Homeland Security Preparedness Survey

Transcription

1 An Executive Summary Homeland Security Preparedness Survey Commissioned by: The International Association of Chiefs of Police The Situation The events of September 11, 2001, changed the lives of all Americans. For those individuals whose mission it is to protect America, their lives and jobs changed significantly. Law enforcement professionals always have been tasked with preserving the safety of their communities, but the nature of the September 11 terrorist acts revealed some of the worst-case scenarios a community can experience and that they are completely possible. The nature and scale of potential incidents were expanded greatly, and thus law enforcement s role as protectors was made much more difficult and complex. Not only are law enforcement professionals typically the first responders at the scene of any incident, but also they are the ones charged with preventing these incidents from ever occurring in the first place, through activities such as surveillance and intelligence gathering. With the now plausible threats of terrorism, preventing such incidents demands more brainpower, more manpower and more collaboration than ever before. To help prevent another terrorist attack, it is critical that America s law enforcement community is. It needs the appropriate funding, equipment, training, interagency communication mechanisms and perhaps most importantly, the confidence to secure our nation s communities effectively. With the nature of its mission and the world s current events, the International Association of Chiefs of Police s (IACP) Patrol and Tactical Operations (PTO) Committee, with participation by the Division of State & Provincial Police (S&P) and the Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP), gathered intelligence via a needs assessment survey to determine levels of ness and needs of local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to handle a disastrous event, such as a terrorist attack, riot or major natural disaster. The Tool ITT Industries Night Vision volunteered to sponsor the needs assessment survey, and the PTO committee, S&P and SACOP divisions worked with an independent research firm to create a questionnaire that would quantify what America s law enforcement officials have done and what they need to do to preserve homeland security. Specifically, the survey sought to meet the following objectives: Gain perspective on how agencies have responded to the September 11 attacks; Comprehend the resources necessary for law enforcement agencies to be adequately to prevent and respond to terrorism; and Understand the collaboration efforts that law enforcement agencies have taken to work with other community organizations. Page 1

2 The Methodology The survey, accompanied by a letter from IACP President Chief Joseph Samuels Jr., was distributed to more than 17,000 local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. A high subject awareness and motivated population contributed to a greater than expected response rate. More than 4,500 surveys were completed and returned, which yielded a 25.4 percent response rate much higher than the average percent rate. The demographic make-up of the respondent base was almost identical to that of law enforcement agencies in the United States, with more than 75 percent of the participating agencies representing communities with populations of 50,000 or less. Key Findings A copy of the data charts and the questionnaire can be found in the Appendix. Following are seven key findings that the survey uncovered. Key Finding #1: Without additional resources, such as funding, communications, training and equipment, police executives do not feel their front-line agencies are ready to protect the country against another attack similar to that of Sept. 11, Nine of every 10 responding agencies do not feel adequately to prevent or respond to a terrorist act. Key Finding #2: Law enforcement agencies have increased their roles and responsibilities since September 11 but have not yet received increased funding. More than 80 percent of agencies have tried to increase their ness after the September 11 attacks by actions such as: purchasing new equipment, increasing training, increasing manpower, enhancing ness plans and creating partnerships. Only 10 percent of agencies have secured additional funding since September 11. Key Finding #3: Law enforcement agencies are differentiated from other emergency responders because of their role in the prevention of incidents, but agencies feel much more to respond to rather than prevent a terrorist attack. 71 percent of respondents are somewhat un or not at all to prevent a terrorist act, while only 44 percent say they are somewhat un or not at all to respond to a terrorist act. Key Finding #4: Law enforcement agencies need appropriate equipment more than anything else to prevent or respond to a terrorist attack effectively. 82 percent of respondents said appropriate equipment (the number one answer) when asked what they need most to prevent and respond to a terrorist attack. 90 percent of respondents called chemical-related equipment a very or somewhat urgent need, and six other types of equipment are deemed very urgent or somewhat urgent by at least 70 percent or more of the agencies. Following chemical-related equipment, law enforcement agencies need the following types of equipment most: Interoperable Data Communications Systems (81 percent) Surveillance (79 percent) Page 2

