NASTTPO Editor

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans transfers command

August 26, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

WHO: Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

WHAT: Alter-of-command ceremony.

WHEN: Friday, June 22, 2012 at 10 a.m.

Exactly where: Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans on board Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, 400 Russell Ave., New Orleans, La. 70143.

NEW ORLEANS&nbsp&mdash Cmdr. Michael J. Brandhuber will relieve Cmdr. Frederick Riedlin as the commanding officer of&nbspCoast Guard Air Station New Orleans&nbspduring a adjust-of-command ceremony in Belle Chasse, Friday.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition, which formally restates the continuity and authority of command. It entails the total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one particular person to another.

Editor’s note: Media wishing to attend the event have to contact Petty Officer Ryan Tippets @ 504-671-2020 to RSVP. Media need to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.&nbsp

Recent Updates for HQ (use “U.S. Coast Guard Digital Newsroom”)

New captain to command Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis

August 19, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

HONOLULU – Capt. Webster Balding, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, was relieved by Capt. Richard Mourey during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, Friday.

Mourey, a 1989 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, has more than 13 years of sea time aboard six cutters. He was the operations officer of Coast Guard Cutter Mariposa, executive officer of the Cutter Maui, operations officer of Cutter Chase, executive officer of Cutter Dependable, executive officer of Cutter Gallatin, and the commanding officer of Cutter Thetis.

In addition to his sea duty, Mourey served as the U.S. Military Deputy for the United States Northern Command Future Operations division. Recently, he served as the Director of Interagency Coordination for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command.

Balding will continue his Coast Guard career as the Atlantic Area chief of Preparedness Division, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area, was the presiding official for the ceremony.

For more information contact Ensign In Choi at 808-842-2875 or at [email protected].

Recent Updates for HQ (use “U.S. Coast Guard Digital Newsroom”)

CBP Announces Availability of Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Border

August 8, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced these days that the Final Programmatic Environmental Influence Statement (PEIS) and Draft Record of Choice (ROD) for Northern Border Activities is available. The Final PEIS analyzes the prospective environmental and socioeconomic effects connected with its ongoing and prospective future activities along the northern border in between the United States and Canada. (far more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

Written testimony of Policy for a Home Homeland Safety Subcommittee on Counterterrorism & Intelligence hearing titled “Beyond Borders: Are DHS’ International Agreements Making certain Actionable Intelligence to Combat Threats to the U.S. Homeland?”

July 31, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

At a field hearing in Buffalo, New York Policy Office of International Affairs Director of Canadian Affairs Deborah Meyers addresses the Department of Homeland Security’s partnership with Canada to boost safety whilst facilitating lawful trade and travel.
Division of Homeland Safety News

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Calls to Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan

July 22, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano nowadays spoke with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan to express her condolences and provide any support essential in the ongoing investigation into the shooting in Aurora, Colo. Secretary Napolitano reiterated the Administration’s support for the federal, state and nearby authorities who responded to this horrific occasion and the folks of Aurora throughout this tough time.
Division of Homeland Security News

Residency Rule Amended for Canadian NEXUS Applicants

July 13, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

Washington -The United States and Canada are continuing to deliver on essential commitments below the Beyond the Border Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Announced today and effective quickly, the Canada Border Services Agency lifted the three-year residency requirement for Canadian citizens to apply to NEXUS. (much more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

FEMA: Operating Closely With State and Nearby Partners

July 4, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

Posted by: Michael Moore, Federal Coordinating Officer, Ohio Severe Storms

FEMA continues to work closely with our federal and state partners to meet the needs of all those that have been impacted by the severe storms that moved through much of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic. In Ohio, the President signed an emergency disaster declaration that has authorized FEMA to provide much needed resources to support state and local response and recovery, including generators to support critical infrastructure such as shelters, as well as positioning water in staging areas near the impacted areas. While those resources are critical, the state of Ohio and others of the emergency management team are taking the welfare of citizens very seriously. Here is one example:

Ohio’s “Knock and Talk” Outreach

On July 1, Ohio Governor John Kasich deployed more than 200 Soldiers and Airmen of the Ohio National Guard (ONG) to Franklin and Montgomery counties on a “Knock and Talk” mission. From single-story homes to 20-story high rises, team members are braving the heat and knocking on doors to chat with residents. They provide valuable information on available resources, such as cooling centers, that our local and state partners have made available. Ohioans are also coming together to check on their own, ensuring that everyone has water and knows how to stay cool during the power outages and heat wave.

Sgt. Jessica Cooper (left) and Pvt. Jason Geier, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 216th Engineer Battalion, talk with John Weese, 60, of Columbus, Ohio, on July 2, 2012. (Ohio National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jordyn Sadowski)

On July 2, the men and women of the ONG teamed up with student volunteers from The Ohio State University and continued the “Knock and Talk” mission to ensure that senior citizens, young children and those with sensitive conditions and medical needs are being served.

