Intelligence sharing discussed at Nevada Homeland Security meeting

On Tuesday, October 16, 2012 the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security held its quarterly meeting in Carson City. Gov. Brian Sandoval, chairman of the Homeland Security Commission, along with 16 commission members tackled a lengthy agenda, including committee updates, recommendations and implementation of new processes.
 
The Nevada Commission on Homeland Security is created in statute (NRS 239C), with the stated goal of making recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding actions and measures that may be taken to protect residents of this State and visitors to this State from potential acts of terrorism and related emergencies.  The Commission proposes goals and identifies programs that support counter terrorism and related emergency preparedness efforts in the state.  Additionally, the Commission examines the deployment and coordination of response agencies within the state, identifies and assesses vulnerability of statewide critical infrastructure, and is responsible for reviewing compatibility of statewide information systems and communications interoperability.

Commissioner Sheriff Mike Haley, Chairman of the State of Nevada Network (SONNet) Committee provided an update on the outcome of the committee’s recent activities including the most recent meeting held on October 15, 2012.  The SONNet Committee is tasked as the State of Nevada’s governmental authority supporting the federal government’s First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) consultations and implementation obligations with state, local and federal agencies including tribal, private sector and regional interests. Sheriff Haley discussed the Notice of Inquiry (NOI) released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the request of FirstNet for the establishment of a federal framework.  He also added that the committee has reached out to other western states, such as Arizona, to establish concepts for a governance model.  
 
The Commission heard a presentation from Commissioner Bob Fisher with the Nevada Broadcaster Association giving an update on the proposed bylaws for the NCHS.  The commission deliberated and discussed changes and ultimately voted unanimously to adopt the new bylaws with changes suggested by the Commissioners.
 

Commissioner Sheriff Gillespie discussed the outcome from the Finance Committee meeting held on October 3, 2012.  After a brief review of the recommended items the Commission voted unanimously to approve several DHS grant funding de-obligations and re-obligations totaling $3.4 million.  The Commission directed the Finance Committee to rehear, for consideration, three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant requests that were denied at the October 3, 2012 meeting. 
 
An update on the State Homeland Security Strategy (SHSS) was given by Angela Krutsinger, Committee Advisory Member. The update gave an overview the action items and the status of updating the state strategy document; which outlines the vision, goals, and objectives for funding DHS grant program projects. 
 
Chief Chris Smith and Grants Manager, Rick Martin with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security (NDEM) introduced the new NDEM Grants Management Guide and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The Grants Management Guide is an additional resource for sub-grantees outlining the details and process for each grant program.  The MOU is required under federal grant guidance that allows the state more flexibility in administering funds from the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP).
 
Commissioner Chief Smith from NDEM, proposed an intelligence and information sharing committee that would act as the governance body for the state’s two fusion centers, the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center (SNCTC) and the Nevada Threat Analysis Center (NTAC).   The primary role of this governance body would be to determine and direct a strategic direction for statewide intelligence and information sharing.  After some deliberation by the Commission, Governor Sandoval asked Chief Smith and the Fusion Center Directors to report back to the Commission on the status and future direction of the state’s fusion centers at the February Commission meeting; to further consider the role, responsibility, and membership of an intelligence fusion governance body.
 
Captain Al Salinas, Director of the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism (SNCTC), and Lieutenant Ryan Miller, Director of the Nevada Threat Analysis Center (NTAC) addressed the Commission on a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs permanent subcommittee on investigation report published on October 2, 2012.  The Report was critical of the Department of Homeland Security and fusion centers nationwide. Captain Salinas & Lieutenant Miller briefed the commissioners on the process Nevada's fusion centers follow, adding that the criticisms outlined in the report were not representative of how intelligence fusion is conducted in Nevada. The directors pointed out several areas of achievements, quoting statistics measuring each centers success and outlined the procedures and polices in place to protect civil rights and civil liberties of Nevada citizens. 
 
NDEM’s Planning, Training and Exercise Manager, Paul Burke briefed the commissioners on the status of the Threat, Hazard, Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process, a new requirement for the receipt of federal DHS funds. This assessment report is used to identify threats and hazards in Nevada understanding potential consequences.
 
The last presentation was given by Vice Chairman, Bob Dorsey of the Critical Infrastructure Committee (CIC).  Vice Chairman Dorsey announced Commissioner Bertral Washington, Chief of Clark County Fire as the new Chairman of the CIC. Dorsey briefed the commissioners that the CIC is reviewing and updating the Nevada Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan and will present the plan in February’s Commission Meeting.

— Writer Gail Powell is the Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Public Safety Emergency Management/Homeland Security