Skip Navigation
Home Information Sharing & Analysis Prevention & Protection Preparedness & Response Research Commerce & Trade Travel Security & Procedures Immigration
About the Department Open for Business Press Room
Current National Threat Level is elevated

The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.

Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Fact Sheet: DHS Provides Security for Presidential Inaugural 2005

Release Date: 01/11/05 00:00:00

On November 8, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the 55th Presidential Inaugural was designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE) establishing the U.S. Secret Service as the lead federal agency in charge of the design and implementation of the operational security plan.  DHS has been working with federal, state and local partners to ensure attendees to the 55th Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies are able to safely and securely enjoy one of the greatest celebrations in American democracy.  During the activities, these agencies will staff several command centers throughout the Washington, D.C. area in order to maintain constant communication in an effort to prevent and deter potential acts of terrorism.

United States Secret Service (USSS)

  • The Secret Service is the lead agency for the design, coordination and implementation of the operational security plan for the 55th Presidential Inauguration. This entails creating the overall security blueprint with partner federal, state and local agencies, while providing leadership to the organizational and operational public safety entities.
  • The Secret Service and its law enforcement partners emphasize the importance of prevention and deterrence for the Inauguration in addition to preparing for a variety of potential situations that may arise during the course of this event.
  • Should the need arise to respond to a tactical threat, the Secret Service is prepared to employ a number of specialized units with unique expertise.
  • For security reasons, specific methods of protection and preparation are not revealed.  However, there is a tremendous amount of advance planning and coordination in the areas of venue, motorcade and airspace security, communication, credentialing and training. The Secret Service began developing the security plan for the Inauguration in early 2004.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • FEMA is the lead agency responsible for providing emergency management coordination and any needed response and recovery assets. FEMA personnel are supporting the Inaugural venues serving in various capacities.
  • FEMA is providing multiple disaster response teams, capabilities, and assets to support the event, including National Disaster Medical System teams and facilities and coordination with the local medical community; Emergency Management Teams and Emergency Response Teams; emergency command and control capabilities; and logistical and communications support.  Specially trained Urban Search and Rescue Teams are also available if needed.
  • FEMA will also be staffing regional and national operations centers and will have teams across the nation.
  • FEMA's office of national security coordination which serves as the lead agent for the federal government's continuity of operations programs is working closely with departments and agencies to ensure continuity of government systems are in place in the event of a terrorist attack or other emergency.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

  • ICE’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) supports the Secret Service by providing uniformed officers, K-9 explosive detection teams, numerous motorcycle and bicycle patrols, a Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV), and other security assets.
  • FPS provides law enforcement support to the Secret Service along certain areas of the Inaugural Parade route, in crowd/riot control response, and in HAZMAT and bomb threat response.
  • FPS will also be providing physical security for various events being held within federal facilities.
  • ICE’s Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) supports the Secret Service by providing enhanced air security coverage of commercial flights into and out of the National Capital Region.
  • ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center is providing 24/7 alien status screening information and other investigative assistance to the Secret Service.

U.S. Coast Guard

  • Coast Guard personnel are providing comprehensive waterside coverage for Presidential Inauguration events, coordinating closely with state, local and federal maritime law enforcement agencies.
  • Several Coast Guard units and personnel are involved in this event including small boats, cutters, law enforcement boarding teams, pilots and aircrew, and support personnel.
  • Coast Guard helicopters are providing aviation support.
  • The Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port is working closely with commercial shipping interests and other waterway users to minimize the effects of security zone enforcement on recreational boating and the free flow of commerce into and out of the National Capital Region.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • CBP is staffing additional aircrews along with Citation fixed wing aircraft and Blackhawk helicopters in the National Capital Region.
  • The National Air Space Security Operations Center (NASOC) manned and operated by Air and Marine Operations (AMO), is providing the command and control for all CBP aircraft.  

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

  • Reagan National, Washington Dulles and Baltimore Washington airports all have an enhanced security posture during the Inaugural events.
  • TSA is providing Assistant Federal Security Directors for Law Enforcement (AFSD-LE) and Aviation Security Inspectors (ASI) to general aviation facilities to ensure compliance with restricted airspace.
  • TSA K-9 teams and security equipment are supporting Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) activities in the Washington, D.C. Metro rail system.
  • TSA aviation and surface transportation subject matter experts have been participating in the Inaugural National Special Security Event planning.

Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP)

  • During the Presidential Inauguration, the Department’s Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) will provide timely sharing of threat information, intelligence, situational awareness and operational information pertinent to the security of the event through the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). HSIN provides real-time connectivity and information sharing among all DHS components and local and state partners.

Science and Technology (S&T)

  • Since September 11, 2001, the S&T Directorate has been working with the National Capital Region installing permanent monitoring systems for the detection of weapons of mass destruction.

Federal, State and Local

The following federal, state and local agencies, and departments are also dedicating security resources to the 55th Presidential Inaugural including by leading the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Steering Committee:

  • Department of Defense
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • U.S. Capitol Police
  • U.S. Park Police
  • U.S. Secret Service
  • Washington D.C. Emergency Management Agency
  • Washington D.C. Fire and EMS
  • Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
  • Washington Metropolitan Transit Police

Visitors attending Inaugural events should check the Secret Service web site at www.secretservice.gov for more information about security.

###

This page was last modified on 01/11/05 00:00:00