The federal Department of Homeland Security, Office for Domestic Preparedness offers assistance with the development of regional information exchange networks. ODP sponsored a trip to Los Angeles to see the Terrorism Early Warning system they have developed. Several Urban Area Working Group members attended to learn about this model.

The Information Dissemination Group met to discuss how to develop a TEW in the Urban Area. Shortly thereafter, the Alameda County Sheriff and Contra Costa County Sheriff started discussions about developing a shared terrorism information network. The Group postponed further meetings until the two Sheriffs had agreed on the concept of a shared TEW. This has since occurred.

The goal of the TEW is to achieve multi-discipline, multi-agency representation. Representatives from the City of Oakland, Alameda County and Contra Costa County have determined the following personnel assignments:

The Information Dissemination Advisory Committee will reconvene to provide guidance and input on information flow, methods of reporting and disseminating information, and recommendations for non-law enforcement personnel, such as Fire, Health, and EMS.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Sheriff’s Offices will have ultimate responsibility to sustain this unit. Because of this, representatives from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office recommend 5-6 positions be funded by the UASI grant for the purpose of facilitating the flow of information and to fund the equipment, infrastructure, and support costs required to set up an effective office.

Additionally, the TEW program will seek funds from the Law Enforcement Terrorism Protection Program (LETPP) Grants awarded to Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in the amount of $250,000 from each county. These funds will be used for additional TEW positions as recommended by the UASI Information Dissemination Advisory Committee and approved by the each county’s approval authority.

SPENDING PLAN:

APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005.

For additional information, please contact the Homeland Security Program Coordinator Susan F. Newton at (510) 238-2985 or snewton@oaklandnet.com.