September 11, 2006 — Five years after the tragic events of Sept. 11, concerns regarding national security continue to prompt the federal government to re-evaluate its priorities with respect to homeland security — on land, as well as in the ocean and air above.

“NOAA has a well-earned reputation as a premier science and service agency whose focus ranges from the oceans to the coasts to the atmosphere. In recent years, however, NOAA's expertise and services have become increasingly important in many other areas, particularly in the realms of national and homeland security. I am proud that we have been able to increase our value to the American people,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

NOAA demonstrated its invaluable response capabilities in the aftermath of the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks when the agency immediately implemented its Incident Response Plan and was able to rapidly deploy critical assets, capabilities and expertise to support response and recovery efforts. Although NOAA responded quickly with focused support, the Sept. 11 attacks served as a catalyst for NOAA to broaden the scope and context of its preparation and response measures to threats — natural and man-made.

The NOAA Homeland Security Program Office (HSPO) was established in 2002 to serve as the principle point of contact for NOAA regarding homeland security programs across the entire agency. This office coordinates homeland security plans and programs, ensures continuity of operations, and prepares for continued delivery of services during emergencies. NOAA Corps Capt. Philip M. Kenul is the HSPO director.

The success of NOAA HSPO is due in large part to the dedicated service of the NOAA Homeland Security Senior Management Team (SMT). The team acts as an executive steering committee to the NOAA HSPO, assisting in the coordination of NOAA's homeland security-related policies and programs. It is comprised of representatives appointed by the assistant administrators of NOAA's line and staff offices. The NOAA SMT also has operational responsibilities in that it forms the core of the NOAA Incident Coordination Center, which provides secure and reliable communications and serves as the NOAA emergency operation center during incidents involving multiple NOAA offices and resources. Given their familiarity with HS-related activities and mission critical functions, many individuals on the NOAA SMT are also part of NOAA's Continuity of Operations (COOP) and have pre-defined roles in COOP activations at emergency/alternative operating sites.

Another critical element of support are the dedicated NOAA employees detailed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Operations Center (NOC) since 2004. These individuals are physically located at DHS and serve as the “NOAA Desk” to support the Secretary of Homeland Security and the President. Specifically, it provides operational communications, information and resource coordination supporting management of domestic incidents of national significance and national special security events.

The NOAA HSPO has also worked to ensure a “One NOAA” approach to incident management by developing the NOAA All Hazards Concept of Operations to define the framework for emergency planning within NOAA. This document is the NOAA-specific implementation of the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System identifying the roles and responsibilities for managing NOAA assets engaged during response to an incident.

The NOAA Incident Coordination Center: Ready and Waiting
One of the key responsibilities of the NOAA HSPO is to ensure that NOAA can respond in a quick and efficient manner to a disaster — either man-made or natural. During Hurricane Katrina and the 2005 hurricane season, these responsibilities were put to the test, as were the training and drills conducted to enhance NOAA’s readiness and capacity to address emergencies. The NOAA ICC was physically activated for more than five weeks, with many of the staff members often working 12 hour shifts. The ICC is an example of “One NOAA” at its best, as team members from various line offices came together to ensure that every NOAA employee affected by the storms was safe and accounted for and to coordinate the massive response effort following the hurricane.

The 2005 hurricane season also provided the first real test of the newly developed toll-free number (1-888-NOAA-911) linked to a contract call center and a Web site (www.homelandsecurity.noaa.gov/ Check_In.html) to account for NOAA personnel during an emergency and collect pertinent information regarding their well being.

It was also during this time when, with assistance of NOAA National Ocean Service Special Projects Office, an internal NOAA ICC GIS site was created. This secure site was developed to provide core ICC staff with key information in an easy to access geospatial format. The site brings together NOAA facilities and assets and puts them in a spatial context of weather events or other incidents.

Other NOAA hurricane-related activities that assisted in with the 2005 Hurricane Season can be found in the NOAA Magazine article entitled “NOAA’S HURRICANE ASSISTANCE SPANS MULTIPLE LEVELS – BEFORE, DURING AND EVEN AFTER THE STORM.”

NOAA Homeland Security Products and Services
NOAA has identified more than 50 capabilities that could immediately advance the nation's homeland security efforts. NOAA leverages these already existing programs, technologies and expertise in new and innovative ways to assist the DHS and has actively partnered with many other agencies (state, local and federal) to address homeland security issues. Below are highlights of some of NOAA’s homeland security contributions.

