Homeland Security (DHS) said today that they will lend their resources to the Secret Service for securing the 57th presidential inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21.
DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said:
"While the Secret Service takes the lead in securing the Inauguration, protecting an event this large and complex requires collaboration among many agencies and organizations. I want to especially thank the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Metropolitan Police Department, Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police and Washington Metro Area Transit Authority for their efforts to develop and implement this robust security plan. We are appreciative of these partnerships to keep the President, and all who come to Washington, D.C. to share in this special event, safe."
DHS' press release said that they will support security and transportation plans using the following agencies:
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has the primary responsibility for coordination of contingency planning for the 57th Presidential Inauguration and will provide consequence management readiness, coordination, response, and recovery capabilities.
- The National Protection and Programs Directorate will provide real-time integrated situational awareness and information sharing. In addition, Protective Security Advisors have conducted facility security assessments to assist in planning for the event while the Federal Protective Service will provide resources to secure Federal Buildings in the designated zones.
- The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Program Operation’s will provide support near regional airports and rail stations. TSA is also deploying Transportation Security Officers from across the country to assist the U.S. Secret Service in the screening of participants along the parade route and at select inaugural events.
- The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has primary responsibility for the coordination of maritime security planning and maritime domain awareness to protect critical transportation infrastructure. The USCG will conduct waterside security patrols; security sweeps at marinas located within the protected region, and other operations including enforcement of airspace restrictions.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement will provide pre-event planning, participation in event command centers, and response capability as required.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide multiple aerial assets to assist federal, state, and local agencies and assist with perimeter security.
On Sept. 12, 2012, Napolitano designated the upcoming inaugural activities and ceremony as a National Special Security Event. According to DHS, under this designation, the "U.S. Secret Service assumes the role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan."
"This allows the full force of the federal government to be brought to bear in the development of the event security and incident management plans, ensuring the safety of all participants," DHS said today.
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