Posted by Tim Manning, Deputy Administrator, Protection and National Preparedness

Through our regional office in Denton, Texas, we continue to closely monitor the aftermath of a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Oklahoma late Saturday night -- the largest earthquake in the state's history, according to the U.S. Geological Survey -- along with other severe weather that has continued to impact the state. We have reached out to our state and local partners in Oklahoma and will remain in close contact with them as local authorities continue to assess the damage.

Back in April, I was at Jones Elementary School in Jones, Okla., participating in an earthquake safety drill called the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. In the drill, the students joined millions of others around the country and practiced the steps of “Drop. Cover. Hold On.” – the best way to stay safe during an earthquake.

And I know from experience that practicing for an earthquake can make a world of difference when the real thing happens. Last winter, I happened to be visiting Christchurch, New Zealand when the city was struck by a deadly earthquake.

As both my experience in Christchurch and the recent events in Oklahoma show, earthquakes can happen unexpectedly, and in places that the public doesn’t usually associate with earthquake activity. It’s critical that we all do our part to be prepared both for earthquakes and for aftershocks that can accompany them. We encourage everyone, if you haven't already, to learn how to protect your homes, businesses and loved ones from earthquakes. Visit www.Ready.gov/earthquakes for more information.

To get you started, here are some reminders on staying safe during an earthquake:

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection.

Posted by Secretary Napolitano

This post originally appeared on the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Blog

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to visit the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint U.S.-Canadian command for aerospace and maritime warning, and the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), which provides homeland defense and defense support, in Colorado Springs.

Like DHS, USNORTHCOM was born after September 11th to increase coordination of international, federal, state, and local resources to respond to threats and disasters. Today, DHS and USNORTHCOM are working together closely to improve that coordination across all levels of government, hand in hand with our law enforcement, private sector, international, state, and local partners.

During my meeting with General Chuck Jacoby, the Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, we discussed the continued importance of collaboration and information sharing between our organizations.

DHS is partnering with USNORTHCOM across our shared mission areas. For example, in response to major disasters across the country, from Hurricane Irene to the recent wildfires in Texas, USNORTHCOM and FEMA joined forces to share resources and provide coordinated support in the relief efforts. USNORTHCOM also works closely with Customs and Border Protection along our northern and southern borders, leveraging USNORTHCOM’s expertise and resources in support of our efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations.

And in 2010, we partnered with NORAD, the Department of Justice and Canadian officials on preparedness and protection measures around the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, working together to ensure the safety and security of spectators, athletes, and employees.

I’m proud of the partnerships we have built -- and will continue to build -- with NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and our partners across the homeland security enterprise. Together, we will continue to work to secure our country, protect our hometowns, and strengthen our communities.

Posted by Commissioner Alan D. Bersin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of speaking to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s national security task force. Before I spoke, I listened with great interest to task force chairman and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge emphasize that U.S. ports of entry must be where both security and prosperity thrive.

I could not agree more. In fact, from my view as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I see that our national security and economic security mission are more than complementary activities. Securing the nation's borders—land, air, and sea—while facilitating the flow of lawful people and goods entering the United States is vital to our homeland security, as well as our economic prosperity. And, over the past several years, we have deployed unprecedented levels of personnel, technology, and resources to enhancing both security and legal commerce at our nation’s borders.

As the global security and economic pictures have evolved in the post-9/11 world, so has our approach to border security. This new border paradigm has helped CBP refine our way of doing business by adding more time and space to our inspection process, and allowing us to identify dangerous people and goods at the earliest point possible.

Of course, this new border paradigm will not be fully embraced overnight. While we have made significant progress in the private commercial sector, we need to do more to encourage businesses and individuals to join these efforts. This week, I asked the U.S. Chamber to work with us on expanding trusted traveler and shipper programs and with building better, smarter borders that continue to strengthen security and expedite legal commerce.

Here’s the bargain: If you are a frequent international traveler or U.S. border crosser, or you are involved in importation into the U.S., we urge you to join one of our trusted traveler or shipper programs.  The more goods and people we encounter who participate in these programs, the more resources we can dedicate to those we know far less about. Participate because you want a safer border, or participate because you want your border experience to be faster and easier. Either way, we all win.

