By Justin O’Brien
July 16, 2007

Mayors were joined by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials on Friday, June 22 during their 75th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles to discuss mayors homeland and hometown security priorities and concerns.

In opening remarks Homeland Security Task Force Co-chairs Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon reiterated the need for a standalone, dedicated interoperable communications program; greater flexibility and funding to achieve transit security, noting also that for almost five years the nation’s mayors have continuously called for a streamlined and direct federal-city homeland security funding process. These three issues are the core of the Conference’s 2007 national homeland security priorities for the nation’s cities.

Wallace, Gordon and the mayors in attendance noted the advance of legislation including 9-11 Commission recommendations in Congress and increased border security funding. Implementation of the 9-11 Commission recommendations and increased border security with comprehensive immigration reform are Conference policies.

Cities’ Homeland Security Priorities Shared with DHS, Congress, Candidates

Wallace described to the mayors and other attendees that these priorities have been clearly communicated with the DHS leadership including Secretary Chertoff, FEMA Director Paulison and the Presidential candidates as well as the membership of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Gordon, recently appointed as Task Force Co-chair by Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer reiterated that true federal-city partnership is critical to both ensure city preparedness and meet homeland security needs while assuring hometown security.

FEMA was represented by Region IX Director Nancy Ward who explained that reforms and changes at FEMA since Hurricane Katrina are geared to ensuring improvements in communications, logistics planning and systems, command and control systems and movement of commodities. The response to Hurricane Katrina identified critical flaws in FEMA operations and readiness. She assured the mayors that FEMA is ready for the forthcoming hurricane season and are leaning forward to go beyond what is mandated by law to ensure FEMA readiness. Ward also described the tremendous effects on alleviating first responder burden brought about by 72-hour personal preparedness measures by city residents. Ward also asked the mayors to encourage young people in cities to consider the value of a public service career with FEMA.

In her third successive meeting with mayors and city staffs in as many months in Washington and with the Conference of Mayors, DHS Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Programs, Anne Petera explained that the new DHS structure and re-energized state and local focus in her office is designed to strengthen the federal-local homeland security partnership. Her office is also focused on promoting regional security cooperation and enhanced working relations with state preparedness representatives. She asked the mayors for continued partnership and vigilance against national threats in the face of national threat fatigue. On reports of unspent federal funds, Petera explained that these funds are in reality already allocated and committed to specific projects. On the ongoing issue of federal reimbursement for homeland security expenditures Petera described that reimbursement processes are prescribed by law and that changes in the processes require congressional action.