3 Interoperable Voice Communications (78 percent) Tactical (74 percent); and Individual Health Monitoring Devices (70 percent). Key Finding #5: In order to be for terrorist attacks, law enforcement professionals need more specialized training, specifically for line personnel. When asked what they need most to prevent or respond to a terrorist attack, the second most common answer (72 percent of respondents) was increased specialized training. The most urgently needed training (94 percent of respondents) is critical incident response training for line personnel, and nearly 70 percent of respondents or more cite 11 other types of training as very urgent or somewhat urgent. In every area where respondents were asked to rate the urgency of training for line personnel and leaders, agencies always rated the line training as more urgent. Key Finding #6: While agencies have worked with other local emergency responders for disaster ness since September 11, there is a significant opportunity to increase collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and state/federal entities and corporate partners. When asked what groups they had worked with for disaster ness since September 11, 81 percent of the agencies said Fire/EMS/Search and Rescue. 53 percent have collaborated with state officials. 40 percent and 24 percent have worked with the FBI and FEMA respectively. Only 10 percent of law enforcement agencies say they have worked with corporate partners for disaster ness. Key Finding #7: Law enforcement agencies would benefit from increased communication with other agencies, which would necessitate new equipment and systems. was the top answer (68 percent) when agencies were asked to identify the largest barrier to communicating with other agencies. 70 percent of respondents say they would join a standardized, interoperable voice and data communications network if it were available. Page 3

4 The Next Steps The survey data indicate that the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies nationwide have increased, but they have received few additional resources to help them meet their expanded roles. And this lack of resources has affected their confidence, as very few agencies feel adequately to prevent or respond to a terrorist act or other major disaster. Law enforcement professionals are supposed to serve as the guardians of America s communities, but it is difficult for them to perform their jobs when, currently, they do not feel they can protect their communities adequately or reassure their communities honestly. With the needs assessment research completed, there is now a blueprint as to how to improve law enforcement s ness. At a minimum, America s law enforcement professionals need better equipment; specialized training; and greater communication/ collaboration amongst each other and other entities. While some of these steps can be made through process or procedure, most of the necessary action items will demand funding. Additional resources always will be difficult to obtain, but there is no more critical time than the present to ensure that law enforcement professionals are to protect America s communities. It will be necessary to develop a ness plan based on these findings and to gain the backing of key government officials and other partners who will commit to supporting this plan and seeing these survey numbers go in the opposite direction. Chief Gerald Galloway, chairman of the PTO committee, presented these findings at the committee s mid-year meeting in April. The committee recommended using the data as follows: Inform police chiefs nationwide about the results as far in advance as possible, and keep them updated as to progress made toward obtaining necessary resources. Share survey findings with key government officials. o Meet with key officials in targeted agencies (e.g., Department of Homeland Security) to discuss results. o Hand-deliver executive summary to targeted list of officials. Determine appropriate education and training opportunities and related projects. o Identify best practices nationwide in incident response and prevention and share with chiefs through a session at the IACP annual conference, through the IACP Web site and through an article in Police Chief magazine. o Share training data with the IACP Education and Training Committee. Page 4

5 APPENDIX Page 5

6 SAMPLE PROFILE There were a total of 4,538 survey respondents. The following shows the breakdown of respondents according to agency type and associated population. Type of Agency # of Respondents % of Total Sample Federal % State % Local Over 250,000 residents 100,001 to 250,000 residents 50,001 to 100,000 residents 20,001 to 50,000 residents Less than 20,000 residents % % % % 2, % Other % Total 4, REGION-WISE BREAKDOWN OF RESPONDENT PROFILE The Midwest had the highest number of responses followed by the the South and the Northeast. The Western region had relatively lower participation West 14% WA MT OR WA WY NV WA CO CA AZ NM ND SD NE KS TX Midwest 33% OK MN IA MO AR WI IL IN TN KY MS LA AL MI OH GA SC NC PA WV VA NY VT NH MA MA RI CT NJ DE MD DC Northeast 26% AK FL HI South 27% 7. Page 6

