State and local fusion centers were established in the years after the attacks of September 11th as a bottom-up response to the need for enhanced state and local connectivity to U.S. federal homeland security and counterterrorism activities. Over the past decade, nearly every state and many major urban areas have established a network of 78 fusion centers, which serve as key nodes for federal, state and local coordination on homeland security and terrorism activities.. Fusion centers also address many critical local and regional public safety issues.
The Homeland Security Policy Institute is hosting a policy forum to discuss the roles played by state and local fusion centers, examine the challenges that they face, and look ahead to priorities for the future.
The conference will feature keynote remarks by The Honorable Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, who recently released (along with former Committee Chairman Peter King) a staff report that examined the issue of state and local fusion centers.
The event will also feature a panel that will include key federal, state and local participants. A detailed agenda will be included here shortly.