As we say at FEMA, it takes each member of the emergency management team coming together to ensure the safety of the American public. The ONG and the students of OSU exemplify the responsibility that each of us has to take care of our friends, neighbors, family and loved ones.

While we continue to assist Ohio, West Virginia and all the states that have been impacted by the recent storms, we want to urge you to exercise caution if extreme heat conditions are expected in your area in the coming days. Forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for dangerous heat in parts of the U.S. for the remainder of the week, including the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit Ready.gov/heat to learn how you can keep yourself and your animals safe, or follow the example of Ohio Emergency Management and the Ohio National Guard.

Have your own “Knock and Talk” missions and check on a neighbor during this continued heat wave – make a call, send a text or better yet, walk next door to see that those around you have water, are staying cool and are able to stay in contact with loved ones.

Pvt. Jason Geier (left) and Sgt. Jessica Cooper, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 216th Engineer Battalion, talk with Gary Rowe, of Columbus, Ohio, on July 2, 2012. (Ohio National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jordyn Sadowski)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our state and local partners for providing life-saving information and demonstrating care and compassion for their neighbors and fellow Ohioans. For the latest updates, please visit the Ohio Emergency Management website at http://ema.ohio.gov/.

Student volunteers from The Ohio State University assist the Ohio state Emergency Management Agency and the Ohio National Guard on July 3, 2012

FEMA Blog

Creating a Future-prepared, Digital Government Nowadays

June 25, 2012 by NASTTPO Editor Leave a Comment

Posted by Richard A. Spires, CIO

The Federal government released The Digital Government Strategy on May 23, 2012. This 12-month action plan for the deployment of new technology is designed to enable the delivery of digital information and services anytime, anywhere, on any device, safely and securely-throughout the Federal workforce and to the American public. This strategy was made possible through the collaboration of many throughout the federal government including, the Federal Chief Information Officer’s Council, the Federal Web Managers Council, and representatives from numerous departments and agencies. My thanks go to Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Steve VanRoekel and Federal Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Todd Park for their leadership in the development of this strategy.Cloud computing and the continual evolution of mobile devices, collaboration tools, computing power advances, and social media expansion are revolutionizing Information Technology (IT). These advances are changing the way business is conducted inside and outside the Federal government. Not only is this an exciting and novel transformation, it also brings a true opportunity to deliver real innovation with less.

As CIO of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I know firsthand that the establishment of common standards and platforms and the use of new mobility capabilities are critical to leveraging data to meet the mission needs of this Department. Composed of 22 components, DHS is one of the largest Federal agencies. This size and diversity requires effective information sharing through advanced technology with sound security to support the Department’s critical mission. I will highlight two DHS initiatives underway-shared platform and mobility-that support the new digital government strategy.

DHS is committed to providing and supporting the shared platform for digital government. The BPA enables DHS to establish Web Content Management as a Service-commonly known as WCMaaS throughout the IT industry-which is an open source content management platform for hosting public Web sites and applications. Based on the Drupal Content Management System, an industry leading open source technology, this solution provides new and innovative capabilities, delivering improved citizen-centric capabilities while ensuring the adoption of solid Content Management System (CMS) services that support timely Web maintenance as well as increased capabilities for accurate content updates.

DHS also is committed to embracing mobility.
The use of laptops, smart phones, and tablets in government agencies continues to rapidly grow. Mobile computing enables the implementation of effective telework across the Federal government to ensure the continuity of operations as well as reduce management costs and the Federal government’s footprint, which ultimately leads to higher-performing and more efficient organizations.

Workplace as a Service (WPaaS) will provide a virtual desktop interface that looks and feels like a traditional desktop while leveraging the power, security, and data provided by the department’s two Enterprise Data Centers. This virtual desktop enables DHS personnel to perform their mission wherever there is access to the Internet or the DHS internal network, including through the use of handheld devices like smart phones and tablets. WPaaS delivers multiple benefits by replacing traditional desktops and laptops with virtual computing that provides as-needed operating systems and applications at monthly, pay-per-use service with scalability-all supported by a robust security model. WPaaS promises to reduce operating costs, increase operational flexibility, and simplify administrative management, while efficiently using resources by eliminating surpluses of outdated and underutilized equipment.

Future-ready, digital government.
The essential elements of interoperability and openness, reduced and transparent operational costs, strategic planning from the outset and effective portfolio and program governance ultimately enable the government to move to and effectively capitalize on new technologies in the 21st century. The Digital Government Strategy provides a solid execution plan to leverage the power of today’s technologies and provide more open, efficient, and effective services for the American public.

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on CIO.gov.

The Blog @ Homeland Security