7 CHANGE IN LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS SINCE SEPTEMBER 11 TH Since September 11 th, a significant portion of law enforcement agencies have increased levels of ness. 10 Level of Preparedness Since September 11th (Q1) % 5 2 More Prepared About The Same Less Prepared 5% 8. IMPROVING PREPAREDNESS Training was seen as the most beneficial tool for agencies in improving their emergency ness. 10 Most Beneficial Emergency Preparedness Steps/Tools (Q18) % 36% 2 8% Training Increased Communications Purchased Other * Note - Top two Other" responses were (1) Planning and (2) Partnerships with different local organizations (e.g. Fire Dept, local police agencies, Sheriff s office etc.) 9. Page 7

8 AGENCY RESPONSE TO SEPTEMBER 11 TH Since September 11 th, nearly 5 of all respondents identified that their agencies have increased specialized training, enhanced ness plans and created partnerships. 10 Agency Response To September 11th (Q8) % 47% 2 35% 33% 18% 1 7% 5% Increased Specialized Training Enhanced Existing Preparedness Plans Created Partnerships Purchased New Implemented New Preparedness Plans No Changes Secured Additional Funding Increased Personnel/ Manpower Other * Note - Top two Other" responses were (1) Requested additional funding and (2) Increased awareness of possible threats 10. BUDGET IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER 11 TH September 11 th may have served as a wake-up call to agencies to improve their ability to react to threats, but the majority of the responding law enforcement agencies stated that they have seen no budget increases. See Appendix I for demographic breakdown 10 Where Agencies Have Seen Significant Budget Increases (Q9) % 2 27% 2 18% 15% 8% 4% We Have Seen No Increases At All Training Increases Specialized Expenses Overtime Expenses General Costs Community Outreach Efforts Don't Know Training Training is is the the top top area area where where the the budget budget has has been been increased increased 11. Page 8

9 FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE EQUIPMENT Specifically, in the area of emergency ness and response equipment, nearly half of the agencies identified that there have been no increases in funding. 10 Sources Of Funding For Emergency Preparedness And Response Since September 11th (Q10) % No Increase In Funding 35% 27% 13% Federal State Local (City, Town, County) 3% Private The The federal federal government government has has been been the the source source of of most most funding funding for for Emergency Emergency Preparedness Preparedness and and Response Response,, with with reduced reduced funding funding at at lower lower levels levels of of government government 12. FUNDING ALLOCATION For agencies that have secured additional funding, it has been allocated to other areas besides training and equipment. While a majority of the respondents did not specify what other referred to, a few of them identified it as planning 10 8 Allocation Of Additional Funding (Q11) % 35% 27% 13% 3% Other Training Staff Facilities 13. Page 9

10 CURRENT LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS Despite the increase in levels of ness, most agencies still felt un to prevent or even respond properly to a terrorist threat. Agencies felt that they were more to handle relatively familiar threats such as natural disasters and bomb threats How Prepared Do You Think Your Agency Is? (Q2,3,4,5,6) % 33% 28% 1% To Prevent A Terrorist Act 13% 31% 52% 54% 16% 1% 4% 4% To Respond To A Terrorist Act 7% 5% 2% 2% 7% 5% 15% 13% 23% Demonstrations & Civil Disorders 54% 6 26% 25% Bomb Threat Natural Disaster Not At All Prepared Somewhat Un Somewhat Prepared Adequately Prepared Only Only 1% 1% of of responding responding agencies agencies felt felt adequately adequately to to handle handle a a terrorist terrorist threat threat 14. CURRENT LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS (Cont d) Overall 75% of those responding felt that their agency was un to respond to a terrorist attack or weapons of mass destruction Level of Preparedness For the Following Situations On a Scale of 1 to 5 (one being not at all and five being very ) (Q7) 51% 45% 6% 17% 35% 34% 3 32% 31% 38% 3% 5% 2% 2% 14% 16% 3% 2% 5% 2% 11% 13% Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorist Attack Using Destructive Means Demonstrations And Civil Disorders 3% 3% 3% 3% 12% 1 Natural Disaster 28% 36% 23% Barricaded Suspect Or Hostage Incident 1 Not At All Prepared Very Prepared A large large number number of of agencies agencies did did not not feel feel that that they they were were very very for for demonstrations, demonstrations, natural natural disasters disasters or or hostage hostage incidents incidents 15. Page 10

