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Since the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, both government and the private sector have been obligated to reexamine their mission in enhancing national security. Recognizing the critical role of these two entities, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), the Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center (STIC), and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are partnering with members of the private sector to form the Private Sector Alliance Project to promote a culture of information sharing and partnership between public safety agencies and the private sector.
The Private Sector Alliance Project consists of two interdependent programs: Infrastructure Security Awareness (ISA) and the Mutual Aid Response Network (MARN).
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"Government at the federal, state, and local level must actively collaborate and partner with the private sector, which controls 85 percent of America's infrastructure . . . the nation's infrastructure protection effort must harness the capabilities of the private sector to achieve a prudent level of security without hindering productivity, trade, or economic growth."
-The President's National Strategy for Homeland Security
The Infrastructure Security Awareness Program (ISA) was designed to address the need to improve the resilience of Illinois' fight against terrorism. Using community policing initiatives, strategies, and tactics at its foundation, the ISA program looks to corporate security professionals as the primary keystone for the detection and prevention of suspicious activities associated with terrorism and other criminal activities. To aid in this crucial mandate, ISA project members will be entitled to exchange critical, need-to- know/right-to-know (i.e., official business) information as well as information obtained within the corporate security community. Delivery and communication of this information will be facilitated through an Internet portal provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called the Homeland Security Information Network. Information housed in this Internet network portal is organized by the following categories: alerts, organized retail theft, situational awareness, document library, training calendar, document library, and calendar of events/anniversaries.
Security directors, managers, and supervisors who are involved in the operation of critical infrastructures or other commercial businesses with critical assets are encouraged to participate in this worthwhile information sharing forum. Membership includes an application process under the oversight of ITTF's ISA Advisory Committee. There is no fee to participate.
If your company is involved in the protection of critical infrastructures/assets and interested in learning more about how it can play a role in the ISA program, please contact the Infrastructure Security Awareness Program Manager and/or consult the ISA Membership Application.
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"The Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with State and local governments and the private sector, should develop a.system based on established contracts for stockpiling commodities at the local level for emergencies and the provision of goods and services during emergencies."
-The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina, Lessons Learned, February 2006
Recent events in our Nation demonstrate how traumatic incidents can quickly deplete our response resources. Illinois recognizes the need to partner with the private sector community to help fill gaps in resources during emergency response and recovery. Thus, Illinois' newly established Mutual Aid Response Network Program (MARN) is designed to leverage existing resources located within the private sector community to mitigate the impact of critical incidents, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
According to a report accounting the Department of Homeland Security's National Incident Management System, the maintenance of an "accurate and up-to-date picture of resource utilization is a crucial component of emergency incident management." Accordingly, Illinois is developing a clearinghouse which details agreements with the private sector which provide for the utilization of resources during a critical incident. Resources include facilities, equipment, transportation, medical supplies, and power available or potentially available for assignment/allocation to support emergency response activities. Additionally, reimbursement for the utilization of resources during such events will be arranged. It is the program's mission to encourage the private sector to form cooperative partnerships with the IEMA to enhance Illinois' safety, security, and preparedness.
We need your help to keep Illinois prepared. If your company is interested in assisting in the development of joint emergency planning and preparedness through the sharing of assets, we want to talk to you. Please contact the Mutual Aid Response Network Program Manager.
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