000 hours in Odle Gymnasium on the campus of Taylor University, Upland, IN. Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorials may be made to the Sidney
Hall Memorial, Scholarship Fund, c/o Upland Volunteer Fire Department,
PO Box 83, Upland, IN 46989-0083. Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Sidney Hall at The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: Name: Cecil Tackett, Jr. Fire Department: Flat Gap Volunteer Fire Department Incident Description: Firefighter Tackett died in a motor vehicle accident (personally owned vehicle) while working on a community function sponsored by the fire department. Funeral Arrangements: 12/31/2006 Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Firefighter Cecil Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Cecil Tackett, Jr. at Source: USFA
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