11 TOP PRIORITIES FOR DISASTER OR TERRORIST ATTACK The top item required by agencies to respond to/prevent a disaster or terrorist attack was equipment. Top Items Agencies Need To Prevent and Respond To A Disaster Or Terrorist Attack (Q12) % 72% 6 52% 47% 45% 2 Appropriate Increased Specialized Training Additional Personnel Greater Communication With Other Agencies Better Intelligence 3% Other 16. TRAINING PRIORITIES Law enforcement agencies placed the highest priority on critical incident response training for line personnel and leaders. Results showed that agencies felt that line personnel training was more urgent than leader training 10 Training Priorities (Q13) 8 6% 11% 12% 12% 12% 13% 24% 29% 29% 3 32% 34% 6 47% 49% 51% 55% 49% 51% 5 55% 46% 45% 49% 51% Not Urgent Somewhat Urgent Very Urgent 2 47% 37% 33% 39% 36% 26% 16% 25% 25% 19% 15% CIR - Line CIR - HAZMAT/ Community Resp. - Resp. - Mgmt. IT Mgmt. Team - Team - WoMD WoMD Intel Basic Tactical Tactical Personnel Response Prep Line Leaders & Anal. Line Leader Leaders WoMD Personnel Personnel Tech Surveillance Crowd Control/ Civil Disturb. 17. Page 11

12 EQUIPMENT PRIORITIES Agencies felt that their greatest equipment need was chemical-related equipment. Agency Needs (Q14) % 18% 19% 21% 22% 26% % 42% 43% 35% 39% 46% Not Urgent Somewhat Urgent Very Urgent 2 55% 39% 39% 36% 43% 35% 24% Chemical Protective Chemical/ HAZMAT Detection Interop Data Comm Systems Surveillance Interop Voice Comm Tactical Individual Health Monitoring 18. INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION Collaboration with other agencies has mostly occurred with fire/ems followed by local schools and state officials. Disaster Preparedness Collaboration Since September 11 (Q15) Fire/EMS/Search and Rescue 81% Local Schools 58% State Officials 53% Nearby Regions/Jurisdictions 5 Local Hospitals/Medical Community 44% FBI Office of Homeland Security/ State Homeland Securi FEMA 28% 24% Transportation Officials 18% Airports/FAA 15% Centers for Disease Control 1 Corporate Partnerships 1 Others * Note - Top two Other" responses were (1) local military organizations (e.g., Coast Guard, National Guard etc.) and (2) county agencies focusing on emergency preparation 19. Page 12

13 COMMUNICATION BARRIERS Law enforcement agencies identified equipment as the largest barrier to communicating with other agencies. 10 Most Significant Barriers To Inter-agency Communication (Q16) 8 68% % 28% 2 17% Lack of Standards Policy Geography Other* * Note - Top two Other" responses were Funding (3.3% of total) and Manpower (1.2% of total) 20. COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Even though communications wasn t the highest need that agencies identified, they were very willing to join a communications network Willingness to Join Standardized, Interoperable Voice and Data Communications Network (Q17) % 1% Yes Don't Know No 21. Page 13

