Homeland Security Advisory Council
 
About HSAC

Homeland Security Advisory Council Initiatives


Initiatives

HSAC is working on the following initiatives:

Business Response Network
Mass Medical Dispensing – Strategic National Stockpile
Business Operations Center
New Technology

  • Business Response Network. HSAC has created the Business Response Network (BRN), a web database of pre-registered business resources (essential supplies, trucks, equipment, etc.) that can be activated to support emergency management agencies and non-profits during a major event. The database has been developed in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Area Maritime Security Committee at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It is currently being expanded and further developed to have statewide capability. During the October 2007 California wildfires, HSAC activated the BRN and served as the private sector liaison for the State's Office of Emergency Services (OES) in the Regional and State Operations Centers, helping facilitate private sector resource support and provide emergency related information to business sectors. For more information about the BRN, please visit www.businessresponsenetwork.org.

  • Mass Medical Dispensing – Strategic National Stockpile. A smallpox or pandemic flu outbreak that would require vaccinating Los Angeles and Orange counties in a few days would require tens of thousands of volunteers. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health does not have the staff or facilities to handle a scale of serious magnitude and could very well be overrun with the sick and the so-called "worried well." The public health system needs the private sector to prepare for such an event to avoid mass casualties. As a result, HSAC is working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to help organize the private sector to assist with the dispensing of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS, formerly known as the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile) during a major medical emergency. This will increase the County's capacity to dispense medications to the public in case of major medical emergencies. HSAC has recruited over 25 major businesses to help Public Health develop the framework for public/private interaction and mutual support. HSAC will be working throughout early 2008 to further develop and implement the model, which includes the design of a Business Operations Center for effective emergency communications.

  • Business Operations Center. During a major emergency, the private sector is often dependent upon government responders and agencies for information and coordination of response. Unfortunately, as evidenced in recent major emergencies, especially the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there are often significant gaps in communication and coordination between government and the private sector. These gaps in communication make it difficult for the private sector and for government to react and respond to emergencies in the most effective manner. Improved communication and coordination is essential to an effective prevention and response strategy. HSAC has developed and is working to further develop a system to link key southern California businesses and business sectors to the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center and the State Emergency Operations center, which will improve information sharing and communication during a major event. HSAC currently has a seat in the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center and has served as the private sector liaison to the State during an emergency. The presence within the existing governmental structure is the platform for the communications system. HSAC will also work with the Orange County Sheriff's Department to implement a similar program in Orange County. Creating a link between business and government during a crisis is a key element of a coordinated and sophisticated response and recovery, one which enhances capabilities and resources through public-private interaction.

  • New Technology. HSAC created a subcommittee to create links between law enforcement and the private sector and to help law enforcement keep abreast of the latest advances in technology to help solve security challenges. In an environment where technology is changing on a daily basis, the Technology Subcommittee will be available as a resource to emergency management agencies to help in any way possible.

Past Initiatives

  • Public Service Announcements. Working with the southern California radio community, HSAC developed and distributed over 3,000 public service announcements regarding emergency prevention, preparedness, and response during September 2006. Over 30 radio stations in the region agreed to participate and aired spots created by HSAC in partnership with Westwood One. HSAC Member and Project Chair Norm Pattiz, who is the Founder and Chairman of Westwood One, took the lead and did the bulk of the work. HSAC is currently working to expand and improve upon this effort.