March 29, 2004—The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released highlights of its first year of operations, along with future priorities for national security. DHS was created on March 1, 2003 as the 15th department in the federal government, with a majority of its 180,000 employees merged from 22 other agencies. A few highlights from the department’s first year include:
- Threats Mapped Against Vulnerabilities—Created a new capability to analyze threat information and ultimately use it to take specific targeted steps to protect key infrastructure.
- US-VISIT (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology)—Enhanced the nation’s security while facilitating legitimate travel and trade through US borders; launched at major airports and seaports.
- Homeland Security Operations Center—Implemented the most comprehensive 24-7 warning system in the United States by bringing 26 federal and local law enforcement agencies and Intelligence Community members into the same system.
- Record First Responder Funds[—In record time, allocated $8 billion to support state and local emergency preparedness efforts.
- BioWatch—Improved the nation’s protections against bioterrorism by deploying environmental sensors to major cities across the nation to quickly detect airborne pathogens, such as anthrax, in time to distribute life-saving pharmaceuticals.
- State and Local Preparedness Coordination—Provided more effective coordination with all levels of government so that extensive advance planning and training resulted in faster deployment of resources and manpower.
Priorities for Second Year:
Drawing from the strategic plan, the DHS has identified seven key priorities for its second year. Each includes specific actions that the department is committed to achieve by March 1, 2005:
- Priority #1: Stronger Information Sharing and Infrastructure Protection
Priority #2: Interoperable Communications and Equipment
Priority #3: Integrated Border and Port Security Systems
Priority #4: New Technologies and Tools
Priority #5: More Prepared Communities
Priority #6: Improved Customer Service for Immigrants
Priority #7: 21st Century Department
For specific details on programs within each of these priorities, visit DHS.
