Government Agency News

Secretary Napolitano and Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten Sign Letter of Intent on Cybersecurity Cooperation

DHS Press Releases - 11 hours 38 min ago

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten today signed a Letter of Intent to build upon cooperative cybersecurity initiatives to promote a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment.

“The United States is strongly committed to working with international partners to combat threats to security and economic stability,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This Letter will help us strengthen collaboration and cooperation in the area of cybersecurity with the Dutch government to better protect the citizens of both nations.”

“Cybersecurity has become a priority on the international agenda. In January, the Netherlands opened the National Cybersecurity Center, a partnership between the public, private and academic sectors. Bilateral security cooperation between the Netherlands and the United States is already strong and this Letter of Intent will further enhance our collaboration in cybersecurity,” said Minister Ivo Opstelten.

The Letter of Intent signed today recognizes expanded coordination between the United States and the Netherlands, and outlines several areas to further collaborate on cybersecurity including incident management and response activities, control systems security, and cybersecurity exercises.

During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Minister Opstelten also discussed the importance of international security partnerships as well as collaborative efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crime, and ensure a stronger, safer, and more resilient global supply chain. Secretary Napolitano traveled to the Netherlands last June to meet with her counterparts as part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to securing the global supply chain and international transportation systems.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

New: Blast Preparedness and Response Training and Continuing Education

CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response - Tue, 02/21/2012 - 18:00

This course focuses on the effects of explosive events and provides the latest clinical information regarding blast-related injuries from terrorism. It was developed to compliment all hazards disaster response training programs and also serve as an independent training source for emergency responders and hospital staff.

Categories: Government Agency News

Update: Blast and Bombing Injuries

CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response - Tue, 02/21/2012 - 18:00

In an instant, an explosion or blast can wreck havoc; producing numerous casualties with complex, technically challenging injuries not commonly seen after natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes.

Categories: Government Agency News

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Visit to Texas

DHS Press Releases - Tue, 02/21/2012 - 07:00

MCALLEN, Texas—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to McAllen, Texas and joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner David Aguilar to see CBP operations at the Southwest border, discuss the Department’s efforts to secure the border while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and meet with state and local law enforcement officials. 

“The men and women of CBP work hard every day to keep our borders safe while facilitating the trade and travel that are so essential to the economy of the Southwest region and the United States,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This administration has deployed unprecedented resources along the Southwest border and we continue to work closely with our partners at all levels—including other federal agencies, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement, the private sector and the government of Mexico—to secure our border.”

Secretary Napolitano and Acting Commissioner Aguilar visited the Port of Hidalgo, Pharr Bridge, CBP’s Air and Marine Branch, and the Border Patrol Forward Operating Base near Falcon Heights where they saw some of CBP’s capabilities along the Southwest border as well as recent investments in personnel, technology and infrastructure. 

While in McAllen, Secretary Napolitano and Acting Commissioner Aguilar met with DHS employees in the region and held a roundtable discussion with state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to underscore the Department’s commitment to continuing to strengthen information and intelligence sharing along the Southwest border.

Nationwide, illegal immigration attempts, as measured by Border Patrol apprehensions, have decreased 53 percent in the past three years, and are less than 20 percent of what they were at their peak.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

The World Health Organization (WHO) Recommends Vaccine Composition for the 2011-2012 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season

PandemicFlu.gov - Sat, 02/18/2012 - 15:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) Recommends Vaccine Composition for the 2011-2012 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season

Categories: Government Agency News

Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:55

Categories: Government Agency News

QuickStats: Drug Poisoning Death Rates,* by Intent — United States, 1999–2009

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:54

Categories: Government Agency News

Errata: Vol. 61, No. 4

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:54

Categories: Government Agency News

Notes from the Field: Norovirus Infections Associated with Frozen Raw Oysters — Washington, 2011

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:54

Categories: Government Agency News

Ectopic Pregnancy Mortality — Florida, 2009–2010

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:53

Categories: Government Agency News

Community-Based Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs Providing Naloxone — United States, 2010

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 15:53

Categories: Government Agency News

Chief Information Officer Richard Spires’ written testimony for a House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Subcommittee hearing regarding duplicative IT investments

DHS News Releases - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 07:00

Efforts at the Department of Homeland Security to reduce duplicative information technology (IT) investments.

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

DHS Announces Grant Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Preparedness Grants

DHS News Releases - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 07:00

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the release of FY 2012 grant guidance and application kits for seven DHS preparedness grant programs totaling over $1.3 billion to assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector in strengthening our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies in support of the National Preparedness Goal.

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

DHS Announces Grant Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Preparedness Grants

DHS Press Releases - Fri, 02/17/2012 - 07:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the release of FY 2012 grant guidance and application kits for seven DHS preparedness grant programs totaling over $1.3 billion to assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector in strengthening our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies in support of the National Preparedness Goal.

In FY 2012, DHS preparedness grants were reduced by nearly $1 billion from the FY 2011 enacted level and $1.5 billion below the President’s FY 2012 request.

