Engaging Our Private Sector Partners at DHS for a Day VIII

Earlier this month, the Private Sector Office (PSO) coordinated DHS for a Day VIII, which brought together representatives from the business, academic, and non-profit communities to visit three DHS emergency operations centers.

The event was part of our efforts to increase public-private collaboration before, during, and after emergencies.  As part of the day, the group toured the National Operations Center (NOC), the Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC), National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), and the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC). These operations centers work together to coordinate resources and response during emergencies, and provide key analysis and decision making support to DHS leadership.

In addition to learning about DHS’ operational  response activities, the DHS for a Day participants were also briefed about the Situational Awareness Viewer for Emergency Response and Recovery (SAVER2), a mapping program that allows emergency management partners to quickly gather information  about critical infrastructure locations and demographic characteristics in an impacted area.  Participants also learned about FEMA’s Private Sector Representative in the NRCC, which allows private organizations to send representatives to the NRCC to provide input toward solving problems in emergency response.

Engaging the private sector and our many partners across the homeland security enterprise helps build a safer, more secure, and more resilient homeland.