Posted by Chris Cummiskey, Deputy Under Secretary for Management

At the Department of Homeland Security, we are committed to ensuring that veterans play a vital role in the Department’s mission to protect our nation.

Recognizing the invaluable sacrifices that veterans make for their country, DHS has developed three strategic objectives to engage veterans in fulfilling our Department’s missions: (1) increasing veteran employment opportunities, (2) expanding contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, and (3) enhancing veteran engagement within the Department.


Yesterday, in commemoration of Veterans Day and in support of our ongoing outreach to the veteran community, DHS opened its doors to representatives from Veteran Service Organizations as part of the Department’s sixth DHS for a Day program.


Participants learned about how their members can find jobs and contracting opportunities at DHS and get involved in community-based efforts such as FEMA’s Citizen Corps.

Following briefings by Department leadership, attendees toured DHS operations in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, including the U.S. Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center for a demonstration of the Secret Service’s protective mission and efforts to combat financial and electronic crimes. Veteran participants also visited the Baltimore Inner Harbor to learn about the U.S. Coast Guard’s missions and obtained a first-hand experience onboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton—the newest National Security Cutter and part of the flagship class of the U.S. Coast Guard Fleet.

Through its DHS for a Day series, the Department is engaging with partners including the veteran community and the private sector to foster a greater understanding of DHS’s role in ensuring a safer, more secure and more resilient homeland.

In recognition of Veterans Day, we thank the men and women who serve us at home and abroad and honor those who have previously served.

Veterans looking for careers and contract opportunities can learn more on our DHS Veterans page.

Posted by: Lee Rock, Acting Director of US-CERT

Today, I participated in the Cyber Atlantic 2011 tabletop exercise, an innovative joint U.S.–European Union (EU) cybersecurity effort to expand international collaboration efforts geared toward incident management and response. The outcomes of today’s activities will strengthen the Nation’s capacity to respond to a cyber incident through mutual support systems and help officials to better understand the common cyber operating picture. 

The Cyber Atlantic exercise is part of the ongoing EU-U.S. partnership to strengthen mutual capabilities for addressing emerging threats to global networks. Through the EU-U.S. Working Group on Cybersecurity – including representatives from DHS’ National Cyber Security Division (NCSD), the Department of Justice, EU member states and the European Commission – stakeholders focus on cyber incident management, enhancing public-private partnerships, and raising awareness about cyber threats, and combating cybercrime. 

In addition to working with the European Union to better understand and mitigate cyber threats,  DHS is enhancing collaboration in the cyber arena with other international partners through bilateral and multilateral engagement.   In accordance with various agreements, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) supports international partners and the broader cybersecurity communities in both the United States and abroad on a range of technical and operational cyber issues.

Posted by January Contreras, Ombudsman for Citizenship and Immigration Services

Through the bi-partisan support and passage of the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, Congress has expressed its strong support of law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting domestic violence and other crimes.  These laws also provide critical support to immigrant victims in stepping forward to report crimes.  This week, we saw Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collaborate with non-governmental organizations to ensure these laws are carried out effectively.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security partnered with the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys' Advisory Council, and Arizona Peace Officer and Standards Training Board to provide training about law enforcement and victim protection tools that exist in Federal laws.  I had the privilege of moderating this gathering of local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, along with officials from Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) who brought their experience and expertise to the forum to advance public safety.  This is just one example of an unprecedented level of outreach being conducted by the Department with state and local law enforcement about these issues.  

Yesterday, in that same spirit, I participated in the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Community Engagement Day where I learned about the challenges facing the participants, and shared the work of the White House Council on Women and Girls and the related efforts of the Department of Homeland Security.  This year's Community Engagement Day addressed the complexities of immigration policies for victims of domestic violence, a particularly relevant topic to the Department.  To illustrate how challenging these issues can be, the program included an exercise illustrating real stories of domestic violence victims.  After this, a USCIS colleague and I were able to listen to feedback, answer questions, and share information about our work with representatives from 56 statewide and territorial coalitions against domestic and sexual violence, as well as tribal network members.     

