DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said America’s firefighters are truly the face of homeland security.
Addressing about 1,800 at the annual CFSI Fire and Emergency Services dinner Thursday night, Napolitano told them she holds fire and rescue personnel in high regard.
She said she understands sharing of information on threats is essential for the safety of responders, and vowed that her office will continue to keep the lines of communication open.
With that, she announced a move to officially make the fire service an official partner in fusion centers, a clearinghouse for terrorist information.
Fusion centers — recommended following the federal investigation of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — are staffed by federal employees.
Napolitano encouraged responders to keep their eyes and ears open for suspicious activity.
Not entirely true. As a matter of fact our Fusion Center is run and staffed by the State Police and augmented by some federal employees who partner with the State and run queries through their federal databases.