By Ed Somers
July 25, 2005

Secretary Michael Chertoff July 13 announced a six-point agenda for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to “ensure that the Department’s policies, operations, and structures are aligned in the best way to address the potential threats – both present and future – that face our nation.”

“Our Department must drive improvement with a sense of urgency. Our enemy constantly changes and adapts, so we as a Department must be nimble and decisive,” Chertoff said.

According to DHS, the announcement reflects conclusions drawn as a result of the “Second Stage Review” that examined nearly every element of the Department of Homeland Security in order to recommend ways that DHS could better manage risk in terms of threat, vulnerability and consequence; prioritize policies and operational missions according to this risk-based approach; and establish a series of preventive and protective steps that would increase security at multiple levels.

The Secretary’s six-point agenda will guide DHS in the near term and result in changes that will:

• Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events;

• Create better transportation security systems to move people and cargo more securely and efficiently;

• Strengthen border security and interior enforcement and reform immigration processes;

• Enhance information sharing with partners;

• Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement and information technology; and

• Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance.

Secretary Chertoff said that details of new policy initiatives in these six areas will be announced in the coming weeks and months, including:

• A new approach to securing our borders through additional personnel, new technologies, infrastructure investments, and interior enforcement - coupled with efforts to reduce the demand for illegal border migration by channeling migrants seeking work into regulated legal channels;

• Reaching out to state homeland security officials to improve information exchange protocols, refine the Homeland Security Advisory System, support state and regional data fusion centers, and address other topics of mutual concern.

In addition, a new Intergovernmental Affairs structure is being created, with a combined office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, and a continued intergovernmental outreach operation under the preparedness directorate.

Chertoff has been invited by Conference President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill to participate in the Conference’s Fall Leadership Meeting in September to discuss these changes and other key issues.