Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Division of

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 Services;
• Office of Logistics, Stockpile and State Preparedness Training Center;
• Office of Recovery Programs; and
• Office of Administration, Finance, Legal and Public Information.

DHSES has a central office in Albany, a satellite office in New York City, nine 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 FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends $1.577 billion in support for DHSES ($154.3 million in the General Fund; $1.254 billion in Special Revenue - Federal Funds; $116 million in Special Revenue - Other Funds; and $53 million in State Capital). Special Revenue appropriations increased $4.8 million from FY 2017 to support initiatives focused on cyber security, emergency preparedness, and emergency response training. Capital program includes $50 million in new appropriations to support current grants awarded through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Program and $3 million to support health and safety and preventative maintenance projects at DHSES training facilities. 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 2017.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 570 FTEs for DHSES, an increase of 98 from FY 2017 to support new initiatives within the Executive Budget.

Program Highlights

Counter Terrorism:

Begun in FY 2017, DHSES annually conducts 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.

Cyber Incident Response Team:

As outlined in the State of the State address, the Executive Budget includes funding to establish 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. Over 16,000 police, fire, EMS and other first responders are trained annually. The completed Cityscape complex is used for scenario-based and classroom training, including the Advanced Active Shooter Scenario courses. Upon completion of the Swift Water Rescue Simulator, the SPTC will begin offering training to local emergency responders from across the State.

Transportation Security Training

DHSES will conduct 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 140,000 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 expansion to Mutualink interoperability and increased GPS capability on large Stockpile assets.

Emergency Stockpiles:

DHSES operates and maintains nine 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 1/17/2017