As the Department of Homeland Security’s designee to the White House Council on Women and Girls, I work with colleagues throughout the Department on our efforts to combat violence against women.  As we continue to advance this work, we are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with state and local law enforcement officials and non-profit service providers who are on the frontlines of responding to domestic violence, to continue providing training and resources based on the situation on the ground.  We look forward to continuing these partnerships in communities throughout the country.

By Warren Stern, Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

Last Thursday, I participated in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office’s (DNDO) Industry Day for the Human Portable Tripwire (HPT) program – a kick-off event for DNDO’s “Commercial First” initiative, which focuses on leveraging private sector development of nuclear detection systems and solutions that meet government requirements. 

The HPT program is an effort to identify and develop more capable personal radiation detection devices – which help detect illicit radiological and nuclear weapons materials – and put them into the hands of more federal, state, and local law enforcement officials by integrating them into standard equipment. 

Through the “Commercial First” initiative, DNDO is working with the private sector to enhance existing radiation detection devices or develop new technologies that will meet the needs of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. This approach will help streamline the Department’s acquisition processes for important security technologies, and play a large part in the broader DNDO acquisition and commercial engagement strategy.   DNDO is facilitating interaction between industry, stakeholders, and researchers to provide faster development and systems that are appropriate for end-users.   

At Industry Day, DNDO provided information to private sector participants about the requirements for commercially-developed technology solutions, so businesses can tailor their products and services for use by law enforcement officials.  Other DHS Components, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration, as well as state and local organizations also discussed their operational needs for current and future radiation detection systems. 

I look forward to continued collaboration between DNDO, industry stakeholders, and state and local operators to create a safe, secure and resilient homeland.

Posted by January Contreras, Ombudsman for Citizenship and Immigration Services and
Margo Schlanger, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Last month, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we met with a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who work on issues related to victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. The meeting provided an opportunity for Department of Homeland Security officials and NGOs to discuss ways we can continue to improve programs and services to protect victims.

During the meeting, we discussed the progress DHS has made in protecting the safety and security of victims of domestic violence and other crimes, including the development of a training program for DHS personnel explaining the requirements of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The training program, which will be available to DHS personnel this month, will cover the obligations under federal law of DHS personnel to protect victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes that they encounter. The training was created by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), in coordination with an intra-agency work group including representatives from the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Ombudsman’s office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Furthermore, this month, DHS is scheduled to release a resource guide for local law enforcement on U visas, which provide immigration protection to eligible victims of crime who are willing to assist with criminal investigations and prosecutions. CRCL is also working with ICE to produce briefing materials for state and local law enforcement including information on victim protections.

All of us at DHS take the issue of domestic violence seriously. We are committed to continuing to work with our partners -- and with employees -- to protect victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes.

Posted by Secretary Napolitano

Today, I am proud to join the American Hotel & Lodging Association and LodgeNet Interactive to unveil a new partnership that will significantly expand the “If You See Something, Say Something ™” campaign.

As part of this partnership, a 15 second public service announcement will begin airing on the “Welcome Channel” in nearly 1.2 million hotels rooms in more than 5,400 hotels in all 50 states. Its message is simple and clear: if you see something that doesn’t look right—an unattended bag or package, a person behaving in a suspicious manner, a vehicle that seems out of place—report it to the authorities. This private sector partnership is another example of how DHS and our nation’s hospitality industry are working together to protect our country, recognizing that security and economic prosperity often go hand-in-hand.

As I’ve said in the past, hometown security is the key to homeland security. Time and again, we have seen the value of public vigilance in thwarting terrorism and crime, including foiled plots against Times Square in May 2010, a Martin Luther King day parade route in Washington state last year, and more recently, at the Ft. Hood Army Base in Texas. Each of these plots could have ended differently—and tragically—had someone not reported suspicious activity to authorities.

Through efforts like “If You See Something, Say Something™”, we can engage all sectors of our community, including the millions of guests that stay at hotels each year, in our homeland security efforts. America’s hospitality industry is a vital engine for job growth and sustainment—and with partnerships like this it is also becoming an increasingly important partner in our nation’s security. Security is a shared responsibility and each of us has a role to play in helping to keep America safe.

You can learn more about the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign on our website.