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GACP Georgia Homeland Security Task Force

Sonny Perdue - Governor

Georgia’s Plan for Homeland Security

In the Amended FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriation recommendations, the Governor provides funding to match available federal dollars for Georgia's Plan for Homeland Security. Due to the events of September 11, 2001, much scrutiny was given to the current coordination of terrorism prevention and preparedness by various state agencies.

As part of the recommendation, the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) will be created, constructed and equipped. There is a recognized need to establish a single point, state level contact for collecting, analyzing and disseminating credible threat intelligence, information, and data from and to government agencies, the private sector and identified infrastructure targets.

Staff from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Public Safety, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health, Georgia Technology Authority, Georgia National Guard, the Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Military will operate the GISAC and will produce daily situation reports, special analyses, warnings and bulletins as necessary. $1,022,488 was recommended as the state's portion of a 50% federal match to construct the GISAC in amended FY 2002. $377,000 in matching funds is recommended in FY 2003 in the Department of Public Safety to equip the center. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety is currently serving as the Director of Homeland Security for the State of Georgia.

Another component of this recommendation is to provide additional staff and associated expenses to the Department of Public Safety, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to handle the increased responsibilities associated with the operation of the GISAC and other related activities. An additional $795,744 state match was recommended in the amended FY 2002 budget for the three agencies and $1,298,238 state match is recommended in the FY 2003 budget. $75,000 in additional funding match for amended FY 2002 will allow the Department of Natural Resources to more adequately equip the current emergency preparedness and response staff. Along with the additional funding in amended FY 2002, $141,762 state match is , recommended for FY 2003 for additional equipment needs.

Part of the Homeland Security Plan will be addressed by the Division of Public Health by enhancing preparedness and detection activities and enhancing the response capacity. Various changes such as increasing the number of and investigation capacity of district epidemiologists throughout the state, training public health staff and community partners to recognize and respond to bio terrorism, and enhancing traditional disease surveillance mechanisms and rapid communication, notification, and collaboration with federal agencies such as Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. A total of $698,750 is recommended in amended FY 2002 and $2,060,000 in FY 2003 to match federal funding for bio terrorism preparedness and response for the Division of Public Health.

Report to the Governor
September 2002

Submitted by Executive Director, Frank V. Rotondo
Georgia Homeland Security Website: http://www.gahomelandsecurity.com/

GACP Three Phase Response Phase I
GACP RESPONSE

Outreach and Planning:

Georgia Homeland Security Task Force: The GACP has been represented on the Georgia Homeland Security Task Force (GHSTF) since November 2001. The GACP Executive Director and the Police Chief of the Hapeville Police Department are permanent members of the GHSTF. The initiatives of the GHSTF are crucial to the fighting terrorism, securing our homeland, and protecting our citizens.
Jurisdictional Vulnerability Assessment Survey: The GACP coordinated a statewide comprehensive risk analysis to identify potential terrorists targets, potential threats to local assets and infrastructure, and the emergency plans available to respond to any actual attack.
All Hazards Councils: Sixteen police chiefs were named to serve on the state's eight regional All Hazards Councils.
Senate Bill 385: GACP, through the efforts of the their legislative liaison and with the full support of the Association's Executive Board and membership, helped facilitate the passage of this bill by the 2002 legislature. Along with a number of essential components, the Governor was provided with the authority to enact emergency procedures specific to terrorism.
Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program: A new standard was added to the state certification program requiring agencies to establish written criteria for meeting preparedness objectives in the prevention of incidents of terrorism or mass destruction.

Communication and Technology:

Emphasis on technology and information sharing is critical for all homeland security initiatives. GACP worked diligently to ensure all relevant intelligence and sensitive information relating to our state or national security is in the hands of the right people at the right time. Immediate communication capabilities and access to current information are fundamental building blocks for all homeland security initiatives. Critical homeland security information must be quickly disseminated to state and local law enforcement officials and others who play key roles in the protection of our communities.
Planning, which started prior to the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, continued with a greater degree of urgency. In 2000-2001, the GACP, with the support of CJCC, was proactive in securing federal money under an anti-terrorism initiative to provide computers and networking capability to local law enforcement agencies. Over 135 police departments in the State of Georgia who did not have a single computer or on-line access received free computers, Internet access, e-mail, and tech support. This initiative has provided small departments with the capability to respond effectively to sensitive homeland security information.

