Regional Coordination Activities – Office of National Capital Region Coordination
The National Capital Region aspires to be a model of regional coordination for the Nation. The Office of National Capital Region Coordination facilitates a regional model that clearly and strongly encourages local, State, and Federal coordination and cooperation to:
- Maximize efficiency and flexibility
- Eliminate single-points of failure and build redundancies
- Facilitate mutual aid
Coordination activities include efforts relating to protective measures, common credentialing, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) protocols, exercises, and intelligence and information sharing, among others.
Regional Coordination
The National Capital Region has established an unprecedented level of cooperation. Two designees each from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and the Director of the Office of National Capital Region Coordination form the membership of a Senior Policy Group (SPG).
The Senior Policy Group is charged with:
- Defining and implementing strategic objectives
- Meeting regional priorities of preventing and responding to terrorist attacks.
Policy decisions associated with the expenditure of regional resources are made by the SPG with input from the region’s Chief Administrative Officers, the Regional Emergency Support Function Committees, the NCR Emergency Preparedness Council, and Congressional delegations.
The NCR also benefits from coordinated efforts of the Joint Federal Committee (JFC), a decision-making entity that provides a forum for policy discussions and resolution of security related issues of mutual concern to federal, state, and local jurisdictions within NCR. The JFC promotes a focused regional effort among representatives from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government in increasing emergency preparedness and response capabilities for the region.
Regional Activities
The National Capital Region coordinates efforts through a regional governance structure and applies common resources to develop regional capabilities and address preparedness needs. The following are some of the many coordination activities that the region’s stakeholders are engaged in:
- Local, State, and Federal officials are engaged in efforts to coordinate joint inter-jurisdictional training which will ensure consistent methodologies across the region and maximize regional resources.
- The NCR is working to solidify a comprehensive exercise program that will ensure continued improvement through a rigorous corrective action program, measure current capability, and provide realistic training to area responders, government officials, businesses, non-profit sectors, and the public.
- NCR representatives are engaged in inter-jurisdictional planning efforts to establish protocols, processes, and procedures as well as memorandums of understanding that are necessary to enhance regional homeland security.
- NCR representatives are developing a common credentialing system that allows key personnel to move quickly out of, into, or through the National Capital Region in the event of an emergency situation that would otherwise limit movement.
- The NCR is working to enhance regional intelligence and information sharing by examining recommendations, leveraging ongoing initiatives, and identifying additional efforts needed to ensure proper information and intelligence is provided to regional stakeholders.
Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Nov-2007 14:16:29 EDT