Securing the Cities Program

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The New York City and Jersey City/Newark UASI regions (collectively referred to as NYC region throughout the remainder of this document) was selected as the first Program location because it is the highest risk region in both Government and non-government risk analysis (Willis, Henry H., et. al., Estimating Terrorism Risk, RAND Corporation, 2005). DHS intends to support State and local operations for radiological and nuclear detection through a three-phased Securing the Cities program that would provide for the implementation of rad/nuc detection capabilities in all UASI Tier I regions. The three phases are described below.Phase- DNDO provides an initial operating capability for cities that is focused on satisfying the immediate needs of States and locals to develop a rad/nuc detection capability. DNDO will assist regional partners providing an increased understanding and awareness of the nuclear threat, enhanced regional capabilities to detect and interdict radiological threats, and increased cooperation and coordination among regional jurisdictions and agencies. Initial capabilities include development of concepts of operations and alarm adjudication protocols, deployment of equipment, training and exercise support, as well as technical program assistance.Phase II - DNDO provides additional resources emphasizing development of enhanced detection, analysis, communication, and coordination functionality that better integrates State and local capabilities with Federal government activities. In this phase, DNDO will leverage capabilities established in Phase I to partner with State and local jurisdictions to ensure a national coordinated response. In addition, DNDO will work with the STC partners to define end states for DNDO direct support to S&L activities. Phase III - DNDO provides indirect support to sustain the program through alarm adjudication, training, exercise and subject matter expert support. State and local participants will maintain and increase their developed capabilities using local funds or other Federal government grant funds.This phased Securing the Cities program will enable the NYC region to become more integrated into the domestic Global Nuclear Detection Architecture with continued funding to build out the mobile portion of their architecture with greater federal oversight and concurrence of program decisions. NYC is now entering phase two and as such funding assistance is necessary to provide the ability for all regional stakeholders to continue to implement regional PRND operational capabilities along roadway, light and heavy rail, and maritime pathways. DNDO anticipates phase II activities in the NYC region to last approximately 4 years.

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