Missouri Among First in Nation
to Overhaul Homeland Security Database
JEFFERSON CITY, July 13, 2006-After consulting with
senior U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials who were
pleased with Missouri’s forward leaning approach to overhauling
our contribution to the national asset database, we learned Missouri
is ahead of other states.
“Before enhanced guidance from DHS, Missouri
recognized the need to purge our critical infrastructure list to ensure
our most vulnerable resources would be protected,” said Paul
Fennewald, Homeland Security Coordinator. “There is nothing
comical about any of the sites we have submitted to our national counterparts.”
In August, DHS plans to conduct a comprehensive nationwide
review of state’s contributions to the national database. However,
Missouri's Office of Homeland Security already recognized the gaps
in Missouri’s database and have taken proactive steps by conducting
an exhaustive three month review of all sites previously identified
in the database resulting in the removal over 800 sites.
After consulting subject matter experts, state and local
officials and first responders, Missouri added other sites to the
national database list.
“Missouri is aware the threat climate is always
changing and the newly updated list accurately reflects a unified,
seamless snapshot of Missouri’s critical infrastructure and
key resources,” Fennewald said. “We will update the database
on a yearly basis.”
Although Missouri’s contribution to the national database list
contains classified information that can only be viewed by those with
security clearance, or need to know basis, Missourians should know
there are no irrelevant locations located in this record.
Listed below is a break down of Homeland Security tools/programs
related to the national critical infrastructure program:
Buffer Zone Protection Program: The BZPP program is
a grant designed to provide planning and equipment for state, local,
and other security professionals to enhance security of priority critical
infrastructure and key resources. The goal of the program is to make
attacking a specific facility more difficult. In FY 2005, Missouri
received $2,447,211 in DHS Buffer Zone Grant funds for 52 Missouri
sites pre-selected by the Federal Government. In FY 2006, Missouri
was awarded $756,000 for the Buffer Zone Protection Program.
Special Events Homeland Security Program: This DHS ran
program provides an objective, calendared framework through which
federal, state, and local entities can identify special events occurring
within their jurisdictions, requesting federal support and training.
Such as fairs, sporting events, VIP visits etc.
National Asset Database: A DHS classified data collection
tool in which states provide specific information on facilities and
the services that they provide. The purpose of the program is so DHS
can better understand what is deemed significant in each states point
of view. Some sites that make the (NADB) list are later considered
for (BZZP) grant money to better enhance their physical security plan.
This is the program that was just recently completed and the updated
list provided to our federal DHS counterparts.
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