Alerts and Public Warnings
The NOAA National Weather Service broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information regarding tornados, flash floods and other potential life-threatening situations (including tsunamis) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via a nationwide network of radio stations. NOAA coordinates these warnings and advisories with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

• NOAA Weather Radio/All-Hazards Network: Working with the Federal Communication Commission's Emergency Alert System, the NOAA weather radio was expanded to serve as an "all hazards" radio network for both natural (severe storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanic activity) and environmental (chemical spills and bio-hazardous releases) events. In June 2004, the system’s capabilities were further leveraged to allow DHS to send critical all-hazards alerts and warnings directly through the NOAA Weather Radio/All-Hazards Network. To complement this new homeland security messaging capability, NOAA is working with DHS and the U.S. Department of Education to provide NOAA Weather/All-Hazard Radios to all U.S. public schools (approximately 97,000).The NOAA All-Hazards Network consists of more than 950 radio transmitters located throughout the United States and U.S. possessions/territories, thus allowing the transmission of emergency messages to more than 97 percent of the population. NOAA Weather Radio/All-Hazards receivers can also be adapted to alert those with special needs. NOAA is currently working to reduce the time it takes for emergency managers to input hazard warnings into NOAA Weather Radio/All-Hazards Network (from seven minutes to less than two minutes) so that emergency managers have direct access to the Emergency Alert System via NOAA Weather Radio/All-Hazards Network.
• Integrated Public Alert and Warning System: DHS is leading the effort to develop a government-wide plan for an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which would help save lives by better informing the general public and assisting emergency managers. NOAA information dissemination systems, including NOAA Weather/All-Hazards Radio, as well as information posted directly on the Internet and supplied to radio and television stations, will be an integral part of this larger integrated national emergency warning system.
• Tsunami Warning System: Since December 2004, NOAA has expanded every element of the U.S. tsunami warning system, from research to operations. NOAA has developed tsunami models for at risk communities, staffed its warning centers around the clock, deployed additional Deep-ocean Assessment and Report of Tsunami (DART) buoy stations, installed sea level gauges and expanded community education to help ensure a TsunamiReady America.

Forecasts and Dispersion Modeling

• Chemical and Biological Spills Models: NOAA continues to help emergency managers and first responders plan for possible (or mitigate existing) chemical or biological spills near the coast using both its Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) and General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment models to predict the movement and environmental impact of such spills.
• Atmospheric Dispersion Models: NOAA’s operational air dispersion models (the Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA – local scale), Hazardous Atmospheric Release Modeling (HARM – urban scale), and Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT – regional scale)) can also help emergency planners detect and track chemical, biological and radiological hazards in the atmosphere. In order to do so, these models are used in conjunction with the NOAA/EPA Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) a chemical database of over 6,000 hazardous chemicals. Together the models and database would allow responders to predict how hazardous compounds might disperse in the atmosphere after it is released based on the physical characteristics of the released chemical and atmospheric conditions. The program can display the location of facilities storing hazardous materials, as well as buildings of high concern (e.g., hospitals and schools). Additional future developments will fully integrate the NOAA’s air dispersion models and CAMEO database with national-level emergency information management systems, including the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC).
• Geo-Targeted Alerting System: NOAA is conducting a pilot program to integrate real-time weather models and hazardous plume predictions to provide DHS with the ability to identify specific areas to issue targeted homeland security alerts and warnings using reverse 911 technologies. Known as Geo-Targeted Alerting System (GTAS), the pilot program uses the interactive FSL X-window Collaboration (FXC) system to analyze and warn the public in the event of a chemical, biological or radiological release in the National Capital Region (NCR). FXC allows NOAA, DHS, FEMA and other agencies to display and view relevant data and information concurrently, as well as draw, annotate and communicate with each other in real-time. FXC can also interface with private sector reverse-911 providers and cellular devices (under contract to DHS) that can be used to rapidly disseminate life-threat warning to the public. In the event of a biological, chemical or radiological release in the NCR, the collaborative workstations will help officials to recognize the propagation of a toxic cloud and initiate reverse-911 official government warnings to citizens under life-threatening conditions.
• UrbNet/DCNet: The NOAA Air Resources Laboratory has initiated UrbaNet, a research program involving the private sector (i.e., WeatherBug), to explore the utility of using local meteorological data from private, as well as government, sources in forecasting for urban areas. In response to Congressional guidance, the first studies are focusing on the National Capital Region (where it is also known as DCNet) and ten additional metropolitan areas. Subsequent work will address other cities and urban areas, to be identified on the basis of homeland security threat, scientific need and data availability. By utilizing both public and private sector weather data, NOAA hopes to gain a better understanding of how hazardous trace gases and particles are dispersed in urban areas. During the 2005 Presidential Inauguration, NOAA and DHS closely monitored this information, which was then immediately available for dispersion model runs in the event of an emergency.

Integrated Ocean Observing System and Maritime Domain Awareness
NOAA has assisted the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy in implementing the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Program, to develop a national strategy to ensure interagency coordination of homeland security policy and requirements in marine areas. MDA includes everything associated with the global and coastal maritime environment that could adversely impact the security, safety, economy or environment of the United States. This knowledge is used both operationally in the planning and execution of homeland security missions, and by researchers supporting the development of new homeland security capabilities. Below are several examples:

• Integrated Ocean Observing System: NOAA is helping to develop an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). IOOS is the integration of existing and planned observing systems to meet common research and operational agency needs in several areas, including supporting both civil and homeland security objectives. IOOS will enhance national and homeland security in our coastal waters and ports by increasing MDA and through improved observations and predictions of the ocean environments in which homeland security operations take place.
• Automated Identification System: The NOAA National Weather Service and U.S. Coast Guard are developing marine two-way communications systems on NOAA data buoys to relay automated identification systems (AIS) via satellite links to the USCG for vessel tracking. AIS is a shipboard system that broadcasts vessel data such as name, course, speed and call sign to other AIS vessels and stations for collision avoidance at sea. AIS
  previously was only carried by VHF signal and therefore had a limited range however with the installation of satellite relays on NOAA data buoys will expand the USCG capability to monitor and track vessels approaching U.S. territorial waters well beyond the
  line of site limit for VHF.
• Underwater Domain Awareness/Hydrographic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV): The NOAA Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is working under an agreement with the U. S. Department of Defense’s Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office to develop and demonstrate rapid response survey capabilities to ensure U.S. ports, harbors and inland waterways are clear of any underwater explosive devices. In 2005, the NOAA OCS completed the first phase of the demonstration project with the development of a 29-foot hydrographic survey launch equipped with high-resolution multibeam and side scan sonars. The NOAA OCS is currently developing unmanned survey capabilities, including an autonomous underwater vehicle and remotely operated vehicle, to work in conjunction with the survey launch. The goals of using unmanned vehicles are to provide standoff capability for the safety of the manned assets, and to increase survey efficiency and coverage. The OCS AUV Team recently successfully deployed an AUV as part of the 2006 Safe Seas exercise in San Francisco Bay, Calif.
• Vessel Monitoring System: The NOAA Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) uses GPS, satellite communications and a secure network to monitor fishing vessel compliance. However, this evolving capability may soon also be used for marine enforcement and homeland security needs because it can be used to track suspicious vessels at sea and supports two-way message communications between vessels. Pending legislative approval and full development, an expanded VMS could provide extensive observational coverage for the entire nation’s exclusive economic zone and would be able to relay near real-time data to the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue, enforcement and homeland security purposes.

Remote Sensing

• LIDAR and Aerial Photography: NOAA’s Remote Sensing Division continues to use LIght Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) elevation data and high quality aerial photography to collect data in support of homeland security surveys. Specifically, these technologies can be used to protect critical infrastructure, aid in disaster response and recovery efforts, verify dispersion modeling and provide support for special security events.
• Remotely Operated Aircraft: NOAA is currently evaluating the use of remotely operated aircraft (ROA) to conduct future NOAA research, mapping/charting and enforcement activities. The ROA NOAA is using is similar to the high-altitude, long-endurance ROAs that successfully supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. NOAA recently demonstrated the potential for using these ROAs for homeland security incidents when it successfully sent streaming video (via satellite) from a ROA operating off the coast of California to the National Security Operations Center in Washington, D.C. While only an initial demonstration, there is potential that these platforms could provide for both incident and situational management in the near future.

Space Based Assets
The NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) provides real and near-real time satellite imagery to the nation through geostationary and polar-orbiting environmental satellites. The satellites carry instruments that collect and relay atmospheric, oceanic, land-based environmental and weather data to NOAA facilities that perform operational forecasting scientific analyses and archival. However, they can also be used for security purposes (such as severe weather forecasting, on-scene weather support for incidents and wildfire smoke and volcanic ash detection/tracking). In addition, the NOAA NESDIS archives environmental data from all types of platforms. Information on the local environmental statistics (average rainfall, prevailing wind directions, coastal salinity and local bathymetry) can help planners build or rebuild facilities to withstand certain types of events, relief workers to identify safe areas to establish shelters, city and county planners simulate the impacts that different types of events might have on their communities and related activities.

• NOAA’s Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) program: NOAA’s orbital assets also support international search and rescue efforts. The satellites carry transponders for search and rescue beacon signals from downed air and marine craft, and from personal locator beacons.
• Satellite Licenses and Enforcement Compliance: NOAA licenses and enforces compliance with federal regulations for operating a commercial or private Earth observing satellite. Enforcement of the regulations applying to shutter control or restriction of data distribution is essential to ensure national security. NOAA enforces stated limitations of the Kyl-Bingaman Act prohibiting U.S. commercial satellite companies from collecting and releasing imagery of specified areas.

Emergency Response

• Surveying and Charting: The Navigation Response Teams (NRT) conduct hazardous obstruction surveys along the coasts to update NOAA nautical charts. The NOAA National Ocean Service’s survey and charting capabilities can also assist with Homeland Security issues. After Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005, NOAA deployed the NRTs for emergency surveying to quickly reopen Gulf Coast ports, demonstrating the economic, safety and MDA benefits of rapidly resurveying ports and harbors.
• NOAA’s Hazmat Scientific Support Coordinators: The NOAA National Ocean Service’s Hazmat Scientific Support Coordinators (SSC) work in U.S. Coast Guard offices, planning for emergencies and developing port-specific incident response plans. These plans highlight specific problems, such as those faced by chemical facilities, in port areas. NOAA also develops computer programs used for both incident-specific planning and routine training. This preparedness training is vital because, when an event occurs, first responders need to have a range of tools they are familiar with and can apply. NOAA SSCs are then able to go on-site during emergencies to bring all of NOAA’s support resources to the table.
• Side Scan And Multi-Beam Survey Images For Search: The NOAA National Ocean Service’s hydrographic survey vessels are occasionally called upon by the U.S. Coast Guard to acquire detailed side scan and multi-beam survey images for search and recovery, as was the case following TWA 800 and the EgyptAir crashes and in 2004 the Bow Mariner, an ethanol tanker that exploded and sank off the Virginia Capes. This capability allows ports to be re-opened quickly and helps the U.S. Coast Guard to design temporary lanes and detours based on depth data.
• NOAA Corps: Operating under the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, the modern NOAA Corps is comprised of 299 research scientists who are aircraft and marine fleet pilots, divers and engineers. The NOAA Corps has been a “first responder” to several marine and air disasters in U.S. coastal regions while operating in the vicinity of the disaster. It participated in rescue and recovery operations after both the downing of TWA Flight 800 and the disappearance of the plane piloted by John F. Kennedy, Jr.
• NOAA Fleet: The NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations operates a diverse fleet of research and hydrographic coastal and ocean-going vessels ranging in length from 90 to 274 feet, as well as helicopters and airplanes.

Interagency Cooperation
Another important component of NOAA’s homeland security effort involves forming collaborative partnerships with other state, local and federal entities addressing homeland security issues. In addition to the DHS National Operations Center, Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center, Marine Domain Awareness and Task Force on Effective Warning, there are a number of other interagency cooperative efforts NOAA is involved with:

• NOAA Fisheries’ Office for Law Enforcement: NOAA OLE agents continue to support investigative, security, as well as search and recovery efforts in collaboration with other federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Department of Justice Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
• Domestic Readiness Group: The Domestic Readiness Group (DRG) is a White House led structure facilitating a comprehensive, integrated and coordinated approach to domestic incident management. DRG members provide decision-making support to the White House and the Secretary of Homeland Security and other national authorities during periods of elevated alert and national-level domestic incidents.
• Citizen Corps: Citizen Corps was launched by DHS “as a community based initiative to engage all citizens in homeland security and community safety and family preparedness through public education and outreach, training opportunities and volunteer programs.” In July 2003, a Statement of Affiliation between DHS and NOAA. in order to establish a collaborative partnership raising public awareness about weather and environmental hazards, as well as promoting actions for public safety.

Parting Words
NOAA contributions to homeland security cannot be overstated. NOAA has and will continue to support the nation with its wide range of services and products from hazardous material spill response capabilities; atmospheric and waterborne dispersion forecasting; vessel monitoring systems; and support for communities and emergency responders. NOAA is also ready to provide NOAA ships, aircraft, global observing systems, and professional law enforcement officers to serve the nation when the need arises.

Relevant Web Sites
Testimony of the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D, United States Navy (Ret.), on NOAA's homeland security mission before the Senate Commerce Disaster Prediction and Prevention Subcommittee (Chair Jim DeMint, R-SC), June 8, 2005.

NOAA’S HOMELAND SECURITY CAPABILITIES CONTINUE TO
STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND

NOAA's ROLE IN THE NATION's RECOVERY EFFORTS AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM

NOAA CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOMELAND SECURITY SINCE SEPT. 11, 2001

PRESIDENT’S BUDGET FOR NOAA MAXIMIZES RESOURCES TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE ECONOMY

NOAA Air Resources Laboratory's Contribution to Homeland Security

NODC: Helping with National Security

NOAA's Role in Homeland Security

NOAA REMOTE SENSING EXPERTISE AIDS WORLD TRADE CENTER RECOVERY EFFORTS

NOAA CONDUCTS MORE FLIGHTS OVER WORLD TRADE CENTER SITE

Media Contact:
Dave Miller, NOAA, (202) 482-0013