“Given the significant reduction in grant funding this year, we are maximizing limited grant dollars by setting clear priorities and focusing on the areas that face the greatest risk,” said Secretary Janet Napolitano. “The FY 2012 homeland security grants are focused on mitigating and responding to the evolving threats we face while beginning to transition to the new vision set forth in the President’s FY 2013 Budget focused on building and sustaining the core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal.”

Within the requirements of the FY 2012 Appropriation Act, the FY 2012 grants guidance will begin to prepare grantees for the transition to the new grants vision in FY 2013 by consolidating multiple, separate preparedness grant programs into a more streamlined model; addressing the core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal; and implementing a two year period of performance to put grant funding to work quickly.

Given limited resources, grantees are encouraged to utilize grant funding to maintain and sustain current capabilities through investments in training and exercises, updates to current planning and procedures, and lifecycle replacement of equipment. New capabilities that are built using homeland security grant funding must be deployable if needed to support regional and national efforts. All capabilities being built or sustained must have a clear linkage to the core capabilities in the National Preparedness Goal.

The FY 2012 grants focus on the Nation’s highest risk areas, including urban areas that continue to face the most significant threats. Dedicated funding is provided for law enforcement and terrorism prevention activities throughout the country to prepare for and prevent and respond to pre-operational activity and other crimes that are precursors or indicators of terrorist activity.

The FY 2012 grant guidance incorporates input from DHS’ state, local, tribal, territorial and private sector partners and details specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of state and local partners to apply for and utilize grant funding. On February 13, 2012, the Department released the Guidance to State Administrative Agencies to Expedite the Expenditure of Certain DHS/FEMA Grant Funding, which provides a series of initiatives to help accelerate the drawdown of grant funding, enabling grantees to put previously awarded grant funding to work now in order to build and sustain core capabilities and address evolving threats.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)—provides more than $830 million for states and urban areas to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other threats.

• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)—provides $294 million to support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to build and strengthen preparedness capabilities at all levels. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25 percent of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.
• Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)— provides more than $490 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25 percent of UASI funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.
• Operation Stonegarden (OPSG)—provides more than $46 million to enhance cooperation and coordination among federal, state, territorial, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along the United States land and water borders.

Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program—provides more than $339 million to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.

Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP)—provides $6 million to eligible tribal applicants to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)—provides $10 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack and located within one of the FY 2012 UASI-eligible urban areas.

Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) Program— provides $10 million to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from terrorism and increase the resilience of the Amtrak rail system.

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)— provides more than $97 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen risk management capabilities in order to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons.

Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)— provides more than $87 million to owners and operators of transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.

All preparedness grant applications are due no later than May 4, 2012. Final submissions must be made through the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants system located at https://portal.fema.gov.

Further information on DHS’s preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/grants.

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Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Joint testimony of Chief Privacy Officer Mary Ellen Callahan, and Operations Coordination and Planning Director Richard Chávez for a House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence hearing on DHS monitoring of socia

DHS News Releases - Thu, 02/16/2012 - 07:00

The Department of Homeland Security’s use of social media, and the privacy protections the DHS Privacy Office has put into place.

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Statement by Press Secretary Matt Chandler on Secretary Napolitano’s Upcoming Visit to Texas

DHS News Releases - Thu, 02/16/2012 - 07:00

“Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will travel to McAllen, Texas on Feb. 20-21 and will join U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner David Aguilar to see CBP operations at the Southwest border, receive briefings on the Department’s efforts to secure the border while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and meet with state and local law enforcement officials. More details on the trip will be released once they are finalized.”

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Testimony of DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for a hearing entitled “Securing America's Future: The Cybersecurity Act of 2012”

DHS News Releases - Thu, 02/16/2012 - 07:00

A review of the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity mission and how new legislation will strengthen its ability to protect the Nation.

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Testimony of Robert Bray, TSA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Law Enforcement and the Federal Air Marshal Service before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation Security for a hearing addressing the Federal Air M

DHS News Releases - Thu, 02/16/2012 - 07:00

A House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security hearing entitled “Last Line of Defense: the Federal Air Marshal Service 10 Years After 9/11”

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Statement by Press Secretary Matt Chandler on Secretary Napolitano’s Upcoming Visit to Texas

DHS Press Releases - Thu, 02/16/2012 - 07:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

“Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will travel to McAllen, Texas on Feb. 20-21 and will join U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner David Aguilar to see CBP operations at the Southwest border, receive briefings on the Department’s efforts to secure the border while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and meet with state and local law enforcement officials. More details on the trip will be released once they are finalized.”

Categories: Government Agency News, Homeland Security News

Public Health Matters Blog: The Great Flood of 2011, Thailand: A Firsthand Account

CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response - Wed, 02/15/2012 - 16:00

Thailand has a tropical climate with monsoon rains that come every summer. In 2011, the rains were unusually heavy, with a sequence of typhoons sweeping across southeast Asia. Regions of Thailand are now experiencing the worst floods in over fifty years, as water immerses villages, farms, and factories.

Categories: Government Agency News