Training:

Since the 9-11 attacks, the GACP has been at the forefront of providing homeland security training to all police chiefs/heads of law enforcement agency and other law enforcement personnel. Through coordination with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Department of Justice and others, an excellent curriculum has been identified and made available to law enforcement personnel throughout the state.
The GACP has included numerous blocks of instruction in homeland security and terrorism at the Winter and Summer Training Conferences and at seminars conducted around the state.
To date, GACP has made available through our delivery or approval over 2000 direct training hours specifically addressing homeland security and/or terrorist activities to police chiefs/heads of law enforcement agencies.

Phase II
GACP STRATEGIES AND INITIATIVES

What the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is doing now:

Outreach and Planning:

Networking with the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs, the Georgia Sheriffs Association and other agencies to develop and implement a method for measuring and monitoring the quality and quantity of homeland security-related information and training that is reaching the local responder level across the state.
Providing pertinent information to the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
GACP, through coordination with the DeKalb County Police Department and the DeKalb County Homeland Security Chief, is providing an experienced investigator to serve full time as the GACP representative, working in conjunction with the GBI to follow-up on breeches of homeland security. Investigative findings are presented to the GHSTF for dissemination of all pertinent data to law enforcement agencies.
The Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program is monitoring the revised standards for emergency preparedness during the certification and re-certification process.

Communication and Technology:

During the summer of 2002, GACP began coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to distribute free computers, scanners, printers, software, technical support and on-line service to "first responder" departments. Virtually every department in the state is eligible to benefit from this program. Hundreds of new computer systems are currently "on the way" to departments across the state. These computer systems are linked via Internet with the Amber Alert Plan and Levi's Call, and are also available for any and all other law enforcement needs, including those related to homeland security initiatives. To date in excess of 250 computer orders have been placed; this is the highest response of any state in the nation. The actual number of computers distributed in 2002 will be monitored and reported in the next report.
The GACP utilizes their network capabilities to quickly disseminate homeland security alerts and other critical information related to terrorist activities, as well as upcoming training opportunities on terrorism, and relevant legislative updates.
The GACP reviews, filters and provides pertinent homeland security information to law enforcement authorities through the GACP server.
The GACP with the assistance of the Georgia Technology Authority maintains a website, www.gachiefs.com, providing a resource link to the State Homeland Task Force, and other sites of interest, many of which address homeland security issues.
The GACP continues work to provide computer systems to all departments to enhance the flow of crucial information.

Training:

The GACP provides constant and recurring training on unique and/or specific terrorist threats, appropriate methods of deployment, resources and tools available, etc.
Out of the approximately 15,000 - 20,000 contact hours of training provided by GACP to heads of law enforcement agencies each year, we project between 2,000 and 4,000 hours will be dedicated to homeland security and terrorists activities.
The GACP coordinates with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Department of Justice and others, to ensure state-of-the-art training is identified and provided to law enforcement personnel throughout the state.

Phase III
GACP GOALS AND NEEDED FUNDING

Outreach and Planning:

Establish a position for a local law enforcement liaison coordinator to travel throughout the state to provide assistance to local departments, assess needs and vulnerabilities, and establish mutual aid compacts with other local agencies, as well as state and federal agencies. This expertise is critical to ensure all local departments have a well-developed, comprehensive plan that is well coordinated with other emergency services. While the 9-11 attacks occurred in major metropolitan areas, the vulnerability of small communities with significant assets is great, and we must provide these local law enforcement jurisdictions with all requisite resources. With funding for one position, GACP could hire an employee to undertake this mission critical initiative.
The GACP, through its 16 representatives on the GEMA All Hazards Council, will work to communicate between state and local responders and disaster planners to further develop and implement the Homeland Security strategy. Regional councils will begin meeting this fall.

Communication and Technology:

Use the above requested position for the evaluation all law enforcement notifications (be on the lookout or BOLO) issued by the federal, state or local agencies to immediately determine applicability for local law enforcement agencies and disseminate needed information through a secure GACP server. Funding for a secure server would be necessary. Due to the volume and critical nature of these notifications, this area has been identified as a potential risk if sufficient resources are not dedicated to the review, evaluation and dissemination of all pertinent data.
The law enforcement must remain vigilant and ensure the flow of information. However, we must use caution not to overwhelm local law enforcement with extraneous information, while ensuring all critical data is provided for their immediate response.

Training:

The GACP will continue identify and deliver state-of-the-art training to over 550 Police Chiefs and Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies each year, with a significant emphasis on homeland security and terrorism.
Ensure initiatives of the Georgia Homeland Security Task Force are presented to the newly appointed police chiefs/heads of law enforcement agencies at the Chief Executive Training (New Chiefs School) conducted by the GACP.