In the months and years following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, area officials built—and have continually reinforced—a network of first responders, emergency managers, and subject matter experts in health, transportation, water, and other disciplines dedicated to helping the region better prepare for and respond to natural and man-made threats. Twenty years later, this regional network is as engaged as ever and has been central to post-9/11 emergency responses like the Beltway Snipers, severe weather events, the 2011 earthquake, and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout this time, COG has helped connect these police and fire chiefs, health officials, public information officers, and more, ensuring they have the resources, programs, plans, and agreements in place to help keep our region safe. And as risks have changed, the regional committees and processes supporting this work have evolved, too.
But several priorities have remained constant since 9/11. Foremost among them has been a commitment to continual improvement of regional coordination, such as agreements to share public safety personnel and equipment across borders, enhanced communications tools, as well as regular trainings and exercises. This summary highlights a few of the ways area officials have partnered on homeland security.
Ensuring regional coordination and a seamless emergency response
Ensuring that the region is prepared for emergencies and can respond seamlessly to incidents has required a high level of partnership among public safety and emergency management agencies over the years, including strategic planning and establishing various protocols. Thanks to these largely behind-the-scenes efforts, area officials have developed a coordinated approach to information sharing, including current and emerging threats, and a unified process for emergency response.
Today, COG’s Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety provides support to numerous working groups and committees of subject matter experts as well as the NCR Homeland Security Executive Committee (HSEC). This senior-level policymaking group works on getting local, state, and federal decision-makers on the same page about the unmet security needs of and risks facing the region. It helps set direction, collects information on threats and opportunities, assesses gaps, and determines how to focus resources to best prepare the region for an emergency.
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COG Fire Chiefs 2007 press conference on homeland security coordination efforts.
Enhancing communication before and during emergencies
In addition to establishing new protocols and agreements post-9/11, area officials focused a lot of attention on acquiring the right tools to improve regional emergency preparedness and response. To help do so, the region leveraged federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds to invest in a variety of areas, including public safety radios, first responder gear, trainings, and software for emergency managers and health officials.
Enhancing the communications network has been a key priority. For example, the region stood up real-time messaging systems to provide information for both public safety officials and the public during emergency events. The Regional Incident Communication and Coordination System (RICCS), a 24/7 system owned and maintained by COG, lets about 2,000 government officials and public safety personnel communicate during emergencies. Several counties and cities in the area also offer text alert systems in order for the public to receive emergency information. In addition, first responders can now communicate across jurisdictional lines on public safety radio systems that use the same frequencies and, as of this year, people can make emergency calls throughout the Metrorail’s underground system.
Since 9/11, area officials also addressed the need for professional staff dedicated to regional traffic and emergency information. The Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) program was established to provide situational awareness of transportation operations in the region for transportation agencies and the public. The NCR Watch Desk, based in the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, shares emergency information to a user group of regional officials.
Focusing on future risks
Pandemics. Cyberthreats. Domestic terrorism. Climate change and severe weather. To prepare for these and other risks, area officials are taking advantage of the regional approach they’ve established post-9/11.
They are sharing information and best practices with their peers in COG committees. They are participating in regional training programs and tabletop exercises. They are thinking about regional solutions. For example, following the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, area officials are exploring ways to build on the interagency cooperation they’ve developed to support federal law enforcement agencies during civil unrest.
Lastly, while officials do their best to prepare for and respond to emergencies and emerging threats, everyone has a role to play. It’s why the public is regularly reminded the familiar refrains of “See Something, Say Something” and “Be Ready, Make a Plan” are still relevant today. During National Preparedness Month this September, the message is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”
To learn more about making a plan and creating an emergency kit or to help spread the word and encourage others to be prepared on this 20th anniversary of 9/11, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/september.
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For additional information, please reference the history book: A Half Century of Regional Partnership: COG Celebrates 50 Years
WTOP: How 9/11 prompted the DC region to improve its emergency preparedness