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 The results of an annual survey of governors homeland security advisors, released during the recent National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, showed similar homeland security governance structures across states, evolving priorities as a result of current events like the H1N1 pandemic and concerns about sustaining security capabilities under current funding mechanisms.
The 2009 State Homeland Security Advisors Survey, which is in its sixth year, provides an overview of states' homeland security governance structures, strategies and priorities, as well as an examination of the evolving relationship between the US Department of Homeland Security and states in the areas of communications, intelligence sharing and coordination of efforts.
Key findings of the 2009 survey include:
* Pandemic influenza preparedness, which had fallen from the list of priorities in 2008, reemerged as a priority for the states as the H1N1 pandemic played out;
* More than half of states have placed their homeland security operations within a broader cabinet-level department;
* More than half of respondents have positioned their state's primary fusion center under the command of the homeland security director;
* Communications from DHS to the states continued to improve in 2009;
* A strong majority of respondents believe DHS should improve the grant allocation process and work with Congress to permanently restore allowable management and administration funding to 5 percent; and
* States are struggling to sustain their capabilities with the amount of grant funding that is available to them and are hoping for some relief from the administrative burdens that come with that funding.
The priorities identified by homeland security advisors echoed those of previous years and include coordinating the efforts of state and local agencies; developing interoperable communications for emergency responders; identifying and protecting critical infrastructure; exercises and simulations to improve preparedness; and strengthening citizen preparedness.
For more information about this survey and other NGA Center Homeland Security and Technology Division efforts, visit www.nga.org/center/hst
•Date: 25th Feb 2010 • Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Public sector
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