George W. Foresman, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) first undersecretary for the Preparedness Directorate, is tasked with bolstering the nation's security through a multilayered system of preparedness measures based on risk assessment and management. Through grants and training on both national and local levels, the directorate fosters a layered system of protective measures to safeguard borders, seaports, bridges, highways and critical information systems. Foresman previously served in Virginia as homeland security adviser and assistant to the governor for commonwealth preparedness.
Why was the secretary of preparedness position created by the DHS?
First was the realization that we dramatically altered our model for managing risk in this country. We used to react to the "last" attack, outbreak or fire in how we prepared for events, protecting the border or addressing public health issues. Post 9/11, protecting the country is not solely about one thing over another, but a combination of things, so Congress and DHS said, "We want to do a better job of managing risk, with a clear realization that we need to treat preparation as a step in the continuum."
The directorate was created to provide that overarching structure; to weave the preparedness thread through all components of our department, stakeholders and sectors; and create a culture of preparedness.
What does it mean for states and localities that depend on various resources the DHS provides?
The resources we provide -- whether dollars, technical assistance, programmatic aspects or specific responses to border security, port operations or emergency response after a natural disaster -- will include a more cohesive, synchronized approach. We're melding government services together to create a doctrine of planning, training and exercises to meet these potential emergencies.
This department is on the precipice of a phenomenal opportunity to coalesce emergency management efforts around the country. A cultural change has taken place with 9/11 and Katrina, and along with it, greater transparency and coalescence between state, federal and local governments.
What is your role in emergency preparedness?
My job is to help coalesce that effort across the emergency management community -- to measure it, and change preparedness from a responsive activity to an overall culture and attitude about preparedness. The approach we've taken permeates everything we do, from checking people before they get onto airplanes to preparing for avian flu, natural disasters or oil spills. It's my job to make sure we have a comprehensive approach in place.
What five things top your list of priorities?
Recognizing that the department is based on an enterprise architecture, I approach these goals with the following priorities in mind: Increase communication; coalesce our focus on the state and federal levels; follow successful models in other federal agencies; increase transparency; integrate the private and public sectors to increase interoperability; and give citizens the ability to prepare by providing information and motivation.
