Local government leaders have long recognized the need for effective coordination and communication when a major disaster occurs. As the threat of new terrorist attacks grows, the National Homeland Security Consortium (NHSC) has issued a new white paper and stepped up its call for a more systematic, organized approach to prevent, prepare, respond to, and recover from major disasters. 

“The recession makes it even more important for us to have a coordinated approach that focuses on national priorities and leverages all of the resources we have in the public and private sector,” said Ron Carlee, outgoing NHSC tri-chair and chief operating officer of ICMA.

The NHSC, of which ICMA is a member, is a voluntary group of 21 national associations formed in 2002 that is committed to working with the nation’s leaders to continue to advance homeland security efforts. The NHSC has identified six priority issues for near-term policy and strategic action by the nation’s leaders:

1. Wisely sustain homeland security investments and efforts while creating incentives for innovative and creative solutions.
2. Allocate the 700 MHz D block radio spectrum to public safety to enhance communications through new technology.
3. Address immigration reform by moving from debate and conversation to action.
4. Develop a methodology to measure homeland security performance in ways that recognize the constantly evolving threat.
5. Make cyber security a priority policy issue for government and the private sector.
6. Develop a more comprehensive and coordinated approach in the rebuilding of communities struck by major disasters.

These recommendations are part of a broader white paper, Protecting Americans in the 21st Century:  Imperatives for the Homeland, a document developed by the NHSC in 2008 and updated in 2010. The white paper offers specific recommendations to enhance national homeland security efforts. Areas of focus include communication and collaboration; intelligence and information sharing; use of the military; health and medical; interoperability; critical infrastructure; surge capacity; sustained resources and capabilities; and immigration, border security, and global supply chain security. 

Click here to read Protecting Americans in the 21st Century:  Imperatives for the Homeland.