Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Division of

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Agency Web Site: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/

Mission

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and emergencies.

Organization and Staffing

To carry out the agency’s mission, DHSES is organized as follows:

• Office of Counter Terrorism;
• Office of Emergency Management;
• Office of Fire Prevention and Control;
• Office of Interoperable Emergency Communications;
• Office of Logistics, Stockpile and State Preparedness Training Center;
• Office of Recovery Programs; and
• Office of Administration and Finance.

DHSES has a central office in Albany, a satellite office in New York City, 10 stockpile locations, and regional offices in support of the five Emergency Management Regions statewide. In addition, the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) located in Oriskany and the Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls serve as key training facilities for first responders across the State.

Budget Highlights

The FY2020 Executive Budget recommends $1.57 billion in support for DHSES ($154.3 million in the General Fund; $1.3 billion in Special Revenue - Federal Funds; $127.2 million in Special Revenue - Other Funds; and $33 million in State Capital). The $3.6M increase in Special Revenue Funds - Other from FY2019 is attributed to a new $1 million fund for the Securing the Cities Program, which receives grants for the purposes of reducing the risk of deployment of radiological or nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas in the United States, and additional Special Revenue – Other appropriation for the full annualization of prior year proposals and the transfer of contract management responsibilities from ITS for satellite services for emergency vehicles and offices. Capital programming includes $3.0 million to support preventative maintenance projects at DHSES training facilities, $25 million in new appropriations to support current grants awarded through the Office of Interoperable Emergency Communications, and $5.0 million for capital improvement projects at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany. All appropriations for the Superstorm Sandy recovery effort have been re-appropriated and spending is expected to continue for several years.

The Executive Budget includes new appropriations of $75 million to further develop interoperable public safety communications, a funding level equivalent to FY 2019.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 614 FTEs for DHSES, an increase of 9 from FY 2019 related to emergency services programs.

Program Highlights

Counter Terrorism

DHSES conducts annual Red Team exercises to test the security measures of businesses and facilities in each of the State’s 16 Counter Terrorism Zones. These exercises evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of the State’s suspicious activity reporting programs; partnerships between local and State law enforcement business owners, and the public; and the State’s overall counter terrorism posture.

In 2018, DHSES Office of Counter Terrorism successfully coordinated the efforts of over 430 personnel representing over 100 Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies across the state to conduct Red Team exercises. A total of 88 teams tested 1,031 locations to evaluate the effectiveness of New York State’s suspicious activity reporting programs and to enhance the relationship between law enforcement, private sector businesses, and the general public.

Cyber Incident Response Team

The Executive Budget continues to include funding to maintain a multi-agency team to assist non-Executive agencies, local governments, and public authorities in how to better protect their information technology assets, critical operating systems and data from cyber attacks, malware and ransomware.

State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC)

The SPTC is a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary facility providing training to State, local, and Federal emergency first responders. It contains a variety of training venues for both scenario-based and classroom training, including the Cityscape complex, which is a critical component to the Advanced Active Shooter Scenario courses. The Swift Water Rescue Simulator, completed in May 2018, offers training to local emergency responders from across the State.

Field Operations Building at the Academy of Fire Sciences

The Executive Budget includes funding to construct a new 20,000 square foot Field Operations Building to be located on the training grounds at the Academy of Fire Sciences in Montour Falls, NY. The building will be multi-functional, including: increased classroom space for career and volunteer firefighters; storage space for fire apparatus, turnout gear and training equipment; shower and locker rooms for removal of contaminants; and washer/extractor for decontaminating turnout gear. Construction of the new Field Operations Building is underway and will improve and maximize the delivery of trainings to New York State’s first responders.

Transportation Security Training

DHSES conducts train-the-trainer programs and provide direct training to civilian airport employees focused on increasing security awareness and active shooter preparedness. The program will place emphasis on the importance of their role in reporting potential threats and responding appropriately during an emergency in order to protect themselves and the public.

Citizen Preparedness Corps Training

Training sessions led by the New York National Guard and the Red Cross, working with DHSES Emergency Management and Fire Prevention and Control experts, equip citizens with the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster in their community, respond accordingly, and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Over 277,000 citizens have been trained, and in-person and online trainings continue.

NY Responds

The implementation of this state-of-the-art online incident management system is ongoing. Planned enhancements include continued county and State use of the Mutualink interoperability platform during incidents.

Emergency Stockpiles

DHSES operates and maintains 10 strategically located stockpile facilities that house resources often needed in response to disasters and emergencies, including generators, light towers, water tankers, food, water, cots, blankets and other supplies. Through NY Responds, local governments can request and quickly obtain needed supplies and equipment.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019