On Monday, November 25, 2002, President Bush signed the enabling legislation for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One aim of this legislation to avoid breakdowns in communication between the FBI, CIA and other federal agencies that have been exposed during past attacks.

Of interest to Emergency Managers is the fate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s programs with it’s integrating into HDS.  The current plan shows FEMA as one of the key components of HDS, in its Emergency Preparedness and Response Division.  HDS would continue FEMA’s efforts to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect our nation's institutions from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, all-hazards emergency management program of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. In addition, it will continue to change the emergency management culture from one that reacts to terrorism and other disasters, to one that proactively helps communities and citizens avoid becoming victims. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect4.html#4-2)

The President will submit a reorganization plan within the next 60 days. No sooner than 90 days from receipt of that plan, agencies can be transferred. The administration has a year to consolidate the two dozen federal agencies.

However, it is expected to take several years to fully integrate the various agencies and their different ways.

The President said he would nominate White House adviser Tom Ridge to head the new agency and Navy Secretary Gordon England to serve as Ridge's deputy.  The Cabinet-level agency will consolidate all or parts of 22 federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service and Border Patrol.  This is the biggest government overhaul in half a century.