Office of National Capital Region Coordination
Mission
In 2002, the Office of National Capital Region Coordination (NCRC) was established by Public Law 107-296, Sec. 882, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to coordinate homeland security activities relating to the National Capital Region (NCR). NCRC was created in response to the unique coordination challenges facing the NCR because of the Region's large Federal presence, including Congress, the Judiciary, the more than 270 Federal agencies, and the intersection between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Specifically, the Act gave NCRC the responsibility of:
- Overseeing and coordinating Federal programs for and relationships with State, local, and regional authorities in the NCR;
- Coordinating the activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) relating to the NCR;
- Providing State, local, and regional authorities in the NCR with information, research and technical support to assist in efforts to secure the homeland, and coordinating with these authorities and the private sector on terrorism preparedness efforts to ensure adequate planning, information sharing, training, and execution of domestic preparedness activities;
- Develop a process for receiving meaningful input from State, local, and regional authorities and the private sector in the NCR to assist in the development of the homeland security plans and activities of the Federal government; and
- Serving as a liaison between the Federal government and State, local, and regional authorities and the private sector in the NCR to facilitate access to Federal grants and other programs.
As a result of this Congressional mandate, NCRC's daily activities involve extensive interaction with representatives of Federal, State, local, and regional authorities and private and non-profit sectors in order to enhance the many homeland security efforts underway in the NCR.
Regional Coordination Activities
NCRC works closely with Federal, State and local partners to sustain a common regional approach to homeland security and address priorities, including: (1) Federal integration and coordination with NCR partners; (2) catastrophic planning; (3) regional risk-based capability development; and (4) regional governance participation and coordination. These priorities and regional strategic planning efforts underscore and address the need for greater multi-jurisdictional coordination.
- Federal Integration and Coordination with NCR Partners - The high concentration of Federal government facilities, assets, and personnel in the NCR places a premium on situational awareness and the coordination of Federal preparedness and response activities. NCRC will continue its crosscutting work within FEMA/DHS and with other Federal partners to enable unity of effort, provide decision support, facilitate the sharing of regional situational awareness and enhance integrated planning.
- Catastrophic Planning - NCRC will leverage ongoing preparedness activities to maintain and evolve multi-jurisdictional catastrophic planning processes. This includes support to State and local evacuation, sheltering and mass care planning efforts within the NCR and surrounding FEMA Region III areas.
- Regional Level Risk-Based Capacity Development - NCRC will continue its groundbreaking regional risk analysis efforts to enable NCR leaders to make informed resource allocation and capability development decisions. Additionally, NCRC will continue efforts to improve functional and technical interoperability, including communications, credentialing, operations center coordination and CBRNE protocols.
- Regional Governance Participation and Coordination - NCRC will continue to collaborate with NCR senior leaders in numerous forums and provide support in sustaining a regional governance structure for homeland security. NCRC will also continue to participate in the numerous exercises and events, including National Special Security Events, which occur in the NCR, and work to enhance planning efforts and further improve on lessons learned.
NCRC FAQ's
What is the National Capital Region? - View information about the National Capital Region.
Who are our Regional Partners? - View a representative sample of the Office's regional partners.
NCRC Articles
"Regional Risk Analysis: A Coordinated Effort" describes the development of the 2008 NCR Strategic Hazards Identification Evaluation for Leadership Decisions (NCR SHIELD) regional risk analysis, which includes both a risk assessment and strategic approach to risk management.
For more information, please contact the Office of National Capital Region Coordination at 202-212-1500.
Last Modified: Friday, 15-May-2009 10:56:10 EDT