DHS Launches New Council to Support Infrastructure Protection Mission

“The formation of the SLTTGCC underscores the importance of bringing all the relevant public and private partners to the critical infrastructure protection table at once,” said Council Chairman Colonel (P.) Michael McDaniel, homeland security advisor for the state of Michigan. “This group provides a needed and educated voice to the Sector Partnership Framework that is a vital element of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), and it highlights DHS’ dedication to broadening the critical infrastructure protection landscape.”

He added that the SLTTGCC is fully engaged with NIPP implementation priorities and related activities, including the council’s recent review of the 17 Sector Specific Plans (SSPs) and participation in the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council Plenary Session on July 19, 2007.

In accordance with the NIPP, this council provides a forum to ensure state, local, tribal and territorial government representatives are fully integrated as active participants in the national CI/KR protection efforts. It also provides an organizational structure to coordinate across jurisdictions on CI/KR-related state- and local-level guidance, strategies and programs. SLTTGCC functions include:

• Providing senior-level, cross jurisdictional strategic communications and coordination through the partnership with DHS, the sector-specific agencies (SSAs) and private sector owners and operators;
• Participating in planning efforts related to the development, implementation, update and revision of the NIPP Base Plan and SSPs;
• Coordinating strategic issues and issue management resolution among state, local, tribal and territorial security partners;
• Coordinating with DHS, SSAs and other security partners to support efforts to plan, implement and execute the nation’s CI/KR protection; and
• Providing DHS, SSAs and other security partners with information on state-, local-, tribal- and territorial-level CI/KR protection initiatives, activities and effective practices.
• The SLTTGCC is comprised of up to 30 members who bring geographical diversity and broad disciplinary representation of recognized leaders in homeland security and critical infrastructure protection. Members of the SLTTGCC are required to be senior-level state, local, tribal or territorial homeland security official or equivalent with strategic oversight responsibilities related to critical infrastructure protection, who are:

• Accountable for the development, improvement and maintenance of critical infrastructure protection policies or programs at the state, local, tribal or territorial level;
• Recognized by peers as a leader who possesses relevant knowledge and experience;
• Committed to acting as a national stakeholder representative: and
• Willing to engage actively in the promotion and facilitation of communication and coordination among stakeholders on CI/KR protection policies, strategies and programs.

For additional information about the SLTTGCC, its members, membership criteria, working groups, and more, visit http://www.dhs.gov/slttgcc.