Private Sector Preparedness and Response in Boston: DHS for a Day X

The Private Sector Office hosted the tenth DHS for a Day on August 1^st, in Boston, Massachusetts.  This ongoing initiative is one example of DHS’ commitment to collaborating with the private sector to share best practices and build valuable partnerships to keep our communities and businesses safer.  The event highlighted opportunities for our private sector partners to support efforts to make our nation more prepared and resilient through programs like the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification (PS-Prep) Program and trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry or TSA Pre✓™ .

 The day began at U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, where participants received briefings on the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection Protective Security Advisor program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s, Emergency Management Institute (EMI).  Founded over 60 years ago, EMI provides emergency response training to over two million public and private stakeholders each year on topics ranging from how to build public private partnerships, to how to develop and manage volunteers.  Following these presentations, participants were briefed on the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission and role in emergency response and port security.

In the afternoon, participants traveled to Conley Terminal at the Boston Seaport, where Customs and Border Protection officials briefed them on the role DHS plays in border security, travel and trade facilitation.

Finally, participants went to Logan International Airport to observe several TSA risk based security initiatives, including TSA Pre✓™.   

It is our hope participants left the tenth installment of DHS for a Day with a better understanding of the Department’s mission.  As we plan the next event, we will look for new ways to continue to strengthen our partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders.