SUMMER 2021

THE CENTER FOR HOMELAND DEFENSE AND SECURITY MAGAZINE CHDS NEWS | ALUMNI STORIES | CLASS NOTES | PHOTO ALBUM DIRECTOR’S LETTER

“We believe collaboration across agencies is the key to success and will enable us to prepare for future threats at the local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal levels.” — GLEN WOODBURY

Dear Alumni and Friends, In this issue of Watermark, we mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a seminal moment in U.S. history, and the birth of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, which emerged just months later in response to the attack on our nation. In our 9/11 commemoration article, we talk to CHDS founders and other key figures about the attack and the aftermath, including the ways homeland security has changed over the years and the influence CHDS has had on that change over the past two decades. Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 pandemic loosens its grip on the U.S. and much of the world, we look at the ways CHDS dealt with the restrictions of the global outbreak, including a shift to virtual instruction for educational programs from Emergence to Radiological Emergency Preparedness to Pacific Executive Leaders. After more than a year of limited access to the Center, except for a sweeping renovation of our Monterey, CA headquarters, we’re looking forward to reemerging with new technology, new classrooms, and more as we get set to welcome back our instructors and students for in-residence sessions. We pay tribute to retired Executive Education Programs director Ellen Gordon, a giant influence on the Center’s culture and approach who played a central role in the creation and evolution of CHDS’ educational framework since the institution’s beginning. And, we feature new Executive Leaders Program director Sara Kay, whose diversity of experience from the federal and state level to private industry helped make her the choice to replace Gordon as that program’s lead. In addition, we talk to Executive Leaders Program graduate Curtis Brown about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in emergency management and homeland security, especially in the wake of a year that saw nationwide protests in reaction to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. We look back at the past half-year worth of Alumni Hour events, highlighted by former U.S. Capitol Police chief Steven Sund’s courageous recounting of the Jan. 6 Capitol Building riot that shook the nation. By all appearances, the global pandemic is receding but Dr. Rick Bright, a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 advisory team, argued during an Executive Education Program webinar that the main lesson of the pandemic is not to allow the experience to recede into history, and to stay prepared and be ready for the inevitable next global health or other challenges. Be prepared. Essential advice for nearly all homeland security and emergency management challenges. Remember, as always, the Center’s faculty, instructors, and staff stand with all of you as we all continue to pursue excellence in homeland security and emergency management, and remember our friends and colleagues who were lost on September 11, 2001.

Truly yours,

Glen Woodbury Director, Center for Homeland Defense and Security CONTENTS THIS ISSUE OF WATERMARK Volume 12 • Issue 2 • Summer 2021

02 Regional Alumni Chapters 04 Q&A with Alumni Chapter Heads Happy Summer 06 Ellen Gordon Retires After 15 Years 08 "What's For Dinner?" and Other Impossible Decisions 10 Kay Takes Over CHDS Executive Leaders Program CHDS 11 CHDS Alumni Secure Groundbreaking Appointments 12 Steve Sund on Capitol Riot 14 CHDS Alums Lead FEMA/Peace Corps COVID-19 Vaccination Pact 16 I ntegrated Response Teams for All-Hazard Events 18 Major Golf Tourney Prompts CHDS Emergence Change Initiative 19 DHS Program Taps RPA For CHDS Emergence Change Initiative 20 CHDS Alumni Contribute to National Advisory Council Report 21 ELP Alumnus Returns to Discuss National Security Threats

Sand City Beach in Sand City, California 22 ELP Grad Makes Diversity in Emergency Management His Mission 24 Alumni Lead Using Unmanned Systems Watermark the Alumni Magazine is published semi-annually for the for 21st Century Challenges alumni of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent 26 Remembering 9/11 the official policy or position of the Naval Postgraduate School, the 32 Something Special Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, FEMA, 34 CHDS Alumni Win Homeland Security Award CHDS, CHDS alumni or faculty, or the U.S. Government. 36 Classroom of the Future 37 Mis/Disinformation Highlights 2021 Watermark is produced by the staff of the Copyright © 2021 by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security EEP Lecture and Webinar Series All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, Center for Homeland Defense and Security distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including 38 REP Deals with COVID-19, Looks to Future with support from CHDS alumni, faculty, and staff. photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, 39 PELP Looks Ahead to First In-Person Session Writers: Jim Johnson, Patrick Kuhl, Marc Pritchard without the prior written permission from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. After COVID-19 Designer: Will McCarty 40 APEX 2020 Goes Virtual Strategic Communications Team: ON THE COVER Pictured from L to R: Colonel Michael Kolb, Ph.D.; NPS Military Associate Dean, 43 Pracademic Affairs Delivers Inaugural Issue Russell Stearns, Cristian Ramirez Army Major Jake Tillis; Monterey County Regional Fire Captain, 44 Read and Listen For Comments and Story Ideas: Scott Fenton; Marina Police Department Commander, Heather Issvoran Donna White; Salinas Mayor, Kimbley Craig; Salinas Police 45 Class Notes Director, Strategic Communications Department Commander John Murray; CHDS Director, 49 Alumni Photo Album Glen Woodbury at the NPS 9/11 Memorial in Monterey, CA. [email protected], 831.402.4672 (c) Photo by Javier Chagoya/NPS-PAO 52 Welcome to the CHDS Family! Technical Support/Webmaster/Login: 53 Educational Resources [email protected], 831.272.2437 (PST) All photos are submitted unless otherwise stated.

ESTABLISHED IN 2002

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 1 REGIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTERS CHDS education programs promote collaboration, communication, and information sharing among leaders both during and after their CHDS programs. In order to keep in touch and create a national network of homeland security professionals, 30 regional chapters have been established by alumni throughout North America and United States territories.

ALUMNI NETWORK

CAN

WA 25 ME 1 MT ND VT MN 28 26 NH OR WI NY27 MA ID SD CT MI RI WY 17 29 PA 12 IA NJ 18 NE OH MD 2 DE NV IL IN 30 9 13 19 WV DC UT CO VA KS KY CA MO 5 20 14 10 NC 3 4 TN OK 22 8 AR 21 SC AZ NM GA 15 AL 11 MS 23 6 TX 16 LA

FL 7 HI 24

GU

NEW | WE WELCOME FOUR NEW CHAPTERS TO THE CHDS ALUMNI NETWORK.

ILLINOIS NEBRASKA NEVADA OKLAHOMA CHICAGO OMAHA LAS VEGAS TULSA Hey you. ? INTERESTED IN STARTING A NEW CHAPTER? SEND AN E-MAIL TO HEATHER ISSVORAN AT [email protected]

Yes you! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF CHDS ALUMNI CHAPTERS. DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE CONTACT CHAPTER COORDINATORS LISTED ON THE RIGHT. YOUR INFORMATION IN THE CHDS DIRECTORY www.chds.us/a/chdsdirectory

2 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 REGIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTERS

1 OREGON 9 COLORADO 17 ILLINOIS | NEW 24 FLORIDA PORTLAND DENVER CHICAGO SOUTHERN Chris Voss Ryan Fields-Spack Beth Windisch Romeo Lavarias [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Deanna Kralick 2 CALIFORNIA 10 NEW MEXICO 18 OHIO [email protected] NORTHERN ALBUQUERQUE DAYTON Katelin Wright Darren Price Eric Saylors 25 CANADA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ONTARIO Jeff Payne John Dehooge 3 CALIFORNIA 11 TEXAS [email protected] [email protected] LOS ANGELES EL PASO Bruce Robertson Calvin Shanks Frank Forman [email protected] 26 NEW YORK [email protected] [email protected] WESTERN Patrick O’Flynn 19 KENTUCKY 4 CALIFORNIA 12 NEBRASKA | NEW LOUISVILLE [email protected] INLAND EMPIRE OMAHA Vanessa Burns Kristin Brockshus David Green [email protected] 27 NEW YORK [email protected] [email protected] NEW YORK CITY Richard Blatus Jason Lappin 20 TENNESSEE KANSAS AND [email protected] 13 NASHVILLE [email protected] MISSOURI Patrick Sheehan Erica Hupka 5 NEW [email protected] 28 MASSACHUSETTS NEVADA | [email protected] LAS VEGAS NEW ENGLAND Phil McGovern Terri March 21 ALABAMA [email protected] 14 OKLAHOMA | NEW HUNTSVILLE [email protected] TULSA Jonathan Gaddy Greta Hurt 6 [email protected] 29 PENNSYLVANIA HAWAII [email protected] HONOLULU PHILADELPHIA Walt Smith Lydia Mertyris 22 GEORGIA [email protected] 15 TEXAS ATLANTA [email protected] DALLAS Kelly Nadeau Robert Giorgio 7 GUAM Will Bierman [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] WESTERN PACIFIC Scott Minarcine Frank Ishizaki Gary Cummings [email protected] 30 WASHINGTON, D.C. [email protected] [email protected] NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION Tricee Limtiaco 23 FLORIDA Samantha Korta [email protected] 16 TEXAS NORTHERN [email protected] AUSTIN Ronald Lendvay Heather Issvoran Angi English 8 ARIZONA [email protected] [email protected] PHOENIX [email protected] Thomas Guglielmo Sylvia Moir [email protected] [email protected]

DID YOU KNOW?

CHDS ALUMNI BASE CHDS ALUMNI CAN BE HAS 69 PROFESSORS WHO FOUND IN OVER 850 CITIES TEACH 246 COURSES WORLDWIDE. OUR ALUMNI SPAN AT 78 OVER 1700 AGENCIES, TOP 6 CITIES ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATIONAL WASHINGTON, D.C. - 347 LOS ANGELES, CA - 54 AND DIVISIONS. INSTITUTIONS. NEW YORK, NY - 143 ARLINGTON, VA - 49 HONOLULU, HI - 120 BOSTON, MA - 47

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 3 REGIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTERS A WITH OUR ALUMNI Q CHAPTER HEADS

4 CALIFORNIA, INLAND EMPIRE DAVID GREEN, Assistant Chief of Police | San Bernardino Police Department | MA1405/1406 David began his career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1992 and subsequently joined the San Bernardino Police Department in 1995. He has held command roles in all divisions of the department and formerly served as the Emergency Manager for the city at large. David is a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Leadership and Command Program and FBI National Academy. He holds a Certificate in Emergency Management from Auburn University, an M.A. in Management from Redlands University, and an M.A. in Security Studies from the United States Naval Post Graduate School.

How many years have you been in emergency exponential increase in violent crime, but an management/homeland security? environment where released inmates now living Law enforcement for 29 years. homeless have taken over the majority of public Emergency management responsibilities spaces. The lost sense of safety among business for the last 10 years. owners and residents is not only changing public behavior, but now burdens local government more In your opinion, what is the top homeland than any prior known homeland security threat. security issue in your region right now? The biggest issue facing my region is the collapse of What is your favorite place to dine on the California’s criminal justice system. The impacts of Monterey Peninsula? de-criminalization have not only manifested in an Wine Down Wednesday at Hula’s, Monterey, CA.

5 NEVADA, LAS VEGAS TERRI MARCH, Court Administrator | North Las Vegas Justice Court | MA1605/1606 Terri March is the Court Administrator for the After joining the courts, Terri furthered her education North Las Vegas Justice Court in Clark County, by completing the National Center for State Courts’ NV, a position she has held since 2004. Terri is a Court Management Program in 2006, and became graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management With a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in 2009 after completion of the Court Executive of Business Administration, she spent 17 years in Development Program. Her thesis, “Planning for the the hotel/casino industry in Las Vegas. Terri held Future,” received the Vice President’s Award of Merit various positions during that time, including Auditor, for Applied Research. She graduated from the CHDS Casino Analyst, Manager of Financial Planning and Masters’ program in March 2018. Research completed Analysis, and Director of Database Marketing. Upon for the program’s required thesis was later used to leaving the hotel/casino industry, Terri began her conduct a distance learning webinar for the Nevada public sector employment as a Budget Analyst with Supreme Court titled, “Weapons of Mass Distraction: Clark County, Nevada, and obtained a Master’s of Strategies for Countering the Paper Terrorism of Public Administration during that time. Her assigned Sovereign Citizens.” Her thesis research is being departments as a budget analyst included the courts, updated for a future presentation to a national prosecutors, and public defenders, which spurred an audience with the American Judges’ Association. interest in the judicial system.

How many years have you been in emergency The top homeland security issue in our region is management/homeland security? the prevalence of right-wing extremists. Present position for almost 17 years. What is your favorite place to dine on the In your opinion, what is the top homeland Monterey Peninsula? security issue in your region right now? Mission Ranch brunch, Carmel, CA. 4 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 REGIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTERS

16 TEXAS, AUSTIN ANGI ENGLISH, Former Chief of Staff | New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ELP1201, MA1303/1304, HSx 1701 Angi began her career as a professional counselor decision-making. She is also a Part 107 drone for children and adolescents in Central Texas and pilot advocating for the use of unmanned aerial moved into state government working on behalf of systems in emergency management and homeland people with disabilities as the Executive Director security. Retired in July of 2020 as the former for the Texas Governor’s Committee on People Chief of Staff for the New Mexico Department of with Disabilities where she did strategic foresight Homeland Security and Emergency Management, planning, policy and legislative work, advocating for Angi enjoys writing and providing consultation equal access to employment and other services in services and mentoring others. She is an Adjunct Texas, including access to emergency management Professor at Idaho State University and an advisory resources and services. After Hurricane Katrina, she member for DRONERESPONDERS, Inc. When began work with a FEMA Task Force working on Angi isn’t consulting, teaching, mentoring or more inclusive practices, which led to entering the volunteering, she can be found assisting her wife, a Executive Leaders Program at NPS and subsequently veterinarian at Austin Wildlife Rescue, and enjoying getting a master's degree at CHDS. Her homeland the great outdoors traveling in her Airstream, “The security and emergency management interests Mothership,” photographing landscapes with her still include public health, social psychology, design cameras and drones, riding her e-bike named “Sally thinking, unmanned aerial systems and strategic Ride,” creating art, and fishing.

How many years have you been in emergency management/ social tribalism, including misinformation and disinformation, homeland security? which are tearing at our country’s social fabric, making us more and 19 years. more polarized as a nation. Another significant challenge is targeted domestic violence, including domestic terrorism as a byproduct of changing political and social culture. In your opinion, what is the top homeland security issue in your region right now? What is your favorite place to dine on the The regional issues facing Texas are the same issues that many other Monterey Peninsula? states and the country are tackling. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a significant threat with the downstream related Fandango in Pacific Grove is a family-owned restaurant loved challenges of vaccine hesitancy and politicization of public health by locals and visitors for their award-winning food and measures, including lack of trust in government and the mutative atmosphere, and I love it too! properties of the virus. Related are the challenges of political and

14 OKLAHOMA, TULSA GRETA HURT, District/Battalion Chief | Tulsa Fire Department | MA1701/1702 Greetings from Tulsa, OK! My name is Greta Hurt Currently, I reside on a small acreage farm a few miles (CHDS cohort 1701/1702) and I am a District/ southwest of Tulsa with my wife of 25 years, two dogs, Battalion level Chief for the Tulsa Fire Department. and two cats. I have served as a Firefighter /EMT for I have lived in beautiful “Green Country” Oklahoma a little over 23 years in the city of Tulsa, which is the my entire life, and as a youngster, roamed the hills second largest city in Oklahoma, and has a population and meadows of Osage County on the farm where I of around 400,000. Over the years, I have had the grew up. I attended college and played basketball at unique opportunity to experience many different areas Pittsburg State University in Kansas, while earning of the fire service. I am currently assigned as Chief my degree in Biology/Education. After that, I spent a of Health and Safety, but have been very fortunate to few years as a public-school teacher and basketball / spend time both in the field and in other areas such as track coach, before deciding that my true calling was fire training, fire investigation, public education, code to become a firefighter. enforcement, and fire administration.

How many years have you been in emergency What is your favorite place to dine on the management/homeland security? Monterey Peninsula? 23 years. I have two – Hula’s Island Grill, Monterey (happy hour appetizers, drinks, and dinner), In your opinion, what is the top homeland and Tommy’s Wok, Carmel (great lunch specials). security issue in your region right now? Ransomware and cyberattacks.

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 5 ELLEN GORDON RETIRES AFTER 15 YEARS AT HELM OF EXECUTIVE LEADERS PROGRAM BY JIM JOHNSON

fter more than 15 years guiding Preparedness Program and served as a co- ELLEN GORDON the Center for Homeland Defense DIRECTOR instructor for Emergence and the Master’s and Security’s Executive Leaders Executive Leaders Program Degree Intro course. AProgram (ELP) from inception to execution MA0301 Assistant Associate Director of CHDS to expansion, Ellen Gordon has retired. Education Programs Sarah Bentley said she “Ellen so much deserves her time away was privileged to work with Gordon for the after the extraordinary contributions past 15 years in support of the Executive she’s made to the profession, our Center, Leaders Program, and lauded Gordon as and the nation,” CHDS Director Glen an “advocate for lifelong learning” who was Woodbury said. “She has left her mark on constantly developing program content in a Gordon said she’s leaving CHDS because it numerous national policies, the long-lasting way that would “elicit critical thinking and is “time to move forward into the next chapter achievements of her profession, and most expand existing perspectives on issues.” of my life” while she still enjoys good health, importantly, the hundreds of students she’s “She would frequently ask a speaker the ‘So and is already turning down consultant job positively impacted.” what?’ question to ensure that everyone in the offers to focus on golf, hiking and kayaking Gordon, who joined CHDS in 2004 class found relevance in a topic or discussion,” and maybe just doing nothing. “I like to think as an associate director of Executive Bentley said. “Ellen's empathic ability to read that I am still in good shape and I want to Education Programs after previously a room helped nurture opportunities for enjoy the rest of my life,” she said. graduating from the Center’s pilot Master’s participants to learn from other disciplines. I Degree program in 2004, retired on April “Ellen’s influence on the fields wish her well as she retires; even though I'm 1 as the only program director the ELP has losing her as a colleague, I've gained a mentor known since its beginning. of emergency management and and friend in the process.“ Gordon called working at CHDS the homeland security has been immense. CHDS Executive Education Program “highlight of my career,” which spanned director Dawn Wilson said Gordon’s vast more than four decades in homeland So much of the success and progress experience was an invaluable asset to the security and emergency management, and of the past three decades can be institution. said the chance to help build and grow one traced right back to her.” "Throughout her career, Ellen brought of the institution’s educational programs field-tested practitioner experience, critical was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” — GLEN WOODBURY thinking, and no-nonsense decision-making CHDS DIRECTOR “We started with a blank sheet of paper,” to every conversation she had,” Wilson said. she said. “Seeing CHDS grow over the “Whether leading a discussion in the CHDS Senior consultant David O’Keeffe said years has been a real pleasure. It’s grown classroom, advising elected leaders during Gordon’s expertise and presence developed so much greater than I would have ever a disaster response, or serving on national over decades in emergency management expected. I didn’t necessarily see it as a commissions and advisory groups, Ellen has made her the “obvious choice” to create and career, but more as an opportunity to offered invaluable advice to the leaders of lead the fledgling CHDS Executive Leaders contribute and to pay it forward. We were this country." Program. Gordon influenced everything creating a world-class organization, and Gordon’s lengthy career in homeland about the ELP, including not only the “session I believe it is a world-class organization, security and emergency management topics but also the culture,” O’Keeffe said, and striving for excellence in all we did included 18 years as Iowa Homeland from “content to the learning environment.” throughout the years was of the utmost Security and Emergency Management “Ellen is very well-respected,” O’Keeffe importance.” Administrator overseeing the interagency said. “She has a sense of the homeland Gordon said she was attracted to response and recovery efforts for 19 security landscape. Ellen brought an CHDS because it was not a “typical presidential-declared disasters and more executive presence and an executive hierarchical government organization,” and than 100 declared states of emergency. perspective to the classroom.” encouraged working together as a team with She was also involved in national policy O’Keeffe noted Gordon’s “wisdom and communication and collaboration. development committees and commissions, mentorship” over the years as a “facilitator and She said she treasures the “lifelong” serving as president of the National a role model, especially for female leaders.” friendships she made over the years at Emergency Management Association Gordon’s influence at CHDS was CHDS with everyone from colleagues, (NEMA) and chair of the NEMA Homeland widespread. During her time at the Center, guest speakers, and experts to the Security Committee, as well as a member she not only led the ELP, she also served as participants and students. of the federal Department of Homeland the lead for the Radiological Emergency

6 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Ellen Gordon provided invaluable expertise at the local, state, Ellen Gordon facilitates discussion amongst leaders in the ELP classroom. and federal levels. "A nationally recognized leader in Ellen Gordon pictured here with past recipients of the Lacy E. Suiter homeland security and emergency Distinguished Service Award: CHDS Director Glen Woodbury and CHDS management, Ellen Gordon overcame Co-Founder & SME Stan McKinney, and ELP alumnus Brad Richy. several obstacles when entering the “Gordon’s expertise and presence male-dominated discipline. Her ability developed over decades in emergency to thrive in the face of adversity helped management made her the 'obvious advance the profession and forge a choice' to create and lead the fledgling path for women in the workforce. The CHDS Executive Leaders Program.” Executive Leaders Program wouldn't be — DAVID O’KEEFFE what it is today without Ellen Gordon." SENIOR CONSULTANT — SARAH BENTLEY ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Security Advisory Council, the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Ellen and Sarah Bently playing one of Ellen's favorite pasttimes, golf! Advisory Council, the National Homeland Security Consortium, and the Gilmore “Ellen was truly a unique talent in Commission, a congressional advisory panel. the classroom. She took no prisoners Woodbury adds that “Ellen’s leadership and – but she made students think more expertise were instrumental in guiding national policy towards wise and achievable outcomes.” deeply and analytically than even they Gordon received the Curtis H. “Butch” thought possible!” Straub Award for exemplary achievement and Ellen celebrates on the quarter-deck with the ELP graduates. — STANLEY SUPINSKI leadership upon graduating from the CHDS CHDS ADVISOR Master’s Degree program, and the Lacy E. "Throughout her career, Ellen brought Suiter Distinguished Service Award from field-tested practitioner experience, critical NEMA for her outstanding contributions to emergency management, as well as the thinking, and no-nonsense decision- U.S. Army Commander’s Award for Public making to every conversation she had. Service and U.S. Army Civilian Award for Whether leading a discussion in the CHDS Humanitarian Service, among other awards. She is an inductee into the International classroom, advising elected leaders during Women in Homeland Security and a disaster response, or serving on national Emergency Management Hall of Fame. commissions and advisory groups, Ellen Gordon graduated from Truman State University, Kirksville, MO with a Bachelor has offered invaluable advice to the leaders of Science degree in Law Enforcement and of this country." Corrections (criminal justice) and holds a — DAWN WILSON Master of Arts degree in Security Studies EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR (Homeland Security and Defense) from Ellen Gordon with CHDS Director Glen Woodbury and CHDS-NPS. n EEP Director Dawn Wilson at UAPP 2019. WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 7 “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE DECISIONS Decision Fatigue in the Time of COVID By Cynthia Holmes

What do you want for dinner? I don’t know. I’m so tired, I don’t feel like cooking.

Let’s just get take-out. What do you want? Burger? Chinese? Burritos? Fried chicken? Pizza?

Anything. So long as I don’t have to decide.

t’s a year into the COVID-19 response, CYNTHIA HOLMES consequences when the decision-making and if your ability to make even the impairment effects work, especially when Training and Exercise Manager most basic decisions has suffered, you workers are first responders or emergency for the New Mexico Department Iare not alone. Even those who are normally management, healthcare, or homeland of Homeland Security and known to be people of action and decision- security professionals. Emergency Management makers can end up spending 30 minutes Decision fatigue doesn’t just make MA1801/1802 trying to decide what to watch on Netflix choices hard. Decision fatigue can make it before getting frustrated and watching an more difficult to make good decisions. This episode of an old, familiar sitcom or giving helps explain why we order pizza after we up entirely and just going to bed. shopped for healthy foods at the grocery issued, and faced further challenges trying Physical exhaustion is easy to understand. store after work. We’re tired. We’re hungry. to juggle job tasks while perhaps also Our bodies feel tired after overdoing it. The We can’t decide what to cook, so our brains serving as full-time caregivers for children fix is almost as easy to understand; eat a good take a shortcut. We make a snap decision who were trying to participate in school meal, get to bed early, and sleep well. We to stop the overwhelmed feeling, and we remotely. While most people employed in wake up refreshed, albeit maybe a little sore order pizza. first responder, emergency management, from the day before. As we grow up, we’ve learned our healthcare, or homeland security fields had decision thresholds. We build safety secure jobs, friends and family were often Emotional Exhaustion valves into our lives to help avoid feeling challenged with economic uncertainty, as But emotional exhaustion is different. Its so overwhelmed we meltdown. But the nearly 10 million people lost jobs in 2020, cause isn’t as easy to pinpoint as a strenuous last year has taxed many of us in ways we according to the Wall Street Journal. People gym workout. Emotional exhaustion results weren’t prepared for. We need new safety working in those frontline, essential jobs from an accumulation of stress coming from valves to reduce decision fatigue. And, as faced the additional challenge of increased challenges, often with negative impacts, that supervisors, managers, and leaders in our worry and inconsistent public health rules, leave you feeling worn out, according to an fields, we need methods to help our staff and with regulations that often vary from city article by the Mayo Clinic. co-workers avoid meltdowns. to city, county to county, and state to state. And certainly, 2020 was a year of challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic Strategies to Reduce Decision Fatigue Emotional Exhaustion challenged people to find a balance Even before listing 10 tips to help reduce and Decision Fatigue between health risks and isolation. emotional exhaustion and decision fatigue Emotional exhaustion makes decisions Political unrest and uncertainty challenged in yourself or employees, it is important to difficult. Small decisions like what to watch Americans’ belief in their political system recognize we are all dealing with unknowns on TV or what to have for supper don’t and sense of justice. People experienced and this can increase anxiety, stress, and have lasting impacts. But decision fatigue a loss of boundaries between home and fear. To help those feelings: from emotional exhaustion can have bigger work as work-from-home mandates were

8 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Give More Guidance – Recognize that employees may need more 1 guidance than in the past. Don’t assume staff can (or will) make intuitive leaps of logic. Employees may benefit from a more structured approach to project management.

Be Clear – Present information in easy-to-understand formats. Follow 2 up verbal communications with written information for workers to review when they have more time or mental power. ALUMNI Provide More Structure – Staff may benefit from routine more when 3 they are struggling to make decisions. Weekly check-ins at a set time may help staff feel like there is some certainty they can count on. Other HOUR staff may appreciate more frequent, brief, 10-minute tag-up meetings to help get guidance on key decisions. Limiting timelines and giving clear STAY CONNECTED, boundaries for tasks can also help employees struggling with decisions. STAY INFORMED Explain Decisions – Inform employees about the decision-making 4 processes to reduce uncertainty and help show connections between their work and the larger response. Discussions of other decisions may also provide guidance to staff on good decision-making processes. The Alumni Hour Understand Some Choices Might Seem ‘Hidden’ – Higher levels of 5 stress or anxiety can lead to "tunnel vision", causing employees not to is an hour-long virtual "see" all their options. Team meetings with a goal of brainstorming can interactive discussion that help move groups past roadblocks and reveal "hidden" options. provides a trusted place to Develop a Backup Plan – Decision fatigue can strike when a plan hits discuss current challenges 6 a snag. Emotional exhaustion can then make finding a solution more and smart practices for difficult. Discussing options, having a Plan B, or a list of alternatives in place before a roadblock is encountered can help staff move past the CHDS faculty, staff, hang-up and make the next decision. students, and alumni.

Understand Delays – Decision Fatigue and emotional exhaustion can 7 manifest in lower productivity and increased absenteeism. If possible, Third Thursday of build in extra time on projects, or have backup staff available to help every month with hosts pitch in if needed. David O’Keeffe and Help Develop a Sense of Agency – Decision fatigue can worsen if Heather Issvoran. 8 there is a sense that the choice doesn’t matter. Help your employees see that their choice matters, that it has consequences. Share the stories of recipients of help, share positive feedback from stakeholders or fellow employees. And as leadership, show gratitude for jobs well done.

Promote Wellness – Remind employees of Employee Assistance 9 Plan benefits (if your agency has them). Look for resources in your community or reach out to your HR for ideas.

Promote Taking Time Off – Encourage taking time off to refresh and Nov. 19th, 2020 CHDS Alumni Hour with, CHDS alum Deanne Criswell, (MA1003/1004 and ELP0801) who has 10 rejuvenate. Taking time to handle home-life concerns allows employees since been appointed FEMA Administrator, and CHDS to reduce potential sources of stress. Remember to lead by example and master’s program faculty member, Rodrigo Nieto-Gomez. take time for yourself, too. n READ MORE ON PAGE 12 For more on this topic: • www.interagencystandingcommittee.org and check out i “Guidance: Operational Considerations for Multisectoral Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programmes during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 9 CHDS Faculty Spotlight KAY TAKES OVER CHDS EXECUTIVE LEADERS PROGRAM BY JIM JOHNSON

ew Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program director Sara Kay has Nworked at virtually every level of homeland security and emergency management. Kay, a CHDS Master’s program graduate who takes over the ELP from the retired Ellen Gordon, has worked for state, military, federal, and intelligence agencies, as well as the private sector. CHDS senior consultant David O’Keeffe said Kay’s professional experience is a “unique” asset for the ELP because it is executives from those areas who are the ones CHDS wants to bring to the program. O’Keeffe added that Kay also brings a fresh perspective and approach to the Introducing the new ELP team, Sara Kay, Director, Executive Leaders Program MA0603/0604; Sarah Bentley, Assistant Associate Director, program as well as energy, curiosity, and a Educational Programs; Elaina Vasquez, Operations Coordinator and Susan Reinertson MA0401/0402, ELP1502. sense of humor. security faces today, as well as the challenges and security leadership roles since 2000, “Sara’s very in tune with what today’s on the horizon. That will always be my including 15 years in state and federal executive is looking for and needs to learn,” north star and the north star of ELP.” government. She started her career in the O’Keeffe said. Kay stressed the importance of what field as a U.S. Air Force Security Forces Kay said she’s “thrilled to be leading she called an “incredible support team,” officer, including five years of wartime ELP” and said she and program staff are including Sarah Bentley and Elaina Vasquez, service in Iraq and Kuwait. focused on getting students and guest who she called the “reason for the continued After transitioning to civilian service, speakers “back in residence” at CHDS at the success of the program” through the she worked for five years as the California Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA challenges presented by Covid-19 and the Judicial Branch’s Emergency Response and as pandemic restrictions ease. leadership transition from Gordon to herself Security Manager responsible for physical and “As we shift back to having students in over the past year. personnel security, as well as the continuity of Monterey, I’m looking forward to continuing She said Bentley and Vasquez “pivoted the state’s court system government. to build upon the rock-solid foundation with lightning speed to master the vagaries Starting in 2010, Kay served as a CHDS Ellen provided as she led this program over of delivering education remotely, and Distinguished Alumni Fellow for the the last 15 years,” she said. “Ellen was always they did it all while providing excellent Federal Emergency Management Agency’s focused on the ‘so what’ of the content we continuity as Ellen retired and I came on National Preparedness Directorate. are delivering, as in, ‘So what does this mean board to lead the program.” Two years later, she started a three-year for the homeland security enterprise?’ Or, “They are truly the bedrocks of the stint as an operational intelligence officer in ‘So what does this mean for that emergency Executive Leaders Program and I am so the CIA’s National Clandestine Service. manager, public health administrator, or grateful to work with them every day,” After that, Kay spent four years leading police or fire chief on the front-lines of the Kay said. Airbnb’s safety and security operations, challenges our nation faces today?’ At the same time, Kay said the pandemic building and leading a global team focused on “As we bring new content onboard also offered opportunities that will impact physical and personal security for employees, and keep our curriculum constantly fresh the program and curriculum going forward. executives, and offices in 19 countries. and responsive to emerging threats and “The last year-plus of remote delivery of Before joining CHDS, Kay worked as opportunities, I will always keep the ‘so classes has allowed us to, relatively quickly, executive director of threat management for what’ in the forefront of my brain as well. add a lot of new content to the curriculum Kaiser Permanente. The education we provide to our students and educate our leaders in ways we had not Kay graduated from the University of must be relevant and help them effectively considered before,” she said. “It’s been an California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts lead through the incredibly complex overwhelmingly positive experience.” degree in Psychology, and earned a Master of problems the discipline of homeland Kay has served in homeland defense Arts in Security Studies from CHDS-NPS. n

10 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 CHDS ALUMNI SECURE GROUNDBREAKING APPOINTMENTS AT FEMA, CONGRESS BY JIM JOHNSON

wo Center for Homeland Defense DEANNE CRISWELL Walker is a 39-year military career and Security alumni have made FEMA Administrator veteran, serving most recently as the history with their appointments to MA1003/1004 District of Columbia National Guard’s Ttop federal positions. ELP0801 Commanding General. Deanne Criswell (Master’s cohort He also worked as a special agent for 1003/1004, ELP cohort 0801) has been the Drug Enforcement Administration appointed Federal Emergency Management for decades, simultaneous to his National Agency Administrator, the first time a WILLIAM J. WALKER Guard service. woman has taken over the top spot at the U.S. House Sergeant-at-Arms In a release issued in March, Speaker ELP1002 agency, while Maj. Gen. William J. Walker Pelosi lauded Walker’s “historic” (ELP cohort 1002) has been named the appointment as an “important step forward” U.S. House Sergeant-at-Arms, the first for Congress and the nation. Black person to assume the House’s top law “Throughout his long, dedicated career enforcement position. in public service, General William Walker Emergency Management, as a member Criswell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate has proven to be a leader of great integrity of the Colorado Air National Guard and in a unanimous voice vote on April 22 and and experience who will bring his steady numerous disaster assignments with FEMA, sworn in by Department of Homeland Security and patriotic leadership to this vital role,” according to an agency release. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on April 26. Pelosi said. “His historic appointment as the She also worked as a local firefighter She becomes the 12th FEMA first Black American to serve as Sergeant-at- and managed the Aurora, CO, office of Administrator since the agency’s formation Arms is an important step forward for this emergency management. in 1979 and will be charged with leading the institution and our nation.” agency’s mission of “reducing the loss of life “As an emergency manager, I have Pelosi also noted Walker’s career in the DEA and property, protecting the nation from always focused on keeping families and said his experience would be an “important all hazards, and leading the nation through asset” in keeping the Capitol protected. a comprehensive emergency management and communities safe. There is nothing “We are especially proud of his long- system of preparedness, protection, more rewarding than being able to time career as a Special Agent with the response, recovery, and mitigation,” help the people of this country.” U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to a FEMA release. where he served in roles from Special Criswell takes over the agency as it — DEANNE CRISWELL Agent to Deputy Administrator SES-4. His is tasked with coordinating COVID-19 According to a FEMA release, Criswell experience will be an important asset to vaccination administration, handling said during her confirmation, “I believe the the House, particularly in light of the Jan. 6 humanitarian efforts at the southern border, best way to balance the competing demands insurrection. It is essential that we work and preparing for future disasters, as well as is to make risk reduction investments to to strengthen our institution and keep our challenges associated with climate change. build more resilient communities and Capitol community, and all who visit, safe.” In a statement, Sec. Mayorkas praised infrastructure, including against the threat Walker was in charge of D.C. National Criswell’s career as “one of commitment and of climate change. As an emergency manager, Guard during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, and service to our nation.” I have always focused on keeping families according to Roll Call requested permission “That commitment now rises to the and communities safe. There is nothing along with Capitol Police and Metropolitan next level of leading the dedicated people more rewarding than being able to help the Police Department officials to send National of FEMA as they continue working to meet people of this country.” Guard forces to defend the Capitol. unprecedented challenges,” he said. “I have Criswell’s CHDS Master’s thesis was But Roll Call reported the request was full confidence in her ability to lead FEMA entitled “Homeland Security: developing delayed and approval wasn’t provided until 5 with compassion, fairness, integrity and state-level doctrine to guide strategy p.m., hours after the request was made. respect as she works to fulfill the agency’s development,” and was completed in 2012. Walker told a March 3 joint hearing of ever-important mission: helping people Walker was sworn in as the 38th U.S. Congress that about 150 National Guard before, during, and after disasters.” House Sergeant-at-Arms on April 26, and troops, including a 40-person Quick Criswell has more than 25 years of announced the arrival of Pres. Joe Biden to Reaction Force, left waiting a short distance leadership experience in emergency House Speaker Nancy Pelosi two days later away, “could have made the difference” by management, including serving as when the President gave his first joint address helping to extend the perimeter and push the Commissioner for New York City to Congress. back the crowd, according to Roll Call. n WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 11 Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump mob storms U.S. Capitol building | Photo by Archna Nautiyal, Shutterstock. STEVEN SUND ON CAPITOL RIOT CHDS ALUM AND FORMER U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF DISCUSSES JAN. 6 RIOTS DURING MAY ALUMNI HOUR By Jim Johnson

.S. Capitol Police were anticipating support the perimeter on Jan. 3. But the STEVEN SUND a large protest in the days before coordinated attack by what Sund said was Former Chief, the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, but not about 300-400 instigators who were seen U U.S. Capitol Police a coordinated “insurrection,” and planning using radio communications, hand signals, MA0905/0906 and response efforts were hampered by and the like was not expected. oversight bureaucracy and politics. Sund said even the timing of the Capitol That’s according to former U.S. Capitol riot, at 12:53 p.m., appeared to be planned Police Chief Steven Sund, a Center for to coincide with President Trump’s address Homeland Defense and Security alumnus to a crowd of his supporters at the White (Master’s Program 2011 graduate) who offered House, expecting that Capitol Police may be though it was already short by 200 officers. rare insight into the Capitol riot during the at less than full staffing on the perimeter. Sund said he requested an emergency monthly CHDS Alumni Hour on May 20. Alumni Hour moderator and CHDS declaration three days before the Jan. 6 riot Sund said Capitol Police were expecting instructor David Brannan pointed out and reached out to D.C. National Guard a large crowd for Jan. 6, the day Congress that there is now a “new normal” with Gen. William Walker for support while was set to certify the election of President- regard to protests that made it virtually exchanging incident command information elect Joe Biden, noting what he called inevitable they would devolve into with a range of agencies. previous “MAGA 1 and MAGA 2” protests violence, not because protesters got out of Sund said his relationships and in November and December. He said there hand but because of malign riot organizers partnerships formed through the CHDS was already a need for heightened security infiltrating legitimate protesters and network were invaluable both before and with Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker directing coordinated attacks. after the Jan. 6 riot. of the House Nancy Pelosi, and a full U.S. Sund said that was among a lot of the “This (CHDS) program has been a Senate and House of Representatives on takeaways from the Jan. 6 riot, including the godsend for Capitol Police, and I certainly hand for the election certification. need to stay up-to-date on after-action reports. appreciate everything,” Sund said. One of the largest police forces in the Other challenges Capitol Police faced, Meanwhile. Sund said he knew in nation with 1,900 officers and 340 civilian according to Sund, was the oversight advance there would be a need for a wide personnel was geared up for the anticipated bureaucracy that made it difficult to get perimeter around the Capitol building protests under Sund’s guidance even timely resources, the political resistance and had requested the National Guard to

12 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 graduate), said what stood out with regard to Sund’s Alumni Hour discussion was “it was authentic.” “What’s missing (from the national conversation) is the ability to speak and to share candidly,” Higgins said. “‘Monterey Rules’ is a powerful concept. It’s what binds NPS graduates together.” CHDS strategic communications director Heather Issvoran called Sund a “true leader” for his willingness to discuss the details of the Capitol riot. “In a world so divided, this is what we were meant to do,” Issvoran said. Sund said his goal is “to make sure this never happens again.” Over the past several months, the monthly Moderator and CHDS instructor David Brannan (upper left), former U.S. Capitol Police chief Steven Sund (below center) and CHDS strategic communications director Heather Issvoran (upper right) during the May Alumni Hour. CHDS Alumni Hour series has included the following topics and alumni guests: requested additional support including from April 15, “A Discussion the National Guard, seeking authorization of Cyber and Infrastructure from the Congressional Sgts at Arms, which Security,” with DHS Cybersecurity and also went to the Pentagon, and there were Infrastructure Security Agency Deputy significant delays in both cases. Director Nitin Natarajan. When the National Guard finally arrived, March 18, “Identifying Behaviors Sund said Capitol Police already had the and Providing Prevention Frameworks, situation under control. Preventing Targeted Extremist Violence,” Asked how he would suggest dealing with panelists Stephanie Yanta, FBI with the potential for radical ideology in Supervisory Special Agent and Behavioral law enforcement, especially since right- Analysis Profiler; Michael Brown, Associate wing groups like the Oath Keepers, Proud Director for Field Operations-West, Boys, and Three-Percenters had played Office for Targeted Violence & Terrorism high-profile roles in the Capitol riot, Prevention at DHS (now known as the Sund suggested police forces might need Center for Prevention Programs and to implement an internal threat analysis Partnerships); and Beth Windisch, Regional program similar to the TSA. Prevention Coordinator, Office for Targeted However, Sund also warned about the Violence and Terrorism Prevention at DHS Congressional oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police incudes emerging politicization of police, including (now known as the Center for Prevention multiple committees. the Defund Police and Police Reform Programs and Partnerships). movements, arguing that local officials Jan. 28, “'The Common Good,' What to using more effective riot gear, and could face similar restrictions to what he is it? Does it still exist? Does it need to be reluctance to use the National Guard. faced on Jan. 6, placing them and their restored?” A classroom-style discussion Sund said in addition to a Capitol Police officers in a no-win situation. with CHDS instructors Dr. Chris Bellavita Board, department leadership also had Asked if he had been treated fairly, Sund and John Rollins. to run a gauntlet of four Congressional said he understood the events of that day Dec. 17, “What should be the oversight committees to get additional staff and how they can impact the head of an Homeland Security priorities for the and other resources. agency. He added that he was just sorry next administration?” With guests And, he said the 2020 summer protests for what his Capitol Police officers had to CHDS Director Glen Woodbury, and Alicia following the death of George Floyd endure during the Jan. 6 riot. Tate-Nadeau, Acting Director for Illinois at the hands of a Minneapolis police Brannan reminded Alumni Hour Emergency Management Agency. officer had spawned complaints about attendees that “Monterey Rules” applied Nov. 19, “How have the challenges of law enforcement response and the use to the event which allowed for an open 2020 provided us opportunities to innovate of the National Guard to assist local law and frank discussion of the riots, and he in our organizations?” With CHDS enforcement during the more violent praised Sund for being willing to express instructor Dr. Rodrigo Nieto-Gomez, and protests in big cities, which he said had left his thoughts. CHDS alum Deanne Criswell, New York a “bad taste” among top officials including University of New Haven (CT) adjunct City Emergency Management Department at the Department of Defense. faculty member Ronnell Higgins, a Commissioner at the time and now DHS- When the Capitol rioters were "attacking CHDS alumnus (Master’s Program 2017 FEMA Administrator. n us and the building," Sund said, he WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 13 CHDS ALUMS LEAD FEMA, PEACE CORPS COVID-19 VACCINATION PACT BY JIM JOHNSON

wo Center for Homeland Defense JOHN RABIN at the state and local level,” Dietch said. and Security alumni are at the FEMA Assistant Administrator “There is always a need to coordinate center of an historic agreement ELP1402 limited resources and build on expertise and Tbetween the Federal Emergency experiences of other partners. I appreciate Management Agency and the Peace Corps that FEMA very early on recognized that aimed at accelerating administration of the Peace Corps Response volunteers could COVID-19 vaccine. contribute to the vaccination distribution in FEMA assistant administrator, field SARAH DIETCH the United States. operations, John Rabin (ELP 1402) and Peace Corps Response Director “My training at CHDS helped me Peace Corps Response director Sarah ELP1402 think creatively about partnerships, to Dietch (ELP 1402) signed a Memorandum work with agencies that can fill gaps in of Understanding between the two your organization, not just stick with your organizations in March that allows Peace traditional partners. This is particularly Corps volunteers to work in FEMA- important as we face a challenge as great as supported Community Vaccination Centers adjustments and FEMA officials reached the global pandemic. I am so happy to be starting in mid-May. out to the Peace Corps to see what could lending all of my training and experience to This will be just the second time in be done with volunteers returning from this amazing effort.” the Peace Corps’ 60-year history that its their international service stints, and that Rabin said the CHDS program offered volunteers will work in the U.S., following continued when the community vaccination a unique opportunity to develop a network its efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina mission emerged. and a “shared understanding of our and Rita in 2005. Noting that FEMA has a number of missions for the greater good.” Typically, the Peace Corps and Peace Corps alumni, Rabin said they were According to Rabin, FEMA will bring its volunteers are only authorized for “very familiar” with the program and that Peace Corps volunteers to the federal international service. But they can deploy allowed for the organizations to find a agency’s Personnel Mobilization Center volunteers domestically at the request of workable solution. in Dallas, TX on May 17 where they will FEMA pursuant to the Stafford Act when the be sworn in, trained, and sent off to their organization receives a mission statement after “My training at CHDS helped me think vaccination centers. the President declares a state of emergency. FEMA is providing support to “Given the national scale of this creatively about partnerships, to work COVID-19 efforts across the U.S. through (COVID-19) public health emergency, with agencies that can fill gaps in personnel, supplies, and funding to help additional human resources are needed your organization, not just stick with establish or expand more than 500 state-led for a limited period of time to distribute community vaccination centers and more the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as your traditional partners.” than 70 mobile vaccination centers. possible, especially among underserved — SARAH DIETCH The agency has provided more than populations,” a Peace Corps representative $4.47 billion for COVID-19 vaccination said. “So far, 65% of people receiving their As the agreement was nearing efforts at 100% federal cost-share, vaccine at a Community Vaccination completion, Rabin said he and Dietch both covering supplies, staffing, training, and Center are from high-need, underserved realized they knew each other, and he said transportation. groups. This is an evolving and dynamic Dietch realized it was through the CHDS Peace Corps volunteers are slated to situation where the needs change day-to- Executive Leaders Program. perform general duties at the centers, day. Returned Peace Corps volunteers have Dietch said the two had first met during including checking in patients, scheduling valuable prior experience in entering new the ELP program in 2014-15 but had not second dose appointments, directing environments and quickly adapting to a stayed in touch and the signing of the traffic, providing language support, and variety of situations. Their experience using agreement was the first time they had seen the like. language and cross-cultural skills will also each other since graduating from the ELP. Those eligible to serve in the special be a benefit in the (vaccination centers) “One of the most significant benefits domestic deployment include returned given the diverse populations expected to of the Center for Homeland Defense and volunteers evacuated from their overseas seek service at these locations.” Security Executive Leaders Program was posts in March last year due to the Rabin said discussions about a potential learning from others working in the national COVID-19 pandemic. partnership began nearly a year ago when security field whether it was other federal Peace Corps temporarily suspended the pandemic first required program partners such as FEMA or first responders its global operations last year, evacuating 14 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Summit Education

Peace Corps Response director Sarah Dietch and FEMA assistant administrator John Rabin sign Covid-19 vaccination agreement. Program Partnership and Agency University nearly 7,000 volunteers from 61 countries all the hard work has been done.” due to the pandemic. The Executive Leaders Program provides Dietch said the Peace Corps is now busy a unique educational opportunity for preparing for its volunteers to return to senior-level homeland security and public overseas service, and the FEMA assignment safety leaders from federal, state, local, gives the organization “hands-on experience territorial, and tribal agencies, and the as it looks to develop overseas COVID-19 private sector, at the forefront of the nation’s programming.” homeland security mission. ELP offers a The collaboration is being implemented non-degree, graduate-level program meeting through Dietch’s the immediate and Peace Corps Response “I think (the MOU) has set FEMA long-term needs of program, which up to use (the Peace Corps) in the leaders responsible sends volunteers with for homeland security specialized experience future. If the need fits with the and public safety by to short-term service (Peace Corps) program, all the bringing together a assignments for up to variety of disciplines a year. hard work has been done.” and jurisdictions into When the Peace — JOHN RABIN one room. SAVE THE DATE! Corps sent more than The Center for November 1-3, 2021 270 volunteers to respond to Hurricane Homeland Defense and Security located morning sessions Katrina in 2005, it was Peace Corps Response at the Naval Postgraduate School in delivered virtually predecessor Crisis Corps that managed the Monterey, CA is the nation’s homeland deployment to assist FEMA’s relief operation. security educator. n afternoon sessions Rabin said the collaboration between in-person at FEMA and the Peace Corps could be monterey conference center MORE ELP replicated in other ways in the future. monterey, ca “I think it has set FEMA up to use (the FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERS more info at Peace Corps) in the future,” he said. “If the PROGRAM VISIT CHDS.US/ELP www.chds.us/uapp need fits with the (Peace Corps) program, WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 15 Emergence Alumnus Making a Difference INTEGRATED RESPONSE TEAMS FOR ALL-HAZARD EVENTS BY MARC PRITCHARD

esponding to chemical, biological, RAUL GOMEZ He noted, “COVID-19 put the brakes radiological, and nuclear events Emergency Management on our training as the focus had to shift to R(CBRNE) require significant Specialist, Cone Health addressing the pandemic. However, it also planning, training, resources, and EMERGENCE 2021 highlighted the importance of emergency organizational commitment. Preparing for management and the level of coordination such threats is often secondary priority for required to effectively respond to these health care systems. However, for Center of large-scale events.” As he approached the Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) first Emergence virtual in-residence session Emergence cohort 2021 alum Raul Gomez, in September 2020, Gomez was curious to serving as an Emergency Management see how the Zoom-based delivery would with specific multimedia for our locations… Specialist for the Cone Health system in work as well as being somewhat nervous instructional videos showing steps in the Greensboro, NC, the programmatic gaps about joining a cohort with potentially more decontamination process, and the layouts within their Hospital Emergency Response experience in his field. He stated, “I know of our campuses so people taking the Teams (HERT) represented an opportunity I am the first within any healthcare system course can actually see their location and for change. Joining Cone Health in October in North Carolina to attend this program… others in case they move onto a different 2018, Gomez wasted little time recognizing the talent in the cohort is impressive and campus.” Concomitantly, in discussions and developing a strategy for improving somewhat intimidating. However, everyone with Executive Leaders Program (ELP) the standardization for the HERTs within was so open with the challenges they were alum Henry Comas (ELP 2016) of the the acute care hospitals forming the Cone facing personally and organizationally that U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Health system. Starting with his own any walls preventing sharing or honest Development, Gomez learned of CHDS and, attendance in the Emergency Medical communication quickly disappeared.” specifically, the Emergence program. Operations for CBRNE Incidents course Gomez continued, “I was amazed at how at the Federal Emergency Management well the cohort bonded even in the virtual Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic “Responding to any type of hazard environment, it was truly a testament to Preparedness (CDP), Gomez focused on requires training and resources, the approach by faculty and SMEs…they education and training as the foundation for but also a commitment to building facilitate the discussions between cohort addressing the challenges. members rather than simply lecturing from “I realized after attending the course at strong working relationships across behind their web cameras.” CDP that there were still missing pieces for the entire team.” Following the first session, Gomez began scaling a HERT program to fit our needs, outlining Phase II with a renewed sense — RAUL GOMEZ facilities, and personnel at Cone Health,” of confidence. “I think the perspectives I Gomez commented. He continued, “I gained from my cohort mates and a better Having built a strong relationship with focused on assessing our capabilities at two sense of how to critically analyze the Comas during his emergency management hospitals; in some instances, simply having successes and failures of Phase I clarified internships while pursuing a Master of outdoor access to water and electricity my approach to Phase II,” he remarked. For Public Administration in Health Policy and for decontamination stations proved to Gomez, the differing viewpoints within his Management from New York University be a challenge.” As Gomez completed Emergence cohort based upon their varied Wagner School of Public Service. Following his initial assessment, it was clear that a experiences opened his eyes to developing a his graduation, Gomez viewed Emergence phased approach would provide the best more holistic and inclusive approach to his as an opportunity to learn from not only the opportunity for success. He said, “Phase I training. He commented, “I really looked to subject matter experts (SMEs) and lecturers started with the formation of a framework create teams at each location with an on-site within the program, but also the diverse encompassing elements of the management, leader empowered to tailor the training… individuals from various disciplines and communication, and recruitment process. driving the team from within…based jurisdictions within his cohort. Following his Facilitating the identification and training upon each hospital's individual strengths acceptance into Emergence and as he neared of HERT members in two hospitals and, and capabilities while ensuring a baseline the end of Phase I of the HERT program with after evaluating the outcomes and lessons level of knowledge, skills, and abilities.” over 50 members trained at two hospitals, little learned, we would move into Phase II with The complexity of Phase II and the overall did he know that the COVID-19 pandemic the other acute care locations.” Continuing, expansion of his HERT training program would significantly alter both efforts. Gomez said, “I modified the CDP course was daunting. However, as explained by

16 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Refer a friend or colleague!

PROGRAM DEADLINES WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS MASTERS PROGRAM (MA) Team picture of the Wesley Long Hospital Emergency Response Team members following a full-scale exercise. APPLICATION DEADLINE DECEMBER 1, 2021 in the second session — Dee Neely, former Assistant to the Special Agent-in-Charge, EMERGENCE PROGRAM U.S. Secret Service (Retired) — who APPLICATION DEADLINE DECEMBER 1, 2021 discussed the importance of personal empowerment. “She framed the problem EXECUTIVE LEADERS PROGRAM (ELP) from the perspective of ‘owning your APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 15, 2021 space and building trust by how you treat FOR ADMITTANCE INTO THE FALL COHORT and interact with others.’” Collectively, APPLICATION DEADLINE JAN 15, 2022 the lessons learned from Emergence were FOR ADMITTANCE INTO THE SPRING COHORT directly applicable as Gomez turned his attention to the challenges ahead. Reflecting on his overall Emergence PACIFIC EXECUTIVE LEADERS experience, Gomez thought back to his PROGRAM (PELP) first days in the program and his time as an APPLICATION DEADLINE JAN 15, 2022 offensive lineman playing college football FOR 2022 COHORTS at San Diego State University, “My first year I really thought ‘I don't belong here,’ but FOR MORE INFORMATION once I had an opportunity to compete and VISIT US ONLINE AT CHDS.US actually play in a game, I realized I belong.” Continuing he said, “Emergence felt the SEND US THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROGRAMS ABOVE | [email protected] Raul Gomez teaching a foundational course consisting of emergency same in the first days and now I can take department nursing staff. that confidence back to my organization.” Moving forward, he plans to continue to Gomez, “Emergence gave me the confidence challenge himself commenting, “I know my to implement my program across the Cone value and the approach I want to take and Health system.” the high expectations I placed on myself Gomez quantifies the value of the during Emergence.” n Emergence program primarily through relationship building and knowledge sharing. “Emergence highlighted the MORE EMERGENCE value of relationships and the power in FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EMERGENCE PROGRAM building those relationships as a tool for VISIT CHDS.US/EMERGENCE information sharing and collaboration,” he stated. Additionally, Gomez commented on the perspectives delivered by an SME WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 17 Emergence Alumnus Making a Difference MAJOR GOLF TOURNEY PROMPTS CHDS EMERGENCE CHANGE INITIATIVE BY JIM JOHNSON reparing for this summer’s Solheim According to Hoffman, his Emergence JAKE HOFFMAN Cup professional women’s golf change initiative JHAT proposal was Private - Toledo Ptournament, Center for Homeland Fire/Rescue Department “well-received” by Toledo Fire and Rescue Defense and Security Emergence Program EMERGENCE 2001 command staff, suggesting that was at least graduate Jake Hoffman saw a gap in the way in part due to a potential overtime savings the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department of more than 75% compared to current staffs special events. practices along with its other benefits. With the biennial golf tourney between He said the JHAT concept has been teams from the U.S. and Europe from Aug. “embraced” by both the Toledo Fire and 31 to Sept. 6 expected to draw as many Toledo Police departments and will be in While Hoffman pointed out that a as 150,000 spectators to the Inverness operation during the 2021 Solheim Cup and medium-sized Midwestern city with Tier Club in Toledo, OH, the Toledo Fire and other special events. 2 Urban Area Security Initiative status Rescue private realized a “standardized and Hoffman said his Emergence Program like Toledo is not commonly regarded as a scalable” approach to staffing special events experience was “truly second-to-none typical terrorist target, he also noted that was needed. and should be required training for all in recent years homegrown and domestic While Hoffman noted Toledo Fire and new leaders across the homeland security violent extremists haven’t exclusively Rescue has “robust medical capabilities” enterprise.” targeted major metropolitan areas such as for special events including medics on “The interdisciplinary approach allows New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. bikes, EMS physicians, and mass casualty cohort members to escape their professional equipment, it had few options for Chemical, silo by interacting with and learning from Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and “I thoroughly enjoyed how the members of both the private and public Explosive (CBRNE) threats. program material was structured sectors with whom they may not typically Hoffman pointed out that if CBRNE while allowing individual growth work,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed resources were needed at a special event how the program material was structured they would be provided by either on-duty through the change initiative while allowing individual growth through personnel on long-term standby or those project and other activities.” the change initiative project and other recalled on overtime, which he said has a activities. While the program discusses detrimental effect on normal emergency — JAKE HOFFMAN novel approaches to emerging threats, it also services provided to citizens and the safety teaches a macro view of homeland security And, he said, smaller cities with their and operational capability of the crews that genuinely allows each cohort member “less robust” public safety resources may remaining in service to answer 911 calls. to expand their knowledge and refine their prove to be more attractive terrorist targets, If staffed with recall personnel, Toledo specific area of expertise.” especially since the “instantaneous nature” Fire and Rescue incurs a “large cost” that is Hoffman’s Emergence cohort included 30 of mass communications means attacks rarely if ever reimbursed and such staffing participants who graduated in April 2021. don’t have to be in a large metropolis to be models tie up a majority of the department’s Emergence change initiatives are part of known around the globe. HAZMAT resources that may be needed a typical six-month session that includes an Hoffman quoted James Gehring’s 2014 elsewhere in the city or the region. innovation lab for participants to research Naval Postgraduate School thesis titled In response, Hoffman proposed the and develop an idea for change within their “Sports Venue Security: Public Policy creation of a Joint Hazard Assessment Team organization, which can include anything Options for SEAR 4-5 Events,” which posits (JHAT), a less visible response force with the from a new policy approach, new program, that “21st-century globalization enhances ability to conduct preliminary analysis of or procedure to a new system or use of the effectiveness and value of terrorism suspicious items or chemicals with minimal technology aimed at enhancing homeland strikes at smaller… less noticeable venues.” disruption to a special event. security or emergency and security Hoffman noted most JHATs are limited management. n to only CBRNE threats but with what he called the “prevalence of mass attacks in MORE EMERGENCE public spaces” he proposed that the teams also be equipped to immediately respond as FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EMERGENCE PROGRAM a Rescue Task Force if needed. VISIT CHDS.US/EMERGENCE 18 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Emergence Alumna Making a Difference DHS PROGRAM TAPS RPA FOR CHDS EMERGENCE CHANGE INITIATIVE BY JIM JOHNSON

acing the challenge of evaluating 3,800 KRISTIN VALLEJOS So she shifted to the use of RPA in the Department of Homeland Security Senior Personnel Security One DHS Credential initiative instead. Fbackground investigators using manual Specialist - Department of Vallejos said her CHDS Emergence personal data entry and security checks, Homeland Security/U.S. Program experience was “excellent and Center for Homeland Defense and Security Immigration & Customs enriching,” and the highlight was getting Emergence Program cohort 2001 graduate Enforcement to “collaborate, discuss, and work with Kristin Vallejos saw an opportunity to use EMERGENCE 2001 other homeland security and public safety artificial intelligence to improve accuracy and professionals from diverse backgrounds streamline the process. and professions.” The DHS/U.S. Immigration & Customs “The program really helped broadened working with the developers to get access to Enforcement (ICE) senior personnel my perspective on emerging threats to all required systems and has started the task security specialist was already working homeland security, and how we might documentation process for them. as program manager for the One DHS approach the solutions and decision-making According to Vallejos, the initiative will Credential initiative aimed at creating around those threats,” Vallejos said. “My follow a two-phase process. First, RPA will an agency-wide credential for contract profession is a very narrow field, and we be developed for data entry into the DHS background investigators to be used in a are often insulated in what we do. Being system, and second, RPA will be developed background investigation services contract a part of this program helped me better for security checks to be automated. awarded in February. understand how the work I’m doing in Vallejos called the manual credentialing “Being a part of this (CHDS personnel security fits into some of the process “insufficient and prone to bigger issues of homeland security. Going human error,” including data being input Emergence) program helped me forward, the new network of CHDS will incorrectly and causing problems with better understand how the work be a huge benefit to me as I work to find issuing credentials as well as data integrity well-rounded and balanced approaches to security problems associated with incorrect I’m doing in personnel security personnel security and the issues we face profiles and security checks, which she fits into some of the bigger within our profession. Additionally, the said, “degrades the integrity of the approval issues of homeland security.” expanded perspectives and critical thinking process and puts the agency at risk.” skills I’ve learned from the program will Already exploring the use of artificial — KRISTIN VALLEJOS really benefit me in making personnel intelligence to improve the “quality security determinations for our agency.” Vallejos said once the initiative and strength” of the personnel Vallejos’ Emergence cohort included 30 is further into development she will security process as her CHDS participants who graduated in April. have a better idea about how long it Emergence change initiative, Emergence Program change initiatives will take to be implemented. Vallejos proposed using robotic are part of a typical six-month session that Initially, Vallejos said she process automation (RPA) to includes an innovation lab for participants intended as part of her change improve the entire background to research and develop an idea for change initiative to propose the use of investigator credentialling process. within their organization, which can include artificial intelligence in an effort Vallejos said she met with anything from a new policy approach, new to build and enhance quality her division chief to discuss program, or procedure to a new system assurance processes which will the proposal for the One DHS or use of technology aimed at enhancing eventually be required as part of the Credential and he was “definitely homeland security or emergency and Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiative for in favor of the proposal and gave security management. n personnel security across the U.S. me a green light to start the RPA government. development process.” But over the recent past few MORE EMERGENCE She said she also pitched the months’ time, she said her unit at idea to the program developer, FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EMERGENCE PROGRAM ICE and DHS as a whole has shifted who acknowledged it was a great focus to the Continuous Evaluation VISIT CHDS.US/EMERGENCE candidate for RPA, and agreed Program, and her previous proposal to start the development process. became “stale.” Currently, Vallejos said she is WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 19 CHDS ALUMNI CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT BY PATRICK KUHL

early a dozen Center for Homeland  1 What should be the future vision of • Donald Bliss, Vice President, Field Operations (Ret.), Defense and Security alumni emergency management and FEMA in National Fire Protection Association serve on the Federal Emergency 2045? How should FEMA and its (CHDS Subject Matter Expert) NManagement Agency’s (FEMA) National non-federal partners address a future • Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Advisory Council (NAC) that presented a that includes increasing disasters and Emergency Management Department, now FEMA report in November 2020 to then FEMA downward pressure on federal funding? Administrator (Executive Leaders Program 2008, Administrator Peter Gaynor containing recommendations on key issues facing 2 Given the downward federal budget Master’s Program 2011) FEMA and the field of emergency pressures and upward natural hazard • C harley English, National Emergency Management management. trends, what are the best ways to build Liaison, American Red Cross (Master’s Program 2004) capacity in response, recovery, Gaynor, who became the Acting • Charles Esteves, Administrator, Guam Office of Civil Secretary of Homeland Security after preparedness, and mitigation at the Defense (Executive Leaders Program 2018, Chad Wolf announced his departure, is local, tribal, territorial, and state levels? Pacific Executive Leaders Program 2021) also a CHDS alumnus (Executive Leaders 3 What actions should FEMA take to Program, 2013). ensure marginalized and vulnerable • Lori Hodges, Director, Emergency Management, The NAC advises the Administrator communities can recover quickly? How Larimer County, CO (Executive Leaders Program 2013, on all aspects of emergency management, can FEMA better structure its programs Master’s Program 2015) including preparedness, protection, to meet the needs of the most • Ja ckie Lindsey, Chief, Santa Fe County Fire Department response, recovery, and mitigation for vulnerable populations, especially (Master’s Program 2017) natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and women and children? manmade disasters. • Lin da Long, Battalion Chief, Philadelphia Fire The composition of the NAC is a The report is also notable due to Department (Executive Leaders Program 2018) reflection of the Center for Homeland the sheer number of issues confronting • B rad Richy, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Defense and Security’s (CHDS) academic emergency management in the last year State of Idaho (Executive Leaders Program 2014, programs, representing a geographically from devastating wildfires in the West to a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program 2016) diverse cross-section of officials, emergency record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, • Jeff Stern, Former State Coordinator, Virginia Division managers, and emergency responders all coming amidst the COVID-19 pandemic of Emergency Management and Superintendent, from state, local, tribal and territorial and civil unrest. governments, the private sector, and non- Similar to CHDS alumni, many of the Emergency Management Institute, Federal Emergency governmental organizations. NAC members are on the front lines and Management Agency (Executive Leaders Program 2016) So, perhaps unsurprisingly, CHDS has leading the collective response to these • Tin a Titze, Director, South Dakota Office of Emergency maintained a strong relationship with the difficult situations. Management (Executive Leaders Program 2016) NAC. But the overall collection of CHDS “Despite not being able to have our usual • Jame s Waskom, Director, Louisiana Governor’s Office alumni acknowledged as contributing to in-person meetings, we were able to continue of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness the latest report is nonetheless impressive to work as a group to finish this report,” CHDS with 11 members on the council and three Executive Leaders Program alumna Linda (Executive Leaders Program 2018) others named in the report. Long, Battalion Chief at the Philadelphia Three other CHDS alumni also In recent years, the NAC has presented Fire Department, said. “What I learned from participated in developing the NAC report its recommendations in a memorandum the ELP program and from members of my by speaking on NAC subcommittee calls: format but this time it was delivered in a cohort helped me to formulate my response to more thorough report format that provides these important questions.” • Curtis Brown, State Coordinator, Virginia Department of more context, anticipated impact, and The NAC consists of up to 35 members Emergency Management (Executive Leaders Program 2020) implementation considerations. who serve three-year terms with This report is also unique because it approximately a third expiring each year. • Just in Kates, Director, Office of Emergency Management, represents a shift in reporting scope. In Members are appointed by the FEMA City of Nashua, NH (Master’s Program 2021) November of 2019, the National Advisory Administrator as Representatives, Special • Dav e Kaufman, Vice President and Director of Council was charged with addressing Government Employees, or Ex Officio. Safety and Security, Center for Naval Analyses questions that would take a full year to The following list highlights CHDS (Executive Leaders Program 2007) n answer instead of the traditional six months. alumni and faculty who contributed to the Administrator Gaynor asked the NAC to report as members of the NAC. address the following: 20 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 ELP ALUMNUS RETURNS TO DISCUSS NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS BY PATRICK KUHL

enter for Homeland Security Lisa Rees, Leadership Coach at U.S. Citizen JAY TABB Executive Leaders Program and Immigration Services; "Leading in Senior Vice President of alumnus Jay Tabb led off a group Tumultuous Times" with former Acting Global Security Division at Cof speakers for the second educational Secretary of DHS Chad Wolf; "Border Crisis Response Company, LLC. module for ELP cohort 2001 conducted in Management and Security" with Alan Bersin, ELP1602 mid-February. former Commissioner of U.S. Customs Tabb (ELP cohort 1602) was the first and Border Protection; and "Diversity in speaker to address the cohort, tackling Homeland Security" with Curtis Brown, State the topic, “Perspective on National Coordinator of Emergency Management for Security Threats.” the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tabb leveraged his 30-plus years of that level of knowledge. While the ELP content is traditionally experience managing and mitigating risk But the overarching solutions that Tabb delivered to participants in the classroom to provide a detailed overview of the most suggested can be applied across the board. during in-residence sessions, CHDS pressing threats and challenges facing “It requires a whole of government transitioned to online remote delivery in our democracy. His presentation covered response, open lines of communication, response to travel restrictions, shelter-in- the U.S. terrorism threat, as well as the a culture of information sharing, and place orders, and concern for program significant intelligence threat posed by opportunities for integrated effort,” he said. participants. This enables the program to nation-state actors, while providing effective safely run uninterrupted throughout the solutions through enhanced partnerships. “I formed some great bonds COVID-19 pandemic while participants “After participating in ELP in 2016 perform their jobs on the frontlines of the and understanding how the experience is and really learned a lot from my national response at the local, state, tribal, designed, I know how important it is for experience as an ELP participant, territorial, federal, and private-sector levels. this group of homeland security leaders ELP is a unique educational forum to develop a broad understanding of so it feels great to give back to the for senior-level homeland security and national security threats,” Tabb explained. program and the next cohort of public safety leaders, designed to enhance “The starting point for that is learning homeland security leaders.” decision-making and foster collaboration how the U.S. government looks at while bridging gaps in interagency and terrorism, counter-terrorism, and foreign — JAY TABB intergovernmental cooperation. intelligence operations.” The hybrid ELP model consists of four The ELP participants were thoroughly one-week seminars over 12 months. engaged by the content of Tabb’s Tabb is currently positioned as Senior One of the hallmarks of ELP is presentation and the ensuing discussion Vice President of Global Security Division insightful discussion guided by an provided a platform to share ideas from at Crisis Response Company after serving accomplished cadre of subject matter within their own respective agencies or the majority of his career as a Senior experts that draw on their personal jurisdictions, with the ultimate goal to Executive and Special Agent with the and professional experiences to inform establish solutions and integrate best Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is participants about critical topics, and this practices across the diverse network of also a former U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) session was right on target. homeland security. infantry officer with over three decades The general objectives for this particular “I formed some great bonds and really of national security and law enforcement learning module were to elicit critical learned a lot from my experience as an ELP experience leading strategic programs, thinking and provide a useful framework participant,” Tabb said, “so it feels great managing organizational risk, and for thinking about homeland security while to give back to the program and the next overseeing global security solutions. creating opportunities to learn from other cohort of homeland security leaders.” The other speakers also generated rich disciplines and expanding participants’ Some of the key takeaways from Tabb’s discussions between participants. Some of knowledge about homeland security issues. n presentation were the evolving threat the topics included "Violent Extremism" presented by domestic terrorists and the rise with Christian Picciolini, founder of the MORE ELP of radically motivated violent extremists. Free Radicals Project; "Thinking Critically For the sake of national security, we can’t About Homeland Security" with Dr. Chris Bellavita, CHDS Academic Programs FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERS share some of the sensitive content that was PROGRAM VISIT CHDS.US/ELP covered in Tabb’s presentation. You’ll have Director; "Intergenerational Workplace to apply for ELP if you want to delve into Dynamics and Communication" with WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 21 ELP GRAD MAKES DIVERSITY IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HIS MISSION BY JIM JOHNSON

or Virginia state coordinator of CURTIS BROWN definition” of diversity including people emergency management Curtis with disabilities, LGBTQ, religious beliefs, State Coordinator (Director) Brown, diversity, equity, and inclusion disadvantaged communities, and other of Emergency Management Fin homeland security and emergency underrepresented groups. at Virginia Department of management is not just the right thing to During his in-residence session at Emergency Management do, it’s the smart thing to do. CHDS at the Naval Postgraduate School in ELP1901 The Center for Homeland Defense Monterey, CA in 2019, Brown was asked by and Security Executive Leaders Program ELP leaders Ellen Gordon and Sara Kay to graduate (ELP 2000 graduate) who is the make a presentation to the class on diversity, first African American to lead his state’s Brown said it’s important for those equity, and inclusion in homeland security emergency management department has communities to be represented by those and emergency management. made it his mission to advocate for greater in emergency management who will be That presentation, he said, focused diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fields responding to the disasters and helping lead on implementing innovative strategies by demonstrating the evidence-based the rebuilding process by leveraging limited for improving diversity in organizations reasons for doing so. economic resources “for the greater good.” including improved hiring practices. “Overall, diversity, equity, and inclusion He notes that there is “still the need to is itself a good thing,” Brown said during actively recruit a more diverse cadre” in an interview with CHDS. “Data and “Overall, diversity, equity, emergency management and a need for research show that it makes sense and it’s and inclusion is itself a good “intentional outreach, removing barriers, fundamental to the mission in emergency thing. Data and research show and providing additional support” to them management.” for leadership roles. The co-founder of the non-profit that it makes sense and it’s Brown now serves as a guest speaker on Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in fundamental to the mission in diversity and inclusion issues for the CHDS Emergency Management noted that the Executive Leaders Program and has already disasters of the 20th and 21st centuries emergency management.” made two more presentations via remote have shown that the people most impacted — CURTIS BROWN means and is expected to travel to the by death, injury, and economic loss are CHDS campus in August for a presentation. “marginalized communities,” including While race, ethnicity, and gender He noted that it appears there is an communities of color, rural communities, tend to be the focus of diversity pushes, increased interest in the issues of diversity and those with a lack of resources. Brown said his institute includes a “broad and inclusion these days, in the wake of

22 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION GOALS

Cultivate women Promote integration and people of color of social equity through training within emergency programs to management to become emergency improve outcomes management leaders for communities of color and vulnerable populations

Increase the number Promote, support and of women and people disseminate research of color within the regarding diversity and emergency management inclusion in emergency profession; for management communities of color and vulnerable populations

Educate and train Build resilience in the emergency communities of color management and underserved enterprise on communities by diversity, inclusion supporting innovative and equity issues mitigation and adaptation projects, and more Source: Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management what he called an “unusual year” that saw the have been historically and institutionally Brown has homeland security and COVID-19 pandemic have a disproportionate underserved and under-represented,” she emergency management experience at the impact on communities of color, and the added. “We are fortunate to have Curtis federal, state, and local levels, including murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Brown as one of our incredible guest as Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and police officer that has sparked widespread Homeland Security, regional management discussions about criminal justice. There is “still the need to actively coordinator for the Hampton Roads planning ELP director Sara Kay said Brown’s district commission, professional staff on the session offers “important insights into the recruit a more diverse cadre” in U.S. House of Representatives Committee benefits for homeland security leaders of emergency management and a on Homeland Security, and senior special focusing on diversity, inclusion, equity, and need for “intentional outreach, assistant to the Virginia Governor in the inclusion in their respective organizations, Office of Commonwealth Preparedness. jurisdictions, and outward-facing work.” removing barriers, and providing He received a B.S. in Political Science Kay said Brown is a “scholar on the topic additional support” to them for from Radford University, a Master of of diversity” and as his state’s emergency Public Administration from Virginia Tech management coordinator has “practical leadership roles. University, and a Master of Arts in Homeland experience highlighting the importance — CURTIS BROWN Security and Emergency Preparedness from of bringing diverse perspectives and Virginia Commonwealth University. n backgrounds to the complex challenges speakers to help educate our executive homeland security leaders face.” leaders. The fact that he is an ELP alum FIND MORE “It’s important we talk about how the who deeply understands the goals of the homeland security enterprise can support Executive Leaders Program makes his WWW.I-DIEM.ORG all communities, including those which participation even more meaningful.” WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 23 ALUMNI LEAD USING UNMANNED SYSTEMS FOR 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES BY ANGI ENGLISH

eonardo DaVinci once said, “All great ANGI ENGLISH acts of genius began with the same Former Chief of Staff, consideration: Do not be constrained New Mexico Department Lby your present reality.” of Homeland Security and Fast forward to 2006, when drone Emergency Management advocates saw Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ELP1201, MA1303/1304, (UAVs) or drones allowed in U.S. airspace for HSx1701 the first time to follow and assist with search and rescue and disaster relief efforts during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Turns out, this would be the first of many Moreover, he said, “We use drones for iterations and innovations by security and research, remote sensing, and photography, and the transportation industry for emergency professionals, including alumni GB Jones operates a Mavic Air 2. from the Center for Homeland Defense and infrastructure inspection is increasingly Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. widespread." provides emergency planning and airspace CHDS alumni such as Steven Polunsky, GB This collaborative effort with the Institute security planning in support of all NFL Jones, Angi English, and Jackie Lindsey are and the University of Alabama at Huntsville, games and events, including international taking to the sky, using drones for a variety the lead institution for disaster preparedness overseas games. of purposes. and response research, provided insight into “In my NFL role,” Jones states, “I do Unmanned systems have exponentially the safe integration of UAS into the disaster a lot of evaluation of drones and drone changed the ecosystem of public safety. In preparedness and response areas. detection systems, to provide guidance and March of 2020, The Center for the Study UAH recently received a $1.1 million expertise to the clubs, teams, and stadium of the Drone at Bard College reported that FAA/ASSURE grant to focus on procedures operators, about existing and emerging 1,578 state and local police, sheriff, fire, and to coordinate with the Department of technologies. We are also exploring the emergency services agencies in the U.S. are Interior, the Department of Homeland safe integration of drones into the game believed to have acquired drones. Security, the Federal Emergency day experience for not only security but Along with the proliferation of drone Management Agency, and other federal, also for broadcasting, event operations, use, there are increased chances of drones local, and state organizations to ensure entertainment, marketing, and other being used for nefarious purposes such as proper coordination during emergencies. business use cases.” smuggling, illegal surveillance, blackmail, or In addition, the FAA recently selected Jackie Lindsey (Master’s Program disruption of airport operations. the Huntsville International Airport as one 1601/1602), Fire Chief of Santa Fe County, As the recently announced Remote ID of four locations across the country to serve NM was at the forefront of unmanned attests to, the FAA is well on the way to as a test site for drone research, in particular, systems technology in 2019 when she establishing a true system for managing the “Airport UAS Detection and Mitigation facilitated a half-million-dollar drone unmanned aerial traffic. Research Program.” program for the State of New Mexico as GB Jones (Master’s Program 1401/1402) former New Mexico Secretary of Homeland Alumni Lead on Many Fronts is currently the Director of Investigations and Security and Emergency Management. The ability of unmanned systems to be a Security Services – International & Special Lindsey noted that “this cutting-edge powerful tool for various uses has not been Events for the National Football League. technology allows us to better address the lost on CHDS alumni; instead, they’ve Prior to joining the NFL, Mr. Jones was Vice safety and security needs of New Mexicans leveraged these powerful tools to meet the President and Chief Security Officer for Terra and all who travel to our state. Our drones needs of the 21st Century. Vigilis Security Group, a specialized security allow the Department of Homeland Security Steven Polunsky (Master’s Program company with an emphasis on aerial security, and Emergency Management (DSHEM) 1403/1404, HSx 1701), Director of the counter-drone operations, and integrated to determine the scope of incidents from Transportation Policy Research Group at security solutions. Jones retired from the the air and more immediately coordinate the University of Alabama, is using drones Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in May response and recovery.” at the Institute to train 15 students, faculty, 2019 after nearly 23 years of service. When Angi English (Master’s Program and staff as drone pilots. He states, "We In March 2020, he joined another CHDS 1303/1304, ELP 1201, HSx 1701) joined are proud to offer this useful training for alum Cathy Lanier (Master’s Program Lindsey as Chief of Staff of New Mexico transportation researchers to augment their 1401/1402), the current NFL Senior Vice DHSEM and Part 107 drone pilot, the existing skills and knowledge." President and Chief Security Officer, and he program continued to grow with a dedicated

24 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 remembering those who served Angi English and Jackie Lindsey with Silent Falcon.

Interestingly, in hazardous materials situations, Klok uses sensors on the UGV to it is with great sadness type what kind of hazardous materials are we mark the passing of present in any given situation. one member of our Because of Klok’s long history of CHDS community. working with UGVs, he predicts that the Remembered by next innovations likely for unmanned ground systems will be “smart robots” Your CHDS Family. with more autonomous features. Klok In Memoriam states that “the most significant potential for the enhancement of bomb disposal robots perhaps rests in the robot’s ability to

Rick Klok with unmanned systems bomb detection equipment. manipulate objects with fine motor controls, much like a human being. Haptic technology mobile command with the New Mexico is emerging on bomb disposal robots to Fusion Center enhancing crime scene provide the robot operator tactile feedback analysis and criminal surveillance. that creates the sense of touch through force, In 2016, English also crafted the NPS vibration, and motion sensors.” CHDS Drone Facebook group for alumni Klok notes that “larger and heavier, EOD discussions on the use of unmanned systems robots are more prevalent in domestic bomb of all types. disposal, where there is a need for more robust She currently serves as a Board Advisor capabilities such as investigating potential for DRONERESPONDERS, Inc, the world’s Vehicle Borne IEDs (VBIED) and suspicious largest non-profit advocacy program for the packages. Either way, small or large, the basic use of unmanned systems in public safety. need of all bomb disposal robots is the same; Beverly Good Rick Klok (Master’s Program keep the human body out of harm’s way.” MA0903/0904 1903/1904) has been using unmanned Klok reports that “the Andros F6 series ground vehicles (UGVs) in all aspects of Director, Baltimore Field robot is a workhorse, and it is the robot Operations - CBP bomb technology for more than 15 years most often utilized at the Hazardous in Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), Devices School at Redstone Arsenal, in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and Huntsville, AL. Redstone Arsenal is the Hazardous materials applications. only facility in the United States that trains As a bomb technician for the Gwinnett Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBT) of Police Department in Lawrenceville, GA, which Klok is a graduate. Klok annually responds to approximately Clearly, these alumni are not 120 calls per year, mostly for examinations “constrained by (their) present reality,” as of suspicious packages. But he reports his DaVinci advised. The future is bright for unmanned ground vehicles have been continued innovation from these alumni used for SWAT support by providing and future alumni in the use of unmanned robotic entry surveillance and two-way systems for good in our local communities communications with suspects. and nation overall. n WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 25 FDNY alumni from all CHDS programs pictured at the 9/11 Museum in New York City.

26 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 REMEMBERING 9/11 A Turning Point in U.S. History By Jim Johnson

FDNY alumni from all CHDS programs pictured at the 9/11 Museum in New York City.

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 27 ever forget. the homeland from exterior threats. But “Our collective reflections in this It’s a kind of mantra at the even as the definition of homeland security article epitomize thousands of others Center for Homeland Defense and and the effort to ensure it has evolved and and stimulate so many emotions and NSecurity. And it applies now as much as ever expanded to include natural disasters and memories. Sadness, fear, anger, and to that fateful day – September 11, 2001 – domestic threats, the nation is now being frustration, but also hope, courage, when Al Q’aida terrorists flew commercial threatened by an external campaign led airliners into the World Trade Center by rivals like Russia and China to foment optimism, resolve and tenderness. in New York and into the Pentagon in division among the American people Which ones do we take and embrace Washington D.C., and attempted to do the through the spread of disinformation as we move forward into the next same to the U.S. Capitol but ended up in a and misinformation on social media, two decades? What world do we Pennsylvania field. and distrust of the nation’s democratic want to inspire, create, and shape? The attacks killed thousands of Americans, institutions. The memories of that fateful day are nearly 3,000 at the World Trade Center alone, Therein lies the existential challenge to and shook the nation to its core. homeland security facing this and the next Later this summer, the U.S. will mark generation’s leadership, a challenge that at the 20th anniversary of the day now known least one CHDS subject matter expert says is (Master’s Program, UAPP participant simply as 9/11. It has been dubbed “our even greater than 9/11. 0805/0806, HSx 1701) remembers standing generation’s Pearl Harbor” by veteran As the U.S. Department of Homeland near the World Trade Center in a “collapse homeland security officials due to the Security's mission statement says: “Together, zone” looking up at the North Tower when number of warnings that precluded the we are committed to relentless resilience, it fell and watching three New York City attack and the failure to connect the dots to striving to prevent future attacks against firefighters kneel and make the sign of the prevent it; a “wake-up call” for the nation that the United States and our allies, responding cross as “rumbling, unfathomable noise, and forced the U.S. to get involved internationally decisively to natural and manmade chaos followed.” in a way that it had previously been reluctant disasters, and advancing American After finding cover and then regrouping, to do in the global War on Terror and the prosperity and economic security long into the NYPD lieutenant and his fellow first conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and from the future.” responders made their way back to what is which the nation is still trying to figure out In addition to the 9/11 commemoration now known as Ground Zero to search for how to disengage. book, which will feature short essays, survivors, but the “smoldering pile before In this article, and in the 9/11 photos, art, poems, and other 9/11-related us told a harrowing tale: thousands of our commemoration book slated for release in materials, CHDS’s Homeland Security friends, colleagues, and fellow New Yorkers print and online later this summer, CHDS Digital Library is also creating an In Focus were forever lost.” founders, faculty, and alumni share their list, a blog, and an online 9/11 anniversary In all, 23 NYPD officers, 37 Port memories of 9/11, including its prologue and timeline event that will be available to all Authority officers, and 343 NYFD epilogue. They’ll also share their thoughts on CHDS faculty, staff, and alumni. firefighters died in the World Trade Center the formation and evolution of the Center Memories remain all too vivid for those collapse. A total of 2,977 people died in the in the wake of the attacks, and how the who experienced 9/11 and are recounted collapse of the two towers, and thousands homeland security enterprise has changed in detail in the 9/11 commemoration book more have died from 9/11-related illnesses over the past two decades, and its capacity for including those by some CHDS faculty and since then, while thousands more still suffer planning for, preventing, and responding to alumni from New York and Washington debilitating 9/11-related health issues and the myriad and complex threats the nation D.C. who were charged with responding post-traumatic stress. faces today and in the future. during and immediately after the attacks. Comiskey was among “hundreds” of In the days and years after 9/11, this CHDS alum and former New York City police officers and firefighters who scoured nation was united in the fight to preserve Police Department officer John Comiskey Ground Zero for survivors on 9/11. 9/11 TIMELINE

FEBRUARY 26, 1993 APRIL 1999 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 8:46 AM SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 9:03 AM SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 9:59 AM Terrorists with links to an The hijackers began to obtain Hijackers aboard American Hijackers crash United Airlines The South Tower of the World Islamist extremist group passports and visas for travel Airlines Flight 11 crash the plane Flight 175 into floors 75-85 of the Trade Center collapses. detonate explosives in a van to the United States. into floors 93-99 of the North WTC’s South Tower. parked underneath the WTC. Tower of the World Trade Center.

AUGUST 1998 APRIL 2001 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 8:50 AM SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 9:37 AM SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 10:07 AM Khalid Sheikh Mohammed The hijackers began arriving White House Chief of Staff Hijackers aboard American Airlines After passengers and crew members aboard the and Osama bin Laden agree in the U.S. on tourist visas Andrew Card alerts President Flight 77 crash the plane into the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 contact friends and to plan an attack on sites with cash and traveler’s George W. Bush that a plane western façade of the Pentagon in family and learn about the attacks in New York and in the USA, using suicide checks acquired in the has hit the World Trade Center; Washington, D.C. Washington, they mount an attempt to retake the bombers and planes. Middle East. the president is visiting an plane. In response, hijackers deliberately crash the elementary school in Sarasota, plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Florida at the time. killing all 40 passengers and crew aboard.

28 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 still raw even now and we’ve added see at the windows on the upper floors,” and McVeigh’s trial in the Denver area, but 9/11 more distressing memories in the the “inexplicable counting of the people falling was “unprecedented” because no one knew years since. But I‘m truly confident down the face of those buildings” and thought where the next target might be and everyone that the brave women and men that about the risk to all the firefighters and others was wondering what might come next, responding to the disaster. But he said he and including the potential for “copycat” attacks. pass through the Center’s doors — other responders could never have predicted A few years later, she said she got a call past, present and future — will take the scale of the loss experienced on that day. directly from the Pentagon asking her if she our remembered history and shape Mahoney would lead an FBI search would participate in the new CHDS Master’s our collective future in genuinely team into the Ground Zero site between program, the only public health official to be positive and unified ways. collapses, noting that few knew about invited to join the inaugural class. Never Forget.” the 100 or so agents who worked at the CHDS alum and Advanced Thinking in — Glen Woodbury, site during the attacks that day. He was a Homeland Security founding scholar Dan CHDS Director supervisor in the FBI Crisis Command O’Connor (Master’s Program, ELP 0801 and and Recovery Center at the World Trade 1201/1202, HSx 1701) said his 9/11 actually Center for six months afterward, and after started on Sept. 7 when, as a U.S. Marine retiring managed the writing of the master Corps anti-terrorism officer, he had already Retired for a decade from the NYPD, security plan for the World Trade Center told Pentagon leadership there was a need Comiskey is now an associate professor of site redevelopment. to invest in anti-terrorism planning and that homeland security at Monmouth University. CHDS Master’s Program alum Susan someday it would hurt the nation because CHDS alum and retired FBI agent Jones-Hard, who would join the first-ever the threat wasn’t being taken seriously Robert Mahoney (Master’s Program cohort CHDS Master’s class at the new institution enough. He had also written a Marine Corps 0703/0704) remembers running toward the in 2003 and serve for more than 11 years news article predicting that leaders wouldn’t World Trade Center just moments after the as managing director for the CHDS Mobile take terrorism threats serious enough until South Tower was hit by the second hijacked Education Team program, has a unique the World Trade Center was laying in the plane. He and a colleague were clad in blue story to tell both during and after 9/11. On streets of New York City, noting the 1993 “raid jackets” emblazoned with the letters the day of the attacks, she was the director attack on the World Trade Center and other “FBI” on them and moving unimpeded of the Colorado Department of Public terrorist attacks had not led to adequate through a “sea of people” going the opposite Health and Environment’s emergency investment in anti-terrorism efforts. direction away from the “unfolding horror management program and emergency Four days before 9/11, O’Connor had a scant few blocks away” who parted to let response coordinator. But she and her fire been notified he was being replaced, and them through. official husband had just returned home to on the day of the attacks, he was at the FBI Among the endless line of police cars, care for their nine-month-old daughter, who Academy in training for a new assignment. fire engines, ambulances, and other official was recovering from surgery. So instead On the morning of 9/11, O’Connor said and emergency vehicles traveling the same of working at their offices, she and her he remembered hearing three FBI agents way, Mahoney said he locked eyes with a husband were forced to set up a command from New York have their pagers go off, and firefighter passing by with his fellows in center at home and feed information to shortly afterward the group was informed a fire truck and realized they must know their staff in the office, who had none of that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. they were riding to their deaths without the modern advantages such as high-speed After asking if it was a Cessna and being told it dawning on him he might be running internet, and didn’t even have a TV. it appeared to be a larger plane, O’Connor left toward his own. Jones-Hard said she had acquired immediately and headed to work. And he remembers looking “straight up emergency management expertise as a result “My worst fears were coming true,” the nearly a quarter of a mile high at the huge hole of the Columbine High School mass murders New York native said, noting that his brothers in the face of the North Tower, at the raging and the Oklahoma City bomber Timothy in the NYPD and FDNY both responded to fires and smoke, and at the people you could

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 10:28 AM OCTOBER 8, 2001 NOVEMBER 25, 2002 DECEMBER 2001- JUNE 2004 JANUARY 2, 2011 The World Trade Center’s North President George W. Bush announces the President George W. Bush signs the The Victims Compensation Fund The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Tower collapses, 102 minutes creation of the Office of Homeland Security to Homeland Security Act creating provides over $7 billion in aid to Compensation Act of 2010 is signed after being struck by American “develop and coordinate the implementation of the United States Department of people with 9/11-related illness into law by President Barack Airlines Flight 11. a comprehensive national strategy to secure the Homeland Security. and the families of the deceased Obama. It renews and expands the United States from terrorist threats or attacks.” or injured. Victim Compensation Fund.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | 5:20 PM EARLY 2002 JANUARY 2003 JULY 22, 2004 NOVEMBER 3, 2014 The 47-story 7 World Trade The Naval Postgraduate School begins The first NPS-CHDS Master's Degree The 9/11 Commission Report is released. One World Trade Center collapses after burning plans to develop a master’s degree in classes begin instruction and the It includes classified documents, airport Center officially for hours. It is the last building homeland security and mobile education first Mobile Education Team (MET) security footage of the hijackers, and opens on the site of to fall. team seminars for governors and to house seminar for governors is delivered cockpit voice recordings from United the Twin Towers. the pilot programs in a new Center for in New Hampshire. Airlines Flight 93. The report claims all Homeland Defense and Security. 19 hijackers were members of al Qaeda.

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 29 Remembering 9/11 continues CHDS thesis advisor Kathleen Kiernan (UAPP participant) was a newly promoted the disaster, and he had many friends who assistant director for the Federal Bureau of worked in the World Trade Center, as well as Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) who friends in the Pentagon where he had worked. might have been working at Washington O’Connor’s brothers survived but he had DC headquarters on 9/11. Instead, Kiernan friends and colleagues who didn’t make it. was at an ATF intelligence conference in O’Connor said he knew immediately Kansas City, MO aimed at sharing best that the nation was at war after such an practices and contributing to the building “unprecedented, off the charts” live terrorist of a new Intelligence Directorate on the attack on the epicenter of the financial day of the attacks. In retrospect, Kiernan industry and its iconic buildings. said ATF would never again allow that By the time he reached his office, many top agents and intelligence analysts O’Connor said his replacement was gone in one place at one time. and his superior officer told him it was his Kiernan said the conference quickly job again. shifted to a command center aimed at getting “The world had been changed forever in attendees back home to their families and 9/11 Memorial & Museum and base of the World Trade Center complex a couple of minutes,” he said. “I wasn’t so job responsibilities. She and a few other top in New York City. much in shock as wondering if I was up to officials hitched a ride on a diverted American the task. Airlines commercial airliner to Washington “My 9/11 is 19 years old. I have friends DC, which she said was “very likely” the only who are still hunting terrorists, and they commercial flight in operation at the time may never be done.” since all others had been grounded, and was CHDS co-founder and subject matter perhaps the only plane in the air other than expert Mike Walker (UAPP participant) Airforce One carrying President Bush. remembers driving to his Washington D.C. Picked up by a police bus at the airport, office on the morning of 9/11 to prepare for Kiernan and the other officials drove by a a meeting at the Pentagon and listening to Pentagon still engulfed in flames, and by CNN on XM Radio when he heard the news 11:30 p.m. were meeting with FBI director that a “small plane” had struck the World Robert Mueller. While she lived just a mile Trade Center. He said he immediately called away, Kiernan said she didn’t go home for a his friend, CHDS co-founder Jim Morhard, week, and she and others had to be ordered who was then U.S. Senate subcommittee to catch some sleep at a motel because “no staff director overseeing Department of one wanted to stop working.” Justice appropriations at the U.S. Capitol. Walker blames 9/11 on a “failure The best time to see the September 11 Memorial at the Pentagon is at night. Morhard turned on the TV and of information sharing, a failure of Each of the bench-like memorials is a tribute to each person killed on 9/11 described a scene that indicated damage in Washington, D.C., whether they were on the American Airlines plane or coordination, a failure of leadership,” and inside the Pentagon itself. much greater than a small plane when the it was clear early on that the nation needed second plane hit, and Morhard immediately to improve in all of those areas if it was to said, “It’s Osama Bin Laden.” Walker said be ready for the next major attack which he he knew his friend, who had been warning said many believed was coming. about a coming terror attack on American Paul Stockton, who was the Naval soil, was right. Postgraduate School deputy provost at Just days later, Walker had been recalled the time, was already preparing a master’s to federal duty for $1 per year to serve on program on weapons of mass destruction a five-person red team working directly for when 9/11 happened. the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld After the attacks, Walker said Congress as he put together the nation’s response to asked “what more could be done at NPS. the attacks. CHDS was born” just months after 9/11 in When Walker, a former acting Secretary early 2002, pre-dating even the Department of the Army, arrived at the Pentagon he of Homeland Security, which is the said the smell of jet fuel was “still strong institution’s main sponsor. throughout the whole building,” and it Walker said he and Stockton went to was in that environment he went to work. The Hill together and Morhard’s committee The next 10 weeks, he said, were the “most ended up funding the new graduate-level Tower of Voices at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., exhausting, but the most meaningful, of executive education institution focused on where the tower contains 40 wind chimes representing the 40 people that perished in the crash of United Airlines Flight 93. my now 50-year career.” the emerging field of homeland security.

30 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 “The early history of CHDS is in some Walker said the “contributions of CHDS ways about being in the right place at the far exceeded expectations” and “played a right time,” Walker said. key role in establishing the discipline of As an executive education institution, homeland security.” CHDS’ underlying value as a source of He said CHDS programs were designed innovation has served it well over the from the beginning to educate a “new decades, allowing it to remain flexible as generation of critical thinkers” equipped homeland security threats have evolved. to ensure the nation would never again Starting out small, with a master’s program be unprepared for another 9/11. “It’s been and a mobile education program, CHDS has exciting to watch,” he said. grown exponentially in size and scope. At the same time, Walker said present Academically, it now offers a range of and future threats are “far more diverse” programs including the Master’s Degree and the nation is “faced with a much more Program, Executive Leaders Program, complex world” than 20 years ago, and Emergence Program, and several Executive those challenges require “far more nimble, Education Programs, as well as self-study courageous, complex, and creative thinking.” courses, research and learning resources, “It’s not for the timid or the and more, all backed by the top faculty, bureaucratic,” he said. “Information sharing instructors, subject matter experts and staff is better but still not good enough. We in the field, educating more than 3,000 need to be nimble in the future to deal with Senior leadership at FDNY photographed at the 9/11 Museum. alumni in local, state, territorial, tribal, rapidly changing threats. We need to avoid Chief of Department, Tom Richardson (MA 0901/0902), Chief of Operations, Jack Hodgens (ELP 2001) , and Asst. Chief of Operations, Rich Blatus (MA 0701/0702) . federal, and private industry organizations. bureaucratic responses, and we need to Perhaps more importantly, CHDS evolved come together as a nation.” with the changing definition of homeland Some hard lessons have been learned as He said CHDS is uniquely able to security, that emerged in the aftermath of a result of 9/11 and in the decades since, prepare the nation’s leaders to prepare Hurricane Katrina and has moved away Comiskey said. “We have learned we need and respond. “There might be 1,000 more from a sole focus on international terrorism. to collaborate. We think about prevention problems but there are also 250 new Today's all-hazards focus includes the and mitigation more than we did. We solutions. The beauty of CHDS is the desire threats posed by hurricanes, wildfires, realize the value of organization. We’re to improve never stops. It’s a dynamic space floods, and other natural disasters, and more future-minded.” focused on how to stay on the cutting edge cyber-attacks, pandemics, border security, Comiskey said CHDS’s role is an essential of homeland security while staying rooted and domestic threats including political one and the institution is “well-positioned to in a sense of the fundamentals. It’s rooted and social unrest driven or exacerbated by prepare future leaders to meet the challenges in the understanding that bad things can international interference. of an ever-changing threat landscape.” happen and when they do we need enough Comiskey noted all threats can occur Jones-Hard said there was some smart people working together to develop simultaneously and overlap, creating a more uncertainty in the years after 9/11 about solutions. It’s amazing to see people sit down complex challenge to address, pointing to how public health fits into the homeland and work the problem. It’s an incubator for last summer’s confluence of COVID-19, security enterprise, and she said she problem-solving that would never have been violent protests and a rise in crime, and was “very interested” to watch how the imagined 20 years ago.” wildfires in the western U.S. COVID-19 pandemic and its response Walker said he’s most concerned about Retired CHDS Executive Leaders Program “evolved,” arguing that the nation’s the current political climate, in which he director Ellen Gordon, who took over homeland security preparedness efforts said, “honest political debate has given way the program at its inception in 2004, said “didn’t manifest” during the pandemic. to vitriol” and that in turn has given way to classroom discussions have begun to make a While acknowledging she hasn’t been “violence as extreme polarization threatens dramatic shift the past half a dozen years or directly involved with homeland security for our very democracy.” so in comparison to when she began. a few years now, she said from her “outside” “Some say Americans, today, are too In place of a focus on international perspective it seems the nation “learned divided to come together and combat terrorism, she said, domestic issues such the lesson (about the need for a focus on common foes,” he said. “If that is true, we as policing, and even mental health, have planning and prevention after 9/11), and could face catastrophes far more serious than emerged as discussion points. then we forget and have to learn again.” 9/11. This actually represents a threat far more “I watched the whole trend happen (at O’Connor remembered the nation was dangerous than what we faced after 9/11.” CHDS),” Gordon said. “CHDS has remained united for a “short time” after 9/11 but has However, Walker said he remains flexible over the years to respond to since become a “more fragile and fearful” optimistic about America’s future and urged emerging trends. There are no cookie-cutter nation that has changed significantly in unity instead of division. programs. Sometimes they can change the past two decades. While the U.S. has “So,” he said, “as we reflect on the meaning in the middle of a program to address increased its capability to respond to the of 9/11, let us rededicate our great nation to emerging issues.” threats, there are also “1,000 more out there.” what unites us, not what divides us.” n WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 31 The utility infrastructure between the Administrative tent and Green B tent. This was an access point for generator refuel and supply delivery to the Admin tent which, in turn, distributed to all Red, Yellow, and Green tents. SOMETHING SPECIAL Creating and Implementing a Safe Alternate Care Site for Las Vegas’s Homeless Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic By Cynthia Holmes | MA1801/1802

n mid-March 2020, when COVID-19 13,800 people who experience homelessness CRAIG COOPER was beginning to make its presence on any given day in southern Nevada an Battalion Chief of felt, the City of Las Vegas and Clark option to isolate and quarantine to help stop Special Operations, ICounty officials began discussing strategies the spread of COVID-19. They determined Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for how they might care for the over 13,800 a dedicated ACS for homeless individuals MA1905/1906 people in southern Nevada who experience was the best option. homelessness on a daily basis. In the In Las Vegas Valley there is a “Corridor United States, approximately half a million of Hope” where the majority of homeless people face homelessness on any given day. services are offered. Clark County and Las Often, those experiencing homelessness are Vegas took advantage of this concentration The City of Las Vegas and Clark County’s older, suffer a higher percentage of health of services to locate their Alternate solution? Open an Alternate Care Site (ACS) issues, and find temporary residences in Care Site, known as their Isolation and dedicated to serving homeless COVID-19 close-quarters shelters. These factors put Quarantine Campus (ISO-Q) nearby. positive and exposed individuals. homeless populations at higher risk for The ISO-Q functioned as a “pre-hospital COVID-19 infections. acute observation site operating under an ICS ISO-Q ACS – The 'What', Several members taking part in the structure with limited, but specific, medical The 'Where', and The 'Who' discussions in Nevada had been to New resources and capabilities” in addition to An Alternate Care Site (ACS) is created to York City where they saw overwhelmed some social and behavioral health services help healthcare systems provide medical care hospitals first-hand. In April 2020, testing at a (ISO-Q Playbook). It had a maximum 500- for sick or injured patients in non-traditional homeless shelter in Boston, MA showed 46.3 bed capacity and operated 24/7 to provide environments, such as converted schools and cases per 1,000 persons compared to 1.9 cases homeless individuals an option to isolate or stadiums or mobile field hospitals. per 1,000 persons in Massachusetts adults quarantine in a safe environment. Many places around the nation were over the same period. This disproportionately Admission to the ISO-Q facility came leaning forward and looking to stand up high rate of COVID-19 in people from medical referrals and used strict ACSs during the COVID-19 pandemic. experiencing homelessness seen in Boston inclusion and exclusion criteria determined Officials in Las Vegas and Clark County, NV reinforced the Las Vegas, NV planners' desire during the planning stages by the Medical recognized a need to provide the more than to protect the stakeholders of their state. Director. Those seeking admission had to be: 32 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Admin desk inside of Red tent. Red tents were dedicated to COVID-19 Administrative tent where patients were admitted into the ISO-Q facility Final walk-through of Green/Yellow layout checking for proper spacing of confirmed patients presenting with symptoms. and screened for Isolation/Quarantine. To the right are the restrooms cots, entertainment options for the patients, decontamination procedures, and showers (ADA accessible) for the patients. Each tent was scheduled and review of scheduled time to rotate individuals outside from tent to • 18 years of age or older, and rotated through showers in coordination so they could be cleaned in tent for restroom, showers, and fresh air. between use to avoid potential exposure. • be transferred to the ISO-Q from a shelter, in-patient setting, or hospital emergency department (ED), • not on intravenous (IV) therapy or medications, • not in need of radiology, laboratory, or physical therapy, as those services were not available at the ISO-Q site. Testing event preparation in the “Corridor of Hope”. One of the many The tent on the left (Staff) was used for training and daily staff COVID-19 events that contributed to the 900 plus PCR tests conducted in the screening and check-in. The tent on the right was the Logistics tent used as In addition to the inclusion criteria, homeless community of Las Vegas. a supply warehouse to support the ISO-Q complex. exclusion criteria included anyone who had: • disruptive behavioral health issues The cost for constructing and running during the response cannot be a one-time, (suicidal, homicidal, or violent), this temporary ACS dedicated to the temporary thing. Instead, there needs to • severe alcohol dependence, indicating homeless population was just shy of $8.5 be “long-term and sustainable programs” likely acute alcohol withdrawal which million dollars, with an additional nearly because while the ISO-Q facility for might be life-threatening, or $600,000 in donations. homeless individuals was a success and is • acute care requirements. “considered a community achievement, the ISO-Q ACS – The 'What Happens Next?' goal should be not needing one”. ISO-Q ACS – The 'What Happened?' CHDS alumnus (1905) Craig Cooper, In less than two weeks, command staff Battalion Chief of Special Operations for The Take-Away for Your Jurisdiction worked with others setting up the ISO-Q Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, worked as Incident from a CHDS Alum: multi-tent facility, opening the campus Commander at the ISO-Q facility. He also • Start Now: build relationships with on April 13, 2020. The 500-bed facility served as Project Lead on the creation of agencies, non-profits, faith-based provided safe, acute observation and pre- the ISO-Q Playbook, a nearly 400-page plan groups, and others who work with hospital care for 245 people during its use. documenting what Las Vegas and Clark homeless and at-risk populations. The ISO-Q facility operated through the County, NV did to help ‘flatten the curve’ of • Train: anyone who might have a role in spring and early summer, demobilizing on COVID-19 in their homeless population. a response on the basics of the Incident July 1, 2020, and terminating command on In a recent interview, Chief Cooper Command System (ICS). July 17, 2020. In just over three months, shared some of the lessons learned while the • Location, location, location: perform site the temporary facility provided 2,200 ISO-Q campus was activated and how he surveys for potential field hospital ACSs: individual nights of shelter for area people hopes those lessons will continue. o Test water to ensure it is potable. suffering homelessness and over 900 PCR “I think everyone who worked on this o Create a security plan to account for tests were administered. project realizes that this was something internal and external safety. During its operation, the safety special” Chief Cooper said. “We all worked o Create a traffic plan to accommodate framework put in place at the outset closely with the Health District, and are deliveries and medical vehicles. “yielded zero reported COVID-19 cross- building on that. We created this Playbook o Plan for weather, including high contamination cases of staff working at the for other jurisdictions to use. We included winds, if using temporary structures. ISO-Q facility.” not just what we did, but the reference • Include IT from the beginning and Perhaps even more remarkable, more materials we pulled from, so others could embed them in the campus. than 80% of the individuals isolated or see the sources we used. “We don’t want this quarantined at the ISO-Q facility received to just be a plan on a shelf.” • Create medical criteria for residents. follow-up housing and continuing services, Chief Cooper writes in the Playbook’s • Plan for medical staffing needs when resulting in long-term support strategies for conclusion that the money spent on the medical staff might be in short supply.n a vulnerable population. ISO-Q facility and the commitment seen WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 33 CHDS ALUMNI WIN HOMELAND SECURITY AWARD BY PATRICK KUHL

wo Center for Homeland Defense BATTALION CHIEF poked, and prodded us through the research and Security alumni were among DERRICK PHILLIPS and thesis writing process.” the annual Homeland Security St. Louis Fire Department The initial idea for Phillips’ thesis TAwards honorees announced recently by the MA1903/1904 spawned from his many experiences as a Government Technology & Services Coalition’s participant in multi-agency exercises. He publication Homeland Security Today. has filled a wide variety of roles for many CHDS Master’s Degree Program graduate full-scale exercises in St. Louis over the past Derrick Phillips, Battalion Chief at St. Louis JEANNE BENINCASA decade. While most of the exercises were Fire Department, received the Mission THORPE successful, it was the few mission failures Undersecretary of Homeland Award, while CHDS Executive Leaders Security and Governor’s that prompted the quest for solutions. Program alumna Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe Homeland Security Advisor at “During the exercises, it seemed as if law received the Coronavirus Mission Award. the Massachusetts Executive enforcement was always several steps ahead Office of Public Safety Thorpe is the Undersecretary of and Security of us in planning and decision-making, Homeland Security and Governor’s ELP1602 inclusive of using the incident command Homeland Security Advisor at the system,” Phillips said. “The last part was Massachusetts Executive Office of Public particularly troubling since the fire service develop a comprehensive list of intelligence Safety and Security (EOPSS). tends to be slightly better at using ICS. requirements that ensure fire departments Each year, Homeland Security Today Nonetheless, I discovered in after-action receive timely and specific intel regarding honors members of the community who are reviews that there was an intelligence strategies, operational coordination, and making critical contributions to advance the component to the exercises, which only law tactical decision-making. mission of homeland security and protect the enforcement personnel attended a day prior. nation from security threats. Unfortunately, none of the intelligence they With the unprecedented threat of “My time at CHDS was the most gathered was shared with their fire service COVID-19 affecting every facet of homeland rewarding learning experience counterparts, even as we were working to security, Homeland Security Today identified stabilize the same incident. From that point Mission Award winners whose work had a of my lifetime, and my newly forward, I made it my mission to ensure our significant result on our collective response discovered knowledge played a department had access to intelligence starting to the pandemic. pivotal role in the receipt of my with local PD contacts and extending to the While they may work in different fields placement of one of my officers in the St. of homeland security, both alumni cited Homeland Security Mission Award.” Louis Fusion Center. Thanks to the work of CHDS as a key factor in their actions and — DERRICK PHILLIPS other CHDS alumni, the fire service secured response to the COVID-19 pandemic access to intelligence and serve in more during the last year. pivotal roles in the intelligence community.” The results will be incorporated into “The COVID-19 pandemic struck in the However, he cautions there are still issues the updated Joint Counterterrorism middle of my master’s program at CHDS. with understanding how to use and protect Assessment Team (JCAT) Intelligence Not only did we have to pivot from the finished intelligence, and how to access Guide for First Responders and will classroom to virtual learning, but we also timely, relevant information. become a valuable asset to fire service had to immediately put into practice the “My thesis built on their foundation to locations across the nation. theories and concepts we were learning to ensure intelligence is useful to the fire service, “I learned about the principle of joint understand and manage such an important while at the same time highlighting the intelligence from professors Dr. Erik Dahl issue,” Phillips said. “My time at CHDS was benefits of joint intelligence processes between and Captain Robert Simeral in our course the most rewarding learning experience law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical on Intelligence Challenges,” Phillips said. of my lifetime, and my newly discovered service agencies,” he said. “The two went on to serve as my thesis knowledge played a pivotal role in the receipt The thesis process is just one component advisors and opened my eyes to a broader of my Homeland Security Mission Award.” of the overall CHDS Master’s Degree view on how the fire service can leverage Battalion Chief Phillips completed Program experience. The subject matter and intelligence to inform decision-making in the CHDS Master’s Degree Program in genuine exchanges with counterparts from all levels of a fire service organization. Dr. December 2020 (cohort 1903/1904) and his other fields of emergency management, law Carolyn Halladay, Dr. Lauren Wollman, thesis was entitled “Fire Service Intelligence: enforcement, fire service, homeland security, Greta Marlatt, and Marianne Taflinger also Informed Strategies, Operations, and Tactics.” local and state government, military, and played an important role as they pushed, His thesis research was leveraged to public health provides unique insight. 34 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Thorpe (on left) with fellow Bread of Life board member Phillips completed the Fire Services Chief Executive Officer Phillips with Former President Barack Obama. Kathleen McKenna at a fundraiser event in 2018. program at Texas A&M University in 2018.

For instance, in the Intro to Homeland the Internet, Society, and Cyberconflict Thorpe credits CHDS with playing a role Security course, Phillips completed a courses taught us about disinformation in attaining her position at EOPSS, short research assignment on the anti- campaigns and political discourse through “I strongly believe that participating in the vaccination movement. various media, all of which weighed heavily ELP provided me the training in leadership “The knowledge I gained from on how people viewed and responded to and knowledge of international and domestic the exercise was how to develop an the pandemic. The lessons I learned in homeland security issues needed for this understanding of their fears, while both courses allowed me to easily identify position,” she said. simultaneously working with our health disinformation regarding coronavirus During the initial outbreak of COVID-19, department in developing a plan to ensure and develop plans to counter them Thorpe quickly established a statewide the masses would buy into the COVID locally through our departmental public testing site for first responders to ensure vaccination program,” he said. information officer. Clearly, CHDS is at the accurate and timely testing. The testing site Phillips credited the Master’s program as forefront of homeland security education, provided appointment-free drive-through a major influence on the way his department and the lessons can easily be adapted to tests for more than 8,000 first responders to responded to the coronavirus pandemic. manage real-world homeland defense and ensure public safety personnel could remain “In Critical Infrastructure Protection, security challenges.” on active duty during uncertain times. Professor Mackin shifted slightly in the The site was secured in partnership with curriculum to ensure we understood how Gillette Stadium and with the support of the transmissivity worked by highlighting the “The diversity of my cohort provided Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, SIR model,” he said. a lens to view issues from different National Guard, Massachusetts State Police, The SIR model is an epidemiological perspectives. The lessons I learned Foxboro Fire Department, and Quest model that computes the theoretical number Diagnostic Labs. of people infected with a contagious illness in 2016-2017 truly helped inform Thorpe’s ELP cohort (1602) included in a closed population over time. The models the way I approached the complex fire chiefs, police chiefs, military leaders, involved equations relating the number of DHS officials, public health experts, and susceptible people (S), number of people problems related to COVID-19 this emergency management directors from state infected (I), and number of people who have past year.” and county regions. recovered (R). — JEANNE BENINCASA THORPE “The diversity of my cohort provided “The model allowed me to explain the a lens to view issues from different transmission process to other departmental perspectives,” she said. “The lessons I learned and city leaders so they could better ELP alumna Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe in 2016-2017 truly helped inform the way I judge the potential impact,” Phillips oversees the Massachusetts Fusion Center, approached the complex problems related to explained. “Additionally, he provided us National Guard, Emergency Management COVID-19 this past year.” with a calculator that we could use by Agency, Fire Administration, and Office of The collaborative nature of ELP continues simply plugging local numbers into the Grants and Research Homeland Security to resonate as Thorpe leads the COVID-19 spreadsheet. The associated graph was very Division. She serves as key policy and response by coordinating public safety impactful when discussing the implications executive decision advisor to the Secretary agencies and non-medical PPE distribution, of COVID in our jurisdiction, and the need of Public Safety and the Homeland developing strategic testing plans for first to socially distance and wear masks to limit Security Advisor to the Governor. She’s responders and essential workers, and vectors of exposure. also responsible for coordination with establishing a mobile testing program for the “Furthermore, the Multi-Discipline federal agencies, regional tasks forces, local Department of Corrections. n Approaches to Homeland Security and governments, and the private sector.

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 35 WE NEED The CHDS classroom refreshed and upgraded for a more technologically advanced instructional experience. YOUR STORY! CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE BY ANDREA PAGE

hifting to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic provided an ideal opportunity for the Center for Let us know how SHomeland Defense and Security (CHDS) you are using your to create a Classroom of the Future on CHDS experience the Naval Postgraduate School campus. in the real world. Improvements included physical renovations to the classroom environment, installation We learn from of furniture designed to improve student the strategies and functionality, and technology upgrades policies you are to expand instructional opportunities for implementing. CHDS students and instructors. These The CHDS Conference Room features an updated space for executive upgrades created a classroom uniquely meetings, student group collaborations, and guest speaker preparation. suited for hybrid learning, a functionality IT’S EASY! that has emerged as essential to institutions and wireless controls give a speaker freedom of higher education during the pandemic. to move about the classroom while four The CHDS classroom now features video cameras automatically track the speaker Please send your story and audio technology creating an immersive for remote participants. New mobile desks to Heather Issvoran experience for both in-person and remote simplify classroom reconfiguration, and at [email protected] participants, and ensures that remote power stations on each desk provide charging participants experience the same high quality for electronic devices. instruction and interaction as students within Finally, upgrades to the HVAC system the classroom. Six large monitors within the delivers greater comfort for students and What makes classroom and an additional nine screens in instructors. As a bonus, these upgrades us unique is adjoining meeting spaces are configured for resulted in an air circulation change rate far how you network wireless projection of instructional materials exceeding classroom and building standards, and collaborate. and media, which can be controlled by the which reduces the potential for airborne Send us your instructor or students simultaneously. Three disease transmission to less than 3 percent in testimonials, touchscreen panels allow the instructor a full classroom. CHDS prides itself on leading change in a promotions to control and shift displays throughout the classroom. Touchscreen panels at the dynamic educational environment, and these and examples. classroom entrances also allow students to latest changes exemplify efforts to provide view the daily and weekly agenda and other the highest quality education to homeland relevant information on the CHDS website. security leaders. CHDS looks forward to Replacement of stationary features in the welcoming back students and instructors to classroom with streamlined mobile features our upgraded facilities this summer. n 36 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 MIS/DISINFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS 2021 EEP LECTURE AND WEBINAR SERIES BY JIM JOHNSON

n an “age of information,” the job of • “Frameworks for Governing: 2021 and DAWN WILSON cutting through misinformation and DIRECTOR, Beyond,” a two-part webinar series that disinformation to get critical messages Executive Education Program included legal and public policy experts Ito the public can be challenging. www.chds.us/eep discussing how government roles, This year’s Center for Homeland responsibilities, and authorities have evolved Defense and Security Executive Education in recent years, and what homeland security Program’s (EEP) Lecture and Webinar professionals might anticipate next with a Series includes a multi-part series aimed new presidential administration, Congress, at finding ways for homeland security and and U.S. Supreme Court majority, and what emergency management practitioners to the major events of 2020 could mean for cut through the noise of disinformation, and Mass Communication News/Co local, state, and federal government. hoaxes, and conspiracy theories, and build Lab managing director; Renee DiResta, The first broadcast was held on March trust with the public in order to effectively Stanford Internet Observatory technical 31 and was entitled “Whose Pandemic Is communicate information in a way that research manager; Dr. Joan Donovan, It Anyway? Response to the Next Health allows communities to act accordingly Harvard University Shorenstein Center on Crisis,” while the second was held on April 14 with confidence. Media, Politics and Public Policy research and was entitled “Blurred Lines: Civil Protest, Kicking off on Jan. 29 with “Building director; and, Dr. Danny Rogers, Global Uncivil Unrest and Government Response.” Trust in the Disinformation Age,” and Disinformation Index co-founder and chief Both featured the same panel of experts, continuing on May 13 with “Disrupting technology officer. including University of California Berkeley Disinformation,” the series is set to continue Wilson moderated the January broadcast Sho Sato Professor of Law Dan Farber, the through this spring and summer. while CHDS legal and communications author of “Disaster Law and Policy,” and EEP Associate Director Dawn Wilson subject matter expert Eileen O’Connor University of California Berkeley Emmanuel noted the series brings together the nation’s moderated the May broadcast. S. Heller Professor of Law and director of the leading experts on misinformation and Other lecture and webinar series Public Law and Policy Program John Yoo. disinformation, including globally renowned broadcast over the past seven months The webinar series was moderated by experts who are frequently featured in included: Los Angeles Police Commission president mainstream media broadcast coverage. and CHDS alumna Eileen Decker • “Housing and Shelter During a Wilson said the mis/disinformation (Master’s Program graduate 2014), the Pandemic: Continuing the Conversation,” series has been the most popular topic to former deputy mayor for Los Angeles on Jan. 27, which served as a follow-up date, averaging about 750 live viewers and and former U.S. Attorney for the Central to a webinar series in October last year thousands of additional recording views District of California. examining the challenges of managing following the live broadcasts. congregate populations during and after As the series continues, Wilson said it • “What Comes Next? Virus Variants, the COVID-19 pandemic and included will feature supplemental interviews with Vaccine Next Steps, and Preventing Future guest interviews with several subject experts and short lecture modules to provide Pandemics” held on April 29 with a panel that matter experts to address questions posed practitioners with more ideas on how to included White House COVID-19 Response by broadcast viewers. address misinformation and disinformation. Team supply coordinator Tim Manning Among the featured experts at the (CHDS HSx lead instructor, University and January and May broadcasts were: Julie Agency Partnership Program participant, Parker, CHDS communications subject MISINFORMATION ELP alum) and Biden Administration matter expert, and former International COVID-19 advisory board member Dr. Rick Association of Chiefs of Police senior Bright, who also works as The Rockefeller adviser for media, who was brought in by Foundation’s Pandemic Prevention and Capitol Police to handle communications Response senior vice president. O’Connor n and deal with mis/disinformation after DISINFORMATION moderated the broadcast. the Jan. 6 Capitol riot; Dr. Swapna Reddy, Arizona State University College of Health MORE EEP Solutions clinical assistant professor; Dr. Kristy Roschke, Arizona State University FOR MORE ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE EDUCATION Walter Cronkite School of Journalism PROGRAM VISIT CHDS.US/EEP

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 37 RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM DEALS WITH COVID-19, LOOKS TO FUTURE BY JIM JOHNSON

or the first time in program history, of nationally recognized experts from a the Center for Homeland Defense and STAN MCKINNEY variety of fields who work with requesting LEAD INSTRUCTOR Security’s Radiological Emergency Radiological Emergency agencies and organizations to customize FPreparedness Executive Education Program Preparedness Executive educational content and format to meet has two cohorts operating simultaneously Education Program the agency needs and objectives, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic even as www.chds.us/rep the seminars are flexible in duration from a program leaders anticipate major changes in few hours to multi-day sessions. the nuclear power industry that will affect Starting this year, the REP program is the program’s approach. now also offering an in-residence Early According to CHDS REP lead instructor critical thinking, and develop a better Career Education Program modeled after Stan McKinney, the program currently has understanding of their mission. the successful CHDS Emergence Program. two cohorts – 2001 and 2101 – at the mid- The program employs curriculum The Early Career REP provides a unique point of instruction conducted in virtual and content that includes guest speakers, opportunity for professionals in the early sessions due to the pandemic. The plan interactive discussions, and case studies to stage of their career to explore emerging is to conduct in-residence sessions for examine security issues. trends in emergency and radiological both cohorts at CHDS in Monterey, CA this preparedness and receive assistance in summer if pandemic conditions allow. REP lead instructor Stan McKinney emerging strategies for implementing Initiated in 2012, the REP program has noted that the nuclear power industry innovative ideas, leadership development, used the CHDS Executive Leaders Program and contributing in a broader sense to model to deliver high-level instruction is changing with the decommissioning the radiological emergency preparedness to local, state (Offices of Emergency of nuclear power plants and the community. Services), and federal (Federal Emergency deployment of advanced nuclear In addition to the delayed REP Executive Management Agency, Nuclear Regulatory reactors, a process expected to last Education cohorts, McKinney noted that Commission, and Environmental the field-delivered seminars were postponed Protection Agency) professionals who over the next several decades, and the due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he collaborate during an incident involving REP program will need to adjust to that hopes they will resume soon. nuclear power plants that could result changing reality. Meanwhile, McKinney noted that the in a radiological release, including the nuclear power industry is changing with the tools and resources they need to think Sponsored by the Federal Emergency decommissioning of nuclear power plants and strategically, enhance their Management Agency’s Technological the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, Hazards Division, the REP program typically a process expected to last over the next several delivers two REP Executive Education decades, and the REP program will need to offerings that include an in-residence adjust to that changing reality. program at the CHDS campus at NPS and REP in-residence sessions and field- field-delivered seminars in nuclear power delivered seminars are conducted in a highly plant communities around the nation. interactive setting that includes professional The in-residence program is tailored networking in a multi-jurisdictional to accommodate the busy schedules of and multi-discipline environment. participating executives and does not Participants engage in evaluating and require the workload of traditional addressing critical issues, discussions centered graduate-level educational programs. around strategic and crisis communications The field-delivered seminars are as well as changes in the REP program conducted by CHDS teams comprised environment and evolving threats, and activities, case studies, and scenario planning establishing a predicate for class and small- group discussions community. n

38 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 PACIFIC EXECUTIVE LEADERS PROGRAM LOOKS AHEAD TO FIRST IN-PERSON SESSION AFTER COVID-19 BY JIM JOHNSON

fter shifting gears on the fly due to It's not uncommon for PELP alumni to DAVID FUKUTOMI the COVID-19 pandemic last year, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR begin describing the experience using the Center for Homeland Defense Executive Education Program examples based on discussions had during Aand Security’s Pacific Executive Leaders www.chds.us/pelp breaks and social and group activities based Program is poised for its first in-person on the topics discussed.” sessions later this year or in early 2022. Last year, already facing what Fukutomi PELP lead instructor David Fukutomi calls the “tyranny of distance and time zones,” said he is “cautiously optimistic” the the program had just finished up its last in- next in-person one-week session at the person sessions – including a topic-specific University of Hawaii campus in Hilo can be session on post-disaster housing in January held in late 2021 or early next year, though The program also offers “mini-PELP” 2020, and a Hilo campus session the first he also noted that Hawaii has just begun sessions in support of key FEMA and week of March 2020 – when the pandemic- opening back up after the pandemic-related jurisdiction priorities in the Pacific region. related shutdown went into effect. shutdown and planning for the sessions Ideal candidates for the program are Fukutomi said the developing threat of requires a long lead time due to limits on located in the Pacific or have significant COVID-19 was already known and was being conference space and traveler services such responsibilities in the nation’s Pacific monitored by the program’s speakers and as rental cars. jurisdictions, and instruction includes both delivery team so the decision was made to add Fukutomi said an application deadline presentations and discussions involving a “pandemic perspective” to each program for the next in-person session has not yet faculty, subject matter experts, and participants subject and help participants “understand the been set and won’t be until the dates are on a range of topics from policy, strategy, and context in a pandemic environment.” established, adding that those who applied organization to critical infrastructure and The pandemic also forced a quick shift for the March 2021 in-person course will threat and hazard identification. to virtual versions of previously planned not have to re-apply to be considered. “We bring the best of CHDS forward in-person sessions, Fukutomi said, He said there is already “great interest” to leaders in the Pacific,” Fukutomi said. including the program’s speaker series – in the upcoming PELP in-person session, “PELP is a unique opportunity for leaders which featured CHDS executive director which will come in the wake of the across the Pacific to have an educational Glen Woodbury and CHDS alum and pandemic that changed the way the program experience and an opportunity to emergency management consultant James was delivered over the past year or so. collaborate in a more casual Featherstone in March, as well as the Created in 2011, the PELP is a partnership setting than traditional training program’s alumni session and a series between CHDS and the Federal Emergency environments allow for. PELP of workshops for FEMA Region IX for Management Agency Region IX and conducts is experienced-based. It's not the Pacific jurisdictions. a variety of offerings in collaboration with designed like traditional While the program will the federal agency, ensuring that “content is training opportunities where offer both in-person and relevant and resources leveraged to support there are read-aheads virtual sessions in the resiliency and capacity building in the Pacific,” or prerequisites. future, Fukutomi said he Fukutomi said. Participants are believes the interaction The program traditionally provides two asked to bring offered by in-person types of offerings each year, including a there are personal instruction is invaluable. topic-specific session focused on a priority experiences to the “Networking and homeland security or emergency management session and share in relationship-building (during challenge in Pacific jurisdictions, and a the learning by offering in-person sessions) is very leadership and collaboration building session their perspectives with important,” Fukutomi said, at the Hilo campus. their classmates. PELP adding that activity-based Past topical sessions have focused on is interactive, encourages instruction can’t be replicated port restoration and resilience, power engagement by every during virtual sessions. “You system restoration and resilience, and post- participant, and it is very can’t replace that inter- disaster housing. much a hands-on experience. personal dynamic.” n

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 39 Lier Chen, Immigration Services Officer at DHS-USCIS

Eric Saylors, Battalion Chief at the Sacramento Fire Department Heather Issvoran and James Marsh behind the scenes of the hybrid broadcast APEX GOES VIRTUAL TO DISCUSS NEW IDEAS IN HOMELAND SECURITY BY PATRICK KUHL

hifting to a hybrid delivery format due of the innovative solutions that are born the presenter to quickly and concisely share to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the from collaboration within the Center.” their ideas with a wide audience. Center for Homeland Defense and Some of the hybrid elements from There were about 300 attendees at the event SSecurity (CHDS) hosted the 17th annual this year's virtual APEX event will be from 38 different states, representing over 200 Alumni Professional Exchange–Continuing incorporated into future APEX workshops agencies in the homeland security enterprise. Education Workshop (APEX) virtually from to allow alumni to participate both in- Before the speakers took to the virtual Feb. 16-18. person and remotely. stage each day, Woodbury and CHDS Traditionally held at the Naval Developed at last year’s APEX event, the Strategic Communications Director Heather Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, the concept of Alumni Short Talks was integrated Issvoran offered welcoming remarks while annual APEX event provides CHDS alumni into this year’s virtual event due to the setting the stage for one of the most unique an opportunity to explore critical homeland positive feedback it generated. Similar to a and impactful APEX conferences to date. security issues from different perspectives Ted Talk format, each of the Alumni Short The event’s first presentation was and share information across local, state, Talks focused on a novel idea, perspective, conducted by Chad Houck, Chief Deputy federal, tribal, territorial, and private sectors. or approach to homeland security within a Idaho Secretary of State from Boise, who For this year’s event, CHDS staff established 20-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A is currently enrolled in the CHDS Master’s a base of operations at NPS complete with session with the audience. Degree Program (MA 2001/2002) and is a stage and broadcast live presentations to The first two days of the event included scheduled to graduate in September 2021. participants attending via Zoom. six Alumni Short Talks on topics ranging Houck briefed the group on election CHDS Director Glen Woodbury from public health to disinformation security in his Alumni Short Talk titled pointed out, “The majority of speakers campaigns to law enforcement approaches “Military Lessons: Real-Time Situational were presenting remotely through the at mass gatherings. Intelligence for Election Administrators.” Zoom platform, which is basically the CHDS also introduced a new In his sixth year at the Idaho Secretary of modus operandi these days, but the hybrid presentation format called Pecha Kuchas State’s Office, Houck currently oversees component added a new twist that made on Day 3 of the event. The emerging format the Elections, IT, and Corporate Divisions, this year’s APEX unique. It’s also a reflection uses 20 slides for 20 seconds each and allows and has served on the Idaho Governor’s

40 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 Cybersecurity Task Force. During his presentation, Saylors To illustrate the parallels between presented evidence that rescue strike election security and a military operating teams are more effective when speed is the environment, Houck described a series of ultimate goal and emphasized the need to APEX ALUMNI PROFESSIONAL events involving an actual response to a cyber get into the threat zone and get victims out EXCHANGE CHDS threat during the U.S. Presidential election in of harm’s way quickly. November. In his presentation, he discussed “It’s never going to be 100% secure or safe some of the challenges that emerged during but we can reduce the potential for risk and the cyber threat with plans to improve provide assistance to victims faster,” he said. security in the future by implementing Day 2 of the event included more Alumni lessons learned from the November incident Short Talks covering topics from civil unrest and a multi-agency exercise. to misinformation campaigns. “Get the lines of communication open Departing CHDS Association President early and really engage your stakeholders Chris Pope delivered a message to event because when you share what you do and attendees and thanked the alumni for their what you’re facing, those counterparts may support and numerous contributions over have ideas or resources to help solve these the years. problems,” Houck said. Pope’s successor is Debra Kirby, who In the next Alumni Short Talk, Katelin will take the helm as President of the CHDS Wright tackled the topic of climate Association. Kirby graduated from the migration in “An Uncertain Threat: Climate CHDS Master’s Degree Program in 2011 SAVE THE DATE! Migration to the United States.” (MA 1001/1002) and is Operations Leader A Senior Immigration Services Officer at Hillard Heintze. ALUMNI at the Department of Homeland Security “For everybody attending APEX, the (DHS) U.S. Citizenship & Immigration issues we discuss here are the issues of PROFESSIONAL Services (USCIS) in Albuquerque, NM, our time and the ability to tap into the EXCHANGE Wright is an alumna of the CHDS Master’s knowledge, capacity, and awareness of Degree Program (MA 1901/1902). She this group is even more critical now completed the program in 2020. than it was in the past,” Kirby said. “So, I FEBRUARY 15-17, 2022 Wright introduced the climate look forward to making sure this board migration topic, defined as groups of and association are supporting you and MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA people forced to move due to the effects helping you thrive collectively.” of climate-driven events, such as sea-level Each Alumni Short Talk included 15 COVID-19 GRADUATION rise, extreme weather events, and drought minutes of discussion facilitated by David FEBRUARY 18, 2022 and water scarcity. O’Keeffe, CHDS Senior Consultant. “Like many other agencies, DHS needs to Cynthia Renaud, President of the account for climate change when developing International Association of Chiefs of ALUMNI CONTINUING future policies,” she said. “The Department Police (IACP), kicked off day two with of Defense has already made plans and an insightful presentation entitled, EDUCATION WORKSHOP they’re ahead of the curve.” “Rethinking Law Enforcement Response to REGISTER AT The finalAlumni Short Talk of Day 1 was Mass Gatherings & Civil Unrest.” Renaud www.chds.us/c/apex conducted by CHDS master’s graduate Eric graduated from the CHDS Master’s Degree Saylors (MA 1403/1404), who is a Battalion Program in 2010 (MA 0901/0902). Chief at the Sacramento Fire Department in She challenged participants to consider Northern California. how the nature of mass gatherings has evolved Saylors was able to drive to Monterey to over the years as potential crises become deliver his presentation from the live stage more complex, and identified some of the at NPS and served as a guinea pig for the traditional methods for responding to mass novel hybrid approach. His presentation protests and the challenges they present. entitled, “Rescue Strike Team, an Alternative “Sometimes these old tools need to be to Rescue Task Force,” focused on multi- re-evaluated over time,” Renaud suggested. agency response to active shooter events. “Perhaps the best new tool we have to

APEX 2021 • ALUMNI SHORT TALKS TO VIEW OUR SHORT TALKS VIDEOS AND OTHER MATERIALS www.chds.us/ed/alumni-short-talks

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 41 APEX continues address these new modern crises is our ability to think critically. As we learn more through experience, those lessons need to be integrated into future strategies.” In “Hearing Muted Voices: Using Radical Subjectivity to Address Homeland Security Issues,” Lier Chen leveraged her experience to inform the group about a gap in the process that determines immigration policies. Chen is an Immigration Services Officer at DHS-USCIS in Newark, NJ, and a recent graduate of the CHDS Master’s Degree Program (MA 1903/1904). Chen started her thesis because she discovered risks in relying solely on quantitative information to make homeland Panel discussion after the Pecha Kuchas on Day 3. security decisions, noting that lived experience shouldn’t be ignored or excluded from the decision-making process. “We must look beyond datasets and charts to understand the issues from multiple perspectives; we must use radical subjectivity,” she explained. “It can serve as a qualitative baseline for how we approach and solve a problem.” Cynthia Renaud, President, International Association of Chiefs of Police. John Gordon, Team Leader, Intelligence Research Specialist Global Trends and Developments Team, NYPD Intelligence Bureau. NYPD official John Gordon shared his insight into the dangers of misinformation have been more timely. We found Cynthia In her presentation entitled, “Creating a in an Alumni Short Talk entitled, “No and John’s presentations very relevant to Personal Brand Strategy,” Issvoran shared tips Crisis Left to Waste: Exploring Convergent key senior leadership priorities at DHS on developing a brand and how participants Themes in Extremist Propaganda.” Gordon headquarters, so much so that we’re doing can implement similar techniques within their is the Team Leader, Global Trends and some direct follow-up with them.” own personal career or within their agency. Developments, Intelligence Bureau at the Ackleson is Principal Director of Law “The reason why we have APEX is to bring New York City Police Department. He Enforcement Policy for the DHS Office of the research that people are doing out into the graduated in 2016 (MA 1501/1502). Strategy, Policy, and Plans. open, so you can learn from their experiences Gordon highlighted past examples After a brief introduction to the and emulate what they’re doing,” she said. of extremist actions that were fueled by Pecha Kucha presentation style and a At the end of Day 3, Director Woodbury propaganda. description of the objectives, presenters took to the stage once again to deliver the “We face threats from many different crises delved into critical topics like COVID-19, APEX closing remarks. like the pandemic, civil unrest, economic National Guard deployments, and Russian “APEX always provides content that’s recession, and political polarization,” he disinformation efforts. relevant to the diverse missions our alumni noted. “While each of these crises is distinct in One of the Pecha Kuchas utilized serve and this may have been the most unique ways, they share one common factor, the format to introduce a new Special unique one yet,” Woodbury said. “Not their continuous exploitation by extremists COVID-19 Issue of Homeland Security just because we transitioned to a hybrid across a wide range of ideologies.” Affairs Journal (HSAJ). CHDS Instructor delivery format, it’s because when you Gordon argued that these multi-pronged Lauren Fernandez, D.Sc, and Stephen look at this year’s topics and speakers, the crises have created an environment where the Twing, Ph.D., Managing Editor of HSAJ, collaboration between local, state, federal, general public is more susceptible to extremist explained the purpose of the special tribal, territorial, and private sector leaders propaganda, and that is why it’s imperative COVID-19 edition, which features 11 essays is undeniable.” to maintain situational awareness in a crisis that chronicle agency and jurisdictional Woodbury also provided an update on environment by sharing information across responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. the future of CHDS programs and fielded agencies when encountering threats from The final presentation was delivered by questions from attendees, which led to some open social media sources. Issvoran, who interacts with nearly every great ideas in an exchange that was symbolic Emblematic of the collaborative CHDS CHDS program participant, faculty, and staff of the Center’s commitment to providing network, Executive Leaders Program member and has a significant effect on the homeland security leaders with a trusted alumnus Jason Ackleson, Ph.D. (ELP 1901) way CHDS is represented. place to learn and share information. n noted, “These APEX sessions could not

42 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 PRACADEMIC AFFAIRS DELIVERS INAUGURAL ISSUE BY JIM JOHNSON ooking to provide emergency for their fellow practitioners in the field.” the pracademic’s role in making our management and homeland security Last summer, Twing said the committee communities safer.” practitioners with a “welcoming was approached by a group that included Among the articles included in the Lplatform” to explore, examine, analyze and CHDS UAPP director Steve Recca, inaugural issue of Pracademic Affairs: write about “real-world critical lessons along with Tulane University’s Masters • “Federal Agencies and Governmental learned” in the ongoing effort to improve in Emergency Management program Partnerships in Public Health Emergency community resilience, the Pracademic instructors Meghan McPherson and Management: Implications for Continued Affairs eJournal has made its debut. Michael Wallace. COVID-19 Preparedness and Response”; In partnership with the Center for After a “persuasive presentation,” the HSAJ Homeland Defense and Security’s Homeland editorial committee “decided to give this new • “Implementing Space Technology and Security Affairs Journal, the new online practitioner’s forum a try,” Twing said. Innovations into Homeland Security and publication posted its inaugural issue on Emergency Management Operations and May 21. Pracademic Affairs offers a modern Activities”; The publication provides the “practitioner- option for ‘publishing and promoting’ • “Building Healthcare Resiliency through scholar,” or “pracademic,” a platform to content showcasing for new audiences Employee Personal Preparedness”. exchange ideas via a published open-source the important work being performed online journal, or eJournal, format. Pracademic Affairs is overseen by a six- Often, emergency management and by homeland security and emergency member board editorial review board that homeland security professionals have been management practitioners every day includes McPherson and Wallace, who discouraged from submitting articles for in the nation’s communities. serve as Pracademic Affairs co-directors, academic publications. Recca, New Hampshire Department of There has been a perceived gap between He said Pracademic Affairs is designed Safety, Division of Homeland Security and academic and practitioner roles within for short practical essays “written by Emergency Management director Jennifer those areas since the field’s inception as an practitioners for practitioners,” and serves Harper (Fusion Center Alum, Master’s academic discipline nearly two decades ago. as a supplement to the Homeland Security Alum, UAPP participant 0803/0804, FCLP Pracademic Affairs offers a modern option Affairs journal’s existing forum for academic 1002), Shell Oil Company Senior Emergency for ‘publishing and promoting’ content homeland security research. Response Specialist Bradley Hubbard, and showcasing for new audiences the important Submissions can include the following: Tulane University School of Professional work being performed by homeland security essays and short-form articles discussing Advancement Professor of Practice and and emergency management practitioners practitioners’ new ideas, changes, or updates Associate Director for the Emergency and every day in the nation’s communities. in current or future operations in the fields Security Studies program Dr. Rebecca Rouse. According to Homeland Security of emergency management, homeland The submission deadline for the second Affairs Journal managing editor Stephen security, or security management; lessons edition of Pracademic Affairs is Aug. 27. n Twing (University and Agency Partnership learned from real-world and exercise Program participant), the editorial events; and, discussion of leadership and/or READ MORE committee of the HSAJ had been “looking management best practices. to provide a forum for practitioners to share The hope is that the new eJournal can WWW.HSAJ.ORG/PRACADEMICAFFAIRS lessons learned and other practical insights “bring a voice to operators and elevate

Pracademic Affairs Review Board

Steve Recca: Director, Meghan McPherson: Director, Dr. Michael Wallace: Director, Jennifer Harper: Director, Bradley Hubbard: Dr. Rebecca Rouse: Professor University and Agency Partnership Emergency Management, Emergency and Security Studies New Hampshire Department of Senior Emergency Response of Practice and Associate Director, Program for NPS-CHDS Mount Sinai Queens Hospital program and professor of Safety, Division of Homeland Security Specialist, Shell Oil Company Emergency and Security Studies and Humanitarian Assistance • practice at Tulane University and Emergency Management (HSEM), program, Tulane University Program Advisor, Pacific Disaster Center MA0803/0804, FCLP1002

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 43 CHDS READ AND LISTEN PODCASTS Here are some recommendations from faculty and alumni.

CHECK OUT OUR INTERVIEWS AND PODCASTS

Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security WITH HOST HEATHER ISSVORAN BOOK PICKS DAN BRADLEY STEVEN SUND • Restricted Data: The History of Nuclear Secrecy The nation’s homeland security • The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious in the United States, by Alex Wellerstein leaders give opinions on current Dangers We Ignore, by Michele Wucker BYRON SMITH issues and challenges facing ALICIA WELCH • The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote the country. • Culture Code, by Daniel Coyle Leadership, by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel • Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown ANDREW MILLER • True Leadership, by P. Lamont Ewell • The No Asshole Rule, by Robert Sutton • Crucial Conversations, by Patterson, Grenny, REUBEN VARGHESE McMillan and Switzler  • The Answer to How is Yes: Acting on What Matters,  PATRICK SHEEHAN by Peter Block  • Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution, • Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner  by August Cole and P.W. Singer CYNTHIA ATWOOD WITH HOST • Like War: The Weaponization of Social Media, • The Bright Shining Lie, by Paul Sheehan BIJAN KARIMI by Emerson T. Brooking and P.W. Singer • All Things Wise and Wonderful, by James Herriot • Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That • Comedy of Terrors, by Lindsey Davis Informal conversations with Stand in the Way of True Inspiration, by Amy Wallace DANIEL HOWARD CHDS Homeland Security and Edwin Catmull Master’s program students • Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne about their theses. JOHN EGAN • The House at Pooh Corner, by A.A. Milne • The Ride of a Lifetime, by Robert Iger JOHN EGAN JIMMY GIACOMO • The Second World War, by Winston Churchill • The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations, • The Ride of a Lifetime, by Robert Iger by Daniel Yergin KATE ROBERTS ERIC SAYLORS • Just Listen, by Mark Goulston • The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, by Michael Lewis MIKE BIASOTTI ROBERT WATTS • The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larson • Trump and His Generals, by Peter Bergen WITH HOST ANGI ENGLISH FRANK FORMAN ERIKA SCHAUB • Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction, • Without Remorse, by Tom Clancy by Michelle Nijhuis Yesterday’s pioneers, JILL BARNES JUDD FREED today’s leaders, and • The Enormous Room, by E.E. Cummings tomorrow’s visionaries • Sooley, by John Grisham within homeland security. ARON SACCHETTI • Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To, by David Sinclair PODCAST PICKS RONALD DORMAN Find these podcasts MICHAEL JOHNSON • THE MOTH; STORIES; ALL AT SEA and more at • Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, www.chds.us/ed by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman JASON HART or wherever you stream MOKIE COLLINS • MARTYR MADE; FEAR AND LOATHING • Three Cups of Tea, by David Oliver Relin IN THE NEW JERUSALEM and Greg Mortenson DAN O’CONNOR WEB COMIC PICK • Doom, by Niall Ferguson JILL BARNES MARK HAYNES • THEOATMEAL.COM/COMICS/PLANE • Think Again, by Adam Grant

44 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 CLASS NOTES Updates from your colleagues since the last edition of Watermark.

MASTER’S DEGREE MA1005/1006 Randall DeGering is starting a new position MA1601/1602 PROGRAM (MA) Chad Gorman was named as the Acting as Principal Systems Engineer at LinQuest. Mike Alvarez, California Highway Patrol, MA0302/0303 Assistant Administrator of the National has been promoted to Assistant Chief. Erika Schaub is joining the Long Island Board Preparedness Directorate (NPD) at the Federal MA1403/1404 of Review at New York Department of State. Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). John Payne was promoted to Assistant MA1603/1604 Chief with the City of Bremerton Fire Bill Hegedusich is now the Installation MA0501/0502 MA1105/1106 Department in Washington. Emergency Manager at US Army Garrison, Dan Pennington is starting a new position Dr. Michael Falkow recently completed the Robert King was formally appointed to Fort Gordon. as Chief of Staff at City of Pasadena, Texas. Doctorate program at the Sol Price School of be the Chief Data Officer for the Associate Public Policy at USC. Dr. Falkow’s dissertation Commissioner Office of Analytics & Judy Lynn was promoted to Director of Nancy Bush is starting a new position as is entitled, “A Framework for Good Local Improvement at the Social Security Emergency Management for Cochise County Operations Officer at Clackamas Governance: Achieving Prosperity in an Administration. County, AZ. County, OR. Increasingly Complex Environment.” Nabeela Barbari is starting a new position John Whitney started a new position Robert Keith started a new position as MA0601/0602 at the Executive Office of the President, as Superstition Fire and Medical District Sr. Project Manager at Cerner Corporation. Nitin Natarajan is starting a new position National Security Council, as Director in the Fire Chief. as Deputy Director at Cybersecurity and Resilience and Response Directorate. MA1201/1202 Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). MA 1605/1606 Chad Baker, Lieutenant, retired from the MA1405/1406 Stephanie Smiley was appointed Director Orange County Sheriff’s Department (CA) MA0803/0804 Ray Bisogno, Regional Prevention at the American Academy of Pediatrics. last month. Troy Miller was named Acting Coordinator, Newark, NJ, started a new Commissioner of US Customs and Border role with the DHS Center for Prevention Army Reserve CID Special Agent and MA1203/1204 Programs and Partnerships (formerly the Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) Gabe Protection (CBP). Steven Hersem is starting a new position Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Rhodes was mobilized in March to assist as Director of Threat Management & Prevention). with Army CID’s protective services MA 0901/0902 Intelligence at AVANGRID. Philip Treglia received a Doctor of Management mission. He is working as a Team Chief Ted Berger will be starting a new position in the Protective Intelligence Branch degree with a concentration in Homeland Roger Stokes started a new position as as Deputy Chief of Staff at Cook County based at Quantico, VA for the U.S, Army Security from Colorado Technical University. commander of the Dallas Fusion Center- State’s Attorney’s Office in Illinois. Protective Services Battalion based at Real-Time Crime Center. MA0905/0906 Ft. Belvoir. MA1501/1502 Michael Brown, Associate Director Field MA1205/1206 Matt Murphy started a new position as Operations-West, in Orange County, Todd Tuggle has been officially named MA1701/1702 Major, Deputy Division Commander, Division California, started a new role with the Santa Maria Fire Chief after serving five Jasper Cooke started his service with the of Homeland Security and Preparedness DHS Center for Prevention Programs and months in the interim role. Texas Division of Emergency Management Partnerships (formerly the Office for with the Massachusetts State Police. as Section Chief/Deputy State Hazard Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention). MA1301/1302 Mitigation Officer. George Johnstone, Police Chief for the MA1503/1504 Thanh Vo Noel Lipana, Regional Prevention City of Corona, CA, officially retired last is starting a new position as MA1703/1704 Coordinator, Sacramento, California, December. Operations Officer, S-3, 1249 Engineer Kristen Ziman recently became a member started a new role with the DHS Center Battalion at Oregon Army National Guard. of CHIEF, a private network focused on Prevention Programs and Partnerships MA1305/1306 connecting and supporting women leaders. (formerly the Office for Targeted Violence David O’Leary, Associate Director for Grants & MA1505/1506 and Terrorism Prevention). Innovation, Washington, D.C., started a new role Aristotle Wolfe was named Assistant Chief Ryan Whitehead is starting a new position with the DHS Center for Prevention Programs of the California Highway Patrol Northern as Management and Program Analyst at MA 1001/1002 and Partnerships (formerly the Office for Division. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security National Defense University Professor Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention). Agency (CISA). Michael Brody was recently recognized Kimberly Ramsey has been promoted to as NDU's College of Information and East Lansing Fire Chief Randy Talifarro is Deputy Executive Director for the National Michael Spina recently moved up to Cyberspace “Faculty of the Year.” retiring after leading the department for Border Security Intelligence Watch at U.S. management for Enforcement and Removal 20 years. Customs and Border Protection. Operations and relocated to Knoxville, MA1003/1004 TN. His new title is Supervisory Detention Rodney Andreasen is starting a new MA1401/1402 Michael Brown has been promoted to and Deportation Officer, Enforcement and position as Threat Assessment/Training Bijan Karimi is starting a new position as Director of Emerging Security Solutions for Removal Operations at U.S. Immigration Specialist for Counter Threat Group, LLC. Director of Business Continuity at Federal the Metropolitan Transportation Authority HQ. and Customs Enforcement. Reserve Bank of San Francisco, CA. WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 45 CLASS NOTES After three decades of serving the MA1903/1904 ELP0702 ELP1402 residents and officers of her hometown, Will Werner was recently hired to lead Scott Kelberg was named Acting Deputy Tim Tobiasz recently took a senior GS Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman plans to the University of Missouri – St. Louis’s Assistant Administrator, FEMA National position with U.S. Northern Command in retire in August from the department. National Security and Community Policy Preparedness. the J36, Domestic Operations division. Collaborative. He also started a new position MA1705/1706 as the Director of the UMSL National Security ELP0901 ELP1501 Kristopher Thornburg, Ph.D., is now a and Community Police Collaborative. MaryAnn Tierney was named FEMA Senior Connecticut State Emergency Management Fulbright Scholar in the Fulbright Arctic Official Performing the Duties of the Director William J. Hackett announced his Initiative at The Fulbright Program. Lier Chen has been awarded the USCIS Field Deputy Administrator. retirement, effective June 1, 2021. Director Operations Directorate (FOD) Recognition of Hackett served for 15 years as Connecticut FEMA Program Analyst Benjamin Berger has Excellence (Gold pin) because of her Alumni David Emond was selected as the Chief of State Emergency Management Director, been awarded the 2020 Meet the Challenge Short Talk “Hearing Muted Voices: Using Security and Professional Responsibility retiring as the longest–serving state Award for extraordinary efforts as part of Radical Subjectivity to Address Homeland for the DHS Federal Law Enforcement director, and as the current longest- the FEMA National Response Coordination Security Issues” at APEX 2021. The award Training Center (FLETC). serving director in the country. Center (NRCC) Pandemic Team. is presented at the discretion of the FOD Associate Director and recognizes FOD and ELP 0902 ELP1502 MA1803/1804 FOD FDNS employees who further the FOD Norman (Buddy) Custard is starting a Frank Soto will be starting a new position Patrick Liston started a new position as mission and the core values of USCIS. new position as President & CEO at Alaska as Deputy Chief at Spokane Valley Fire Senior Consultant at Deloitte. Chadux Network. [ELP 0902] Department, WA. Mark Haynes started a new position Kimberly Hayward Buys has been as Chesterfield County Police ELP1001 ELP1602 promoted to Chief Deputy Director at Cook Department Captain. Robert McCaughan, Vice President, Prehospital Craig Murphy is starting a new position County Emergency Management and Care Services, will be retiring from Allegheny as 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner for the Regional Security. MA1905/1906 Health Network on February 2, 2021. Philadelphia Fire Department. Eric Baker has been promoted to Senior MA1805/1806 Manager, Data and Technology at the ELP1002 ELP1701 Erik Rau started a new position as Texas Department of Public Safety. Erin Greten has joined Baker Donelson as Lee DePalo will be departing FEMA after Emergency Response Planner at the a member of the Firm’s Disaster Recovery serving as a Federal Coordinating Officer, Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshall. MA2001/2002 and Government Services Team in the Response Division Director, and Regional Elvis Chan is now the Assistant Special Agent Washington, D.C. office. Administrator. MA1901/1902 in Charge for the FBI San Francisco region. Beth Windisch, Regional Prevention Thomas MacLellan started a new position Edward Prokop retired from the Los Angeles Coordinator, Chicago, Illinois, started a new role Richard Fields started a new position as Director, Government Affairs and Strategy Police Department and moved to Glynco, with the DHS Center for Prevention Programs as Commander of the Supply and for SLED at Palo Alto Networks. GA where he will be working for the Federal and Partnerships (formerly the Office for Maintenance Division for the Los Angeles Law Enforcement Training Center. Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention). City Fire Department. Chris McLaughlin started a new position as Executive Vice President of Operations at ELP1702 Pardeep Deol was promoted to Corporal MA2005/2006 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Richard Patrick, National Fire Programs with the Prospect Heights Police Kristin Duquette started a new position Director, U.S. Fire Administration, was Department in Illinois. as Security Fellow at Truman National ELP 1101 presented with IAFC Presidential Certificate of Security Project. Dr. Carol Cunningham, Ohio Department of Special Appreciation awards for his work with Brent Travelbee, Emergency Management Public Safety, Division of EMS, was selected to the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Section Chief at Michigan Department MA2101/2102 serve as the EMS speaker for the 100th edition of Corrections, was awarded the Christjan Gaudio is starting a new of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Stephen Laycock is starting a new Distinguished Service Medal by the position as Chief, Counterterrorism Policy; Services National COVID-19 Clinical Rounds. position as Executive Director of National Michigan National Guard. Commandant (CG-ODO-2) at U.S. Coast Guard. She was also selected by Columbia University Intelligence Programs at KACE Company. as the keynote speaker for the first annual EXECUTIVE LEADERS Christopher Adamczyk recently joined PROGRAM (ELP) Lorna Breen Memorial Celebrating Women in ELP1801 Amazon’s Protective Services team. Leadership on April 21, 2021. Andrew McMahan is starting a new position ELP0601 as Associate Vice President, Global Resiliency Nancy Dragani has accepted FEMA Suzanne E. Tannenbaum started a new ELP1401 and Security at New York University. Administrator Deanne Criswell’s request to position as the West Region Safety Director Julie Roberts, CEM, is starting a new serve as the Senior Official Performing the for First Student, the largest provider of position as President at JK Roberts, Ron Rowe has been appointed as the Chief Duties of Deputy Administrator starting July 7. school bus services in North America. LLC., specializing in strategic and crisis of Staff to the Director at the United States [+MA 1005/1006] communication, emergency management, Secret Service. public relations, and government affairs.

46 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 CLASS NOTES ELP1802 EMERGENCE 1702 FCLP1701 in ATAP Quarterly titled “Texas K-12 Threat Aaron Levy is starting a new position as Cody Lockwood, Captain, received Rick Weger started a new position as the Assessment & Management: Proceed with Director of Individual and Community the 2020 President’s Award from the Director of Security (Allied Universal) at Caution.” [NPS-CHDS Master’s Program Preparedness Division at FEMA. Christiana Fire Company in Delaware. Santana Row in San Jose, CA. 1903/1904]

After 11 years with the New York City EMERGENCE 1902 FCLP1702 Todd Bensman, Senior National Security Department of Health, Colin Stimmler Preparedness Advisors, LLC President Doug Lyons, California Highway Patrol, has Fellow at Center for Immigration Studies, is starting a new job as New York City’s Patrick Campion has been selected to been promoted to Assistant Chief. published a book based on his CHDS Metropolitan Transportation Authority present on “Building a Datadriven Culture [MA 1401/1402] thesis research “America’s Covert Border Deputy Chief of Emergency Management. in Emergency Management” with Eric War: The Untold Story of the Nation’s Shreve at the National Homeland Security FACULTY FOOTNOTES Battle to Prevent Jihadist Infiltration” ELP1901 Association‘s Annual Conference in Las that is rated #1 among immigration Erik Dahl, CHDS Associate Chair for Brian Harrell, Vice President/Chief Security Vegas this August. policy books on Amazon. [NPS-CHDS Instruction, received the Lieutenant Officer at Avangrid, was appointed to the Master’s Program 1401/1402] Commander David L. Williams Outstanding Editorial Board at Homeland Security Today. EMERGENCE 2001 Professor Award from the Naval Postgraduate Eric Holdeman spoke with departing Melike Turk was promoted to Sergeant at School for the 2020 Fall Quarter. Taylor Blunt is leaving his previous New York City Police Department (NYPD). FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor about position as Arlington County Fire his experiences serving as Administrator The latest publication from CHDS instructor Department High Threat Response FUSION CENTER LEADERS and some of the lessons learned in a Anders Strindberg, titled “Social Identity Specialist and starting a new position PROGRAM (FCLP) blog post titled “An Exit Interview With Theory and the Study of Terrorism and with KPMG in their disaster recovery FCLP1201 Pete Gaynor, FEMA Administrator”. Violent Extremism” provides an overview of and emergency management division. Sasha Larkin is being promoted to Deputy Holdeman (Executive Leaders Program Social Identity Theory (SIT) and its utility as Additionally, Taylor received a Ribbon Chief at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police 1401) and Gaynor (Executive Leaders an integrative framework for the qualitative of Valor from the Metropolitan Police Department. [ELP 1902] Program 1201) are both alumni of the study of terrorism and violent extremism. Department in recognition of assistance NPS-CHDS Executive Leaders Program. provided at the Capitol on Jan. 6. FCLP1202 Seth Jones, CHDS instructor and Harold Kevin Saupp has been named as the Carla Gray, Head of Safety and Security at Brown Chair; Director, Transnational ELP1902 Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Epic Games, recently authored an article Threats Project; and Senior Adviser, Harvey Perriott is starting a new position as Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention for Security Management Magazine titled International Security Program at the the Regional Director of DHS-CISA Region 6. at the Department of Homeland Security. “Change is the Only Constant: Lessons Center for Strategic & International Studies [MA 0401/0402, ELP 1801] Learned from Uber.” [Executive Leaders (CSIS), co-authored a report on “The Program 1602] LaFonda Sutton-Burke is starting a new Evolution of Domestic Terrorism in the FCLP1502 position as Director of the Chicago Field Office United States.” at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Kevin Lane is now serving as Major of Mark Ray, Director of Public Works – City Support Services Division at Vermont State of Crystal, MN, authored an article for PUBLICATIONS Thomas Sivak is starting a new position Police. [ELP 2001] American Infrastructure Magazine that as Vice President of Preparedness, Crisis An article titled “Terrorist Victim or explores infrastructure protection lessons Management at Cresco Labs. FCLP1503 Perpetrator?” co-authored by Stephanie learned from the response to COVID-19. Eli Owen, Commander, California State Blum, Senior Counsel at Transportation [Executive Leaders Program 1801] Shruti Dhapodkar is starting a new Threat Assessment Center at the California Security Administration, and CHDS position as San Mateo County EMS Director. Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Instructor Nadav Morag was republished A new research document about the recently retired. [ELP 2001] by an independent, non-partisan think effectiveness of armed officers on school Paul Huesken retired from his position as tank called Talking About Terrorism. [NPS- campuses is based on data from the Chief Information Assurance Officer at The Elijah Owen has been appointed Assistant CHDS Master’s Program 0703/0704] K-12 School Shooting Database, a project Coca-Cola Company. Director of Recovery Operations at the by NPS-CHDS alumni Desmond O’Neill Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, The latest edition of Parents With (NPS-CHDS Master’s Program 1401/1402 & Linda Lindamood started a new position where he has served as Commander of the Preparedness Magazine includes articles HSx1701) and David Riedman (NPS-CHDS as Director of Operations at 2022 Special State Threat Assessment Center since 2015. by CHDS alum Angi English, Adjunct Master’s Program 1505/1506 & HSx1701). Olympics USA Games. Professor at Idaho State University FCLP 1601 [NPS-CHDS Master’s Program 1303/1304, Richard Serino, Distinguished Senior Jeff Dambly was promoted from assistant Executive Leaders Program 1201, HSx 1701], Fellow at the Harvard School of EMERGENCE PROGRAM general counsel at the Florida Department and Heather Issvoran, CHDS Strategic Public Health, National Preparedness EMERGENCE 1701 of Law Enforcement to deputy general Communications Director. Leadership Initiative, authored “Here’s Kelly Fitzgerald will be starting a new counsel. [MA 1701/1702] What’s Needed to Solve the Vaccine position in June as FEMA’s Higher Education Bruno Dias, Director of Safety, Security Crisis”, an editorial for the Boston Herald Program Manager. [+MA 1901/1902] and Threat Management, Mansfield that describes how to solve the vaccine Independent School District, has an article crisis. [Executive Leaders Program 0601]

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 47 CLASS NOTES Doug Weeks’ book “Al Muhajiroun; A Case Additionally, SSDB is one of three mass Study in Contemporary Islamic Activism” school shooting databases utilized for “A was listed as one of the top Eight Books Horrible History: Colorado’s Plague of Mass on Terrorism & Counter- Terrorism-Related Shootings”, an article published by The Subjects by Perspectives on Terrorism Bold, The University of Colorado Boulder’s journal (page 152). [Master’s Degree student-led media organization. Program 0601/0602] In honor of National Police Week, NPS-CHDS Patrick Burke [Master’s Degree Program alum and Motorola Public Safety Specialist 0801/0802], Executive Director of Ray Guidetti wrote “Paying it Backward: Washington DC Police Foundation, and Honoring the Police Through Those We Serve” Cynthia Renaud [Master’s Degree Program for the Motorola Solutions Blog. (Master’s 0901/0902], President of the International Degree Program 2005) Association of Chiefs of Police, each contributed to the latest edition of Parents Mountain Valley Emergency with Preparedness Magazine. Communications Center Executive Director Jeremy DeMar and his work at CHDS, Mark Landahl, Emergency Manager at including his thesis “Next Generation 9-1-1: Rockville Police Department, MD, edited a Policy implications of Incident Related new book on “The Role of Law Enforcement Imagery on the Public Safety Answering in Emergency Management and Homeland Point” are mentioned in The New Security” that will be coming out in June Jersey League of Municipalities recently (available for pre-order now). [Master’s published magazine. (Master’s Degree Degree Program 0501/0502]. Many CHDS Program 1505/1506) alumni contributed to the book, including Chris Bertram [MA 603/604], Eileen Decker The Next Generation 911 (NG911) Incident- [MA 1205/1206], Max Geron [MA 1205/1206], Related Imagery Impacts 101 has been Paul Liquorie [MA 1301/1302], Keith published on the SAFECOM Transition to Ludwick [0701/0702], Matthew Morin [MA NG911 Resources webpage under “911.” 1501/1502], Eric Rosner [MA 1601/1602], Public safety stakeholders can use this Robert Vasquez [MA 1703/1704], and document to familiarize themselves with Michael Ward [MA 1503/1504]. emerging technologies in 911 centers and help plan incident-related imagery An article published in theconversation. consumption. Mountain Valley Emergency com titled “Knoxville School Shooting Communications Center Executive Director Serves as Stark Reminder of a Familiar – but Jeremy DeMar serves as the vice-chair for Preventable – Thread” covers the tragic the Next Generation 911 Working Group April 12 school shooting at the Austin-East for SAFECOM, a DHS’s Cybersecurity & Magnet High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Infrastructure Security Agency division. The The article cites the K-12 School Shooting published guidance document not only Database (SSDB), a project by CHDS alumni cites his research at NPS but is also explicitly Desmond O’Neill [Master’s Program 2015 & titled with the phrase he coined for his Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security thesis. (Master’s Degree Program 1505/1506) HSx1701] and David Riedman [Master’s Program 2017 & Advanced Thinking in Salinas Police Department Investigations Homeland Security HSx1701]. Division Commander John Murray recently wrote an article for The Californian titled The K-12 School Shooting Database (SSDB), “Salinas police shouldn’t follow Pied Piper a project by NPS-CHDS alumni Desmond down police defunding path.” [Master’s O’Neill [Master’s Program 2015 & Advanced Degree Program 1603/1604] Thinking in Homeland Security HSx1701] and David Riedman [Master’s Program 2017 & Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security To see your name in the next edition, be sure to look for the HSx1701], is cited in “A Practical Christian send a note about yourself or one of your HSDL redesign this summer. Ministry For Parental Grief and Loss”, a colleagues to Heather Issvoran HOMELAND SECURITY DIGITAL LIBRARY dissertation for a doctorate in ministry at at [email protected]. Barnett College of Ministry and Theology.

48 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 CLASS NOTES Our CHDS Family is Everywhere ALUMNI PHOTO ALBUM Photos of CHDS alumni from around the nation.

Muhammad Ashraf was recently promoted to the rank of Captain, NYPD. (Master's Degree Program 1805/1806) ELP grad, Derek Bergsten received the 2020 Fire Chief of the year award from the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. (Executive Leaders Program 1702)

Congratulate Kimberly Hayward Buys for being promoted to Chief Deputy Director at Cook County Emergency Management Sarah Dietch and John Rabin signed an MOA for Peace Corps and and Regional Security. (Master's Degree Program 1803/1804) FEMA to partner, (Executive Leaders Program 1402). For just the second time in Peace Corps history, volunteers will serve in the United States working in FEMA-supported Community Vaccination Centers.

MA grad Derek Phillips displays his Mission HS Award and the Doris Davis Award. Both were awarded because of his NPS thesis. ELP grad Carol Cunningham, who sits on the board of directors for Photo by William Greenblatt - St. Louis Fire Department Bryan Sky-Eagle was promoted to Deputy Chief, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, made a dream come (Master's Degree Program 1903/1904) Houston Fire Department. (Executive Leaders Program 1701) true, she was DJ of the Day! (Executive Leaders Program 1101) WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 49 ALUMNI PHOTO ALBUM

MA grads Capt. Brad Apitz (USCG) (Master's Degree Program 1901/1902) and Kevin McMahan (WA NG) (Master's Degree Program 1801/1802) met up for a photo op at the Pentagon.

MA grad Jay Hart gets his hands on Spot! (Master's Degree Program 1805/1806)

Tim Heiser sports the colors as he “freezes” in Ft. Lauderdale. (Master's Degree Program 1805/1806)

Thank you for your service! ELP alum and Connecticut State MA grad Ryan Monaghan appointed Police Chief for the Town of Emergency Management Director William J. Hackett retired this Tiburon, CA. Come visit! (Master's Degree Program 1803/1804) year. (Executive Leaders Program 1501)

Tim Manning (Executive Leaders Program 0601) with Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky are an all-star team Sheriff Devon Bell presents to fellow alum Doug Lee supporting COVID-19 response. 50 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI PHOTO ALBUM

Congratulate MA participant Kristin Duquette for starting a new position as Security Fellow at Truman National Security Project. (Master's Degree Program 2005/2006)

Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator [Executive Leaders Program 0801 , Master’s Degree Program 1004/1004] and MaryAnn Tierney [Executive Leaders Program 0901]. “This is the moment when the President of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Administrator of FEMA halted a briefing to acknowledge how much MaryAnn Tierney does for our Nation.”

Congratulations to Craig Murphy on his appointment to be the 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner for the Philadelphia Fire Department! (Executive Leaders Program 1602)

Briefing the press is Capt. Dana Hall (Master's Degree Program 0705/0706) with Chancellor Jeffrey Gold and UNMC staff (Dr. Michael Wadman and Shelly Schwedhelm) with passengers from the Princess Cruise lines who were isolated and treated at UNMC.

Bruno Dias, upper left corner, provided testimony to the Texas House of Representatives (Committee on Public Education) in March. (Master's Degree Program 1903/1904)

CHDS alums are everywhere! MA grad Chad Gorman (Master's Degree Program 1005/1006) with fellow alum Benjamin Berger, 1st Program Analyst at FEMA National Preparedness Assessment Regional chapters are alive and well! Dave Brannan (CHDS Instructor) was a guest for the Ohio chapter. Division. (Master's Degree Program 1705/1706) WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 51 TO THE CHDS FAMILY! WelcomeCongratulations to our most recently completed CHDS cohorts.

MASTERS MASTERS ELP EMERGENCE 1903 | 1904 1905 | 1906 1902 2001

Naval Postgraduate School, Herrmann Hall, Monterey, CA. | Photo by Javier Chagoya/NPS-PAO.

52 | WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Don’t forget you have access to these valuable research and information resources:

HOMELAND SECURITY SELF-STUDY HOMELAND SECURITY DIGITAL LIBRARY COURSES AFFAIRS JOURNAL www.hsdl.org www.chds.us/selfstudy www.hsaj.org The Homeland Security Digital Library Non-credit, online self-study courses, Homeland Security Affairs is the peer-reviewed (HSDL) is the nation’s premier collection of derived from the NPS-CHDS Master’s degree online journal of CHDS, providing a forum documents related to homeland security policy, curriculum, are available to homeland defense to propose and debate strategies, policies, and strategy, and organizational management. and security professionals who wish to enhance organizational arrangements to strengthen Visit this online resource at www.hsdl.org. their understanding of key homeland security U.S. homeland security. CHDS instructors, concepts and who require the flexibility participants, alumni, and partners represent of self-paced instruction. Find self-study the leading subject matter experts and courses on the CHDS website home page at practitioners in the field of homeland security. HSDL www.chds.us/selfstudy. Read the Journal at www.hsaj.org.

LEARNING MATERIALS FROM THE NPS CENTER FOR HOMELAND DEFENSE AND SECURITY STAY CONNECTED WITH CHDS ANYTIME, ANYWHERE CHDS/ED www.chds.us/ed

CHDS and its University and Agency Partnership Program (UAPP) provide free access to specialized curriculum, learning materials, self-study courses, Homeland Security Digital Library holdings, and other educational resources. Open to public and private sector partners, the goal is to make available courses, content, and original research to help agencies and practitioners solve problems and carry out their missions and for academics to further homeland security education. The educational materials on chds.us/ed also include multimedia elements such as interviews, podcasts, media-enhanced www.chds.us npsCHDS npsCHDS npsCHDS lectures, and Viewpoints interviews with subject matter experts. QUESTIONS TECHNICAL COMMENTS SUPPORT SUGGESTIONS ?

HEATHER ISSVORAN [email protected] Director, Strategic Communications 831.272.2437 (PST) Center for Homeland Defense and Security [email protected] • 831.402.4672 (c)

WATERMARK SUMMER 2021 | 53 Tribute In Light, September 11 Memorial, New York City Photo by Anthony Quintano, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Nation’s Homeland Security Educator | www.chds.us