Cybersecurity, prevention, community planning, intelligence and public information are among 10 priorities outlined by the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security for future funding, officials announced Friday.
Gov. Brian Sandoval and 16 voting members of the Commission made the recommendations, according to a news release.
Below is the release:
Nevada Commission on Homeland Security Votes on FFY13 Core Capabilities
Carson City, NV - Governor Brian Sandoval, chairman of the Commission on Homeland Security, along with 16 voting members, determined their top 10 priorities for projects to be potentially funded in the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2013 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). Each Commissioner presented their list of priorities and a summarized ranking was compiled.
The Commission adopted these top 10 priorities:
Intelligence and Information Sharing (Prevention)
Cybersecurity
Public Information and Warning
Operational Coordination
Critical Communications
Intelligence Information and Sharing (Protection)
Community Planning
Threat and Hazard Identification
Public Health and Medical Services
RESP Infrastructure Systems
The Commission also heard presentations related to school safety survey results from the Nevada Threat Analysis Center (NTAC), the Washoe County School District, and the Clark County School District outlining the current status of schools within the State of Nevada. Of particular interest to members of the Commission was in regard to vulnerabilities in the current school environment, with emphasis on training and exercise at all levels.
Governor Sandoval requested a report that denotes the types of resources that the State may use to assist the Nevada Department of Education with increased school safety measures. Nevada Division of Emergency Management Chief Chris Smith will provide a report at the next meeting.
Washoe County Sheriff and Vice-Chair of the Commission of Homeland Security, Michael Haley reported on the status of the State of Nevada Public Safety Broadband grant application to the Federal Government. As chair of the Nevada Public Safety Broadband initiative, SONNet, he indicated that the grant application process is now in peer review with hopes of that process being completed in late April 2013.
A presentation on the Nevada Citizen Corps program and the importance of the services provided within that umbrella was given by Rick Martin, Chair of the Statewide Citizen Corps Council. He emphasized the accomplishments of Nevada’s Citizen Corps and the Community Emergency Response Teams. In a report from Bertral Washington, Chief of the Clark County Fire Department and chair of the Critical Infrastructure Committee, specific information was given to support the importance of the three Silver Shield Critical Infrastructure programs in the state working together to protect key resources and infrastructures that supports the citizens of the state.
Nevada Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel David Sellen provided a capabilities overview of the 92ndWeapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST). He spoke about the ability for rapid deployment, first responder assistance, provision of both medical and technical advice, and identification of state and federal military response assets. Commission members thanked the Nevada National Guard for its dedication, training and service to ensure the safety and security of the public.