John DeStefano's Strategy for Protecting Connecticut  

Connecticut needs homeland security protection that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Governor Rell has been "missing in action" on homeland security, and Connecticut is more vulnerable as a result.  Over the past two years, federal funding for Connecticut's homeland security has dropped nearly 60% by some accounts and by as much as Jodi Rell has not once testified before Congress on Connecticut's homeland security needs - in fact, there is no evidence that she has ever visited Washington D.C. to lobby for Connecticut's homeland security needs.  Her absence has facilitated President Bush's and the Republican Congress' efforts to undermine Connecticut's Homeland Security apparatus.

Meanwhile, Governor Rell has been absent and uninvolved in getting money to first preventers and first responders.  In August 2006, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management Services and Homeland Security was still attempting to distribute money from FY2004 for municipalities.  Major cities, like Stamford, with substantial economic infrastructure and other security risks no longer expect support from the state to address high risk homeland security needs because distribution of funding has been years behind schedule.

While funding has been slashed, Connecticut is also taking a limited strategy for protecting its citizens.  Governor Rell's decision to divert funds to create the Connecticut Intelligence Center reflects a very limited view of homeland security that conceives of homeland security as exclusively a law enforcement issue.  Homeland security not just about law enforcement - it's about bringing together everyone involved in preventing and responding to disasters.  This incomplete strategy has limited the involvement of first preventers, first responders, and other key partners.  The holes in the strategy have already appeared:

 

Ø     In early December 2005, Connecticut homeland security officials went more than two hours without knowing that a series of bomb threats had forced the evacuation and shutdown of the state's 45 courthouses.

Ø     In June 2005, an intoxicated 20-year-old man stole a small plane from Danbury Municipal Airport and flew it to New York City.

Where was Jodi Rell?  Absent and uninvolved.

With real leadership from the governor's office, Connecticut will achieve the coordination and funding that it needs to protect its citizens - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Unfortunately, this leadership has been lacking.  Rell has proposed state budget cuts for Homeland Security despite surpluses, has failed to lobby Congress or the White House for additional funds, has left critical infrastructure unprotected and has failed to build the tools necessary to keep Connecticut safe.

In these times, Connecticut needs a 24/7 governor - we need John DeStefano.

In New Haven, John DeStefano has already taken major steps to improve his city's security.  John DeStefano, as Mayor of a city with critical public infrastructure, an international shipping port, and world renowned institutions, has been a leader locally and nationally in ensuring homeland security:

 

Ø     Over 300 New Haven government officials have been trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for responding to a major crisis.

Ø     Traveled to Washington D.C., testified before Congress, met with former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, and conducted nationally televised interviews to lobby the federal government for more funding for local first responders when John DeStefano was President of the National League of Cities.

Ø     Purchased equipment and trained personnel to respond to a dirty nuclear bomb, a chemical or biological incident.

Ø     Established a system for communicating using satellite phones in the event of a collapse of the standard communications system during a crisis.

Ø     Developed the ability to respond to marine crises using a zodiac boat with dive equipment.

Ø     Added electronic surveillance to New Haven Port to expand its protection.

Ø     Compiled a registry of citizens who identified themselves as having special needs during a crisis so that additional resources can be allocated to those who need them most.

Ø     Developed mutual assistance agreements with mayors in other towns so that cities will be prepared to help each other in a crisis if the state is unable to do so.

Ø     Committed staff to the Urban Search and Rescue program to respond to collapsed buildings