14 PREPAREDNESS SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Name: What agency do you represent? Police Department Sheriff s Office State law enforcement agency Federal Agency Other (please specify) City, State: What is the size of the population your agency represents? Less than 20,000 residents 20,001 to 50,000 residents 50,001 to 100,000 residents 100,001 to 250,000 residents 250,001+ residents 1. Would you say your agency is more or less for potential disasters after September 11, 2001? More About the same Less 2. How do you think your agency is to prevent a terrorist act, such as the one that occurred on September 11, 2001? Adequately un Not at all 3. How do you feel your agency is to respond to a terrorist act? Adequately un Not at all 4. How do you feel your agency is for demonstrations and civil disorders? Adequately un Not at all 5. How do you feel your agency is for a natural disaster? Adequately un Not at all 6. How do you feel your agency is for a bomb threat or other explosive related incidents? Adequately un Not at all 7. Please rate your level of ness for the following situations on a scale of 1 to 5 (one being not at all and five being very ). Weapons of mass destruction, including biological, nuclear, chemical and conventional explosives designed to cause massive causalities Terrorist attack using bombs, planes, vehicles or other destructive means Barricaded suspect or hostage incident Natural disaster Demonstrations and civil disorders Other (please explain) Not applicable Page 14

15 8. How has your agency responded to the September 11, 2001, attacks? (Mark all that apply) Increased specialized training Created partnerships Purchased new equipment Increased personnel/manpower Implemented new ness Secured additional funding plans Other. Please explain. Enhanced existing ness plans No changes 9. Please mark all areas where your agency has seen significant budget increases as a result of September 11. Overtime expenses General equipment costs Training increases We have seen no increases at all Specialized equipment expenses Don t know Community outreach efforts 10. Since September 11, where have you seen an increase in funding for emergency ness and response equipment? (Mark all that apply) Federal Private State No increase in funding Local (city, town, county) 11. If your agency has secured additional funding, for what purpose did it secure the funding? (Mark all that apply) Training Staff Other Facilities 12. What are the three items your agency needs most to be better to prevent and respond to a disaster or terrorist attack? Increased specialized training Additional personnel Greater communication with other Better intelligence agencies Other Appropriate equipment 13. Please rate the priority of each of the following training topics for your department, according to the urgency of need. Very Somewhat Not Urgent Urgent Urgent Critical incident response training for leaders Critical incident response training for line personnel Weapons of mass destruction response training for leaders Weapons of mass destruction response training for line personnel Tactical team leader training Tactical team line personnel training Intelligence management and analysis training Technical surveillance training Crowd control and civil disturbance training Basic information technology management training HAZMAT/Weapons of mass destruction incident response training Community ness training Page 15 Confidential Draft Copy

16 14. Please rate your department s need for the following types of equipment, according to the urgency of need. Very Somewhat Urgent Urgent Chemical/HAZMAT detection equipment (i.e. chemical analysis, passive sensors) Surveillance equipment (i.e., covert video/audio equipment, overt CCTV equipment, tactical imaging such as thermal and night vision) Tactical equipment (i.e. ballistic shields, lethal and less lethal weaponry, armored vehicles) Interoperable voice communications equipment (i.e. dispatch, portable and vehicle radio systems) Interoperable data communications systems (i.e. wired and wireless data networks) Chemical protective equipment (i.e. chemical suits, boots, gloves, self-contained breathing apparatus equipment) Individual health monitoring (i.e. vital signs, blood pressure, temperature) 15. What groups have you worked with for disaster ness since September 11? (Mark all that apply) Local schools Centers for Disease Control Transportation officials FEMA Airports/FAA Office of Homeland Security/State Local hospitals/medical community Homeland Security FBI representatives State officials Corporate Partnerships Nearby regions/jurisdictions Others. Please list Fire/EMS/Search and Rescue 16. Since September 11, what are the two most significant barriers to interagency communication that your agency has encountered? Policy Lack of standards Other (please write in) Geography 17. If available, would your agency be willing to join a standardized, interoperable voice and data communications network? Yes No Don t know Not Urgent 18. What tool(s) have you used or what steps have you taken that have benefited you most with emergency ness? (Mark all that apply) Purchased equipment Training Increased communications Other Page 16 Confidential Draft Copy

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