Homeland Security Education @ TAMU

On May 2, the Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance, and the Colorado Springs Technology Incubator will host the National Security Innovation Competition.  The competition, which is open to teams of up to five undergraduate and graduate students, is designed to allow students to present their original ideas for new products or technologies that can meet existing Security needs, to a wide audience comprised of individuals involved in industry, academia, and various government agencies.

Students will be required to give a fifteen minute oral presentation on their original technology, as well as answer questions about their technology from the audience.  The teams will be evaluated solely on their oral presentation. 

One page executive summaries are due by April 21, and electronic copies of the presentation are due by the April 30.  Students are not required to submit a written paper to be eligible for the competition. 

For more information about the competition, including judging criteria, prize information and competition objectives, visit the competition’s website.  Competition submission or further questions should be submitted to Roger Neeland at rneeland@cstionline.org. 

The Department of Homeland Security has announced five new Centers of Excellence, institutions that are designated to lead research and development in homeland security related fields, as part of the department’s continuing effort to foster the development of new technology and advancements in homeland security.  In total eleven universities will be directly involved in the five new Centers of Excellence. 

The University of Texas El Paso and the University of Arizona at Tucson will serve as the co-leads for the Center of Excellence for Border Security and Immigration.  The Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M was involved in the proposal with the University of Texas El Paso, and is expected to be involved in the educational programs associated with this Center of Excellence.

For more information on Centers of Excellence, or other DHS university programs, visit the DHS website at: http://www.dhs.gov/xres/programs/editorial_0555.shtm.

On March 5th at 1:30 PM (EST) Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator - FEMA National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) and Al Fluman, Acting Director - FEMA Incident Management System Integration (IMSI) Division will host a webcast providing information on the National Response Framework (NRF). The NRF replaced the National Response Plan (NRP) on January 22nd, 2008 and the webcast will cover the differences between the NRF and the NRP, as well as the purpose, and scope of the NRF.

Individuals may view the broadcast by going to http://www.vodium.com/goto/fema/nrf.asp and clicking the “National Response Framework” button that will be displayed there. Or, individuals with Dish TV receivers can tune to Channel 9602 and view the program via the National Preparedness Network.

Individuals viewing the broadcast can submit questions can be submitted during the broadcast by sending an e-mail to: PREPnet@dhs.gov. Or questions can be submitted by calling 1-800-527-4893 during the broadcast.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has released the 2009 Fiscal Year Budget Request.  The request outlines five main goals for DHS, “Protect the nation from dangerous people; Protect the nation from dangerous goods; Protect critical infrastructure; Build a nimble, effective Emergency Response System and a culture of preparedness; and Strengthen and Unify DHS operations and management.”

Chertoff’s testimony then outlines the progress that has been made, as well as the challenges that still exist in meeting these goals.  Specifically, he outlines how the 2009 budget will help to address the areas where the government has yet to meet these goals. 

To view Secretary Chertoff’s testimony in its entirety, go to the Department of Homeland Security’s webpage at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_1203022523404.shtm.

Individuals interested in careers relating to Homeland Security can visit the Department of Homeland Security’s career website at http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/.  The website provides users with a searchable database of careers, information on how apply for jobs, what benefits the jobs provide, as well as further details about Homeland Security related careers. 

On February 1st, the Department of Homeland Security released application guidance for 2008 grants.  Funds will administered through 14 Federal grant programs that all seek to strengthen the nation’s “ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.”  Applications that deal with preparing for and countering IED threats are being especially encouraged, with 25% of funding allotted for this type of application. 

The deadline for IPP applications is March 17, 2008 and HSGP applications must be submitted by May 1, 2008.

For more information, including a comprehensive list of grant programs, as well as funds allotted for each program, visit http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1201882070387.shtm.

The ‘National Response Framework (NRF), An Introduction training course’ (IS-800.B ) is now available to individuals online.  The course teaches students about the NRF, the response doctrine it establishes, the roles of various agencies within the NRF, how to coordinate a multi-agency response, and what the NRF recommends in terms of organizational planning and preparedness.  It is intended for anyone that wishes to learn more about the government’s all hazard response plan at various levels of government or how this plan impacts private organizations or businesses.  

The course is available at http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800b.asp.

Additional information can be found at the NRF Resource Center at www.fema.gov/nrf.  Or by contacting the Independent Study office at Independent.Study@dhs.govor or by calling 301-447-1200 or toll free at 1-800-238-3358, extension 1200 between the hours of 7:30a.m.-7:30p.m. (EDT).   

DHS just released the text of a speech by Michael Chertoff that details the accomplishments of DHS, as well as the priorities for 2008. The full text of the speech can be read at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/sp_1197513975365.shtm. To get the short list of2007 selected achievements, you can go to http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1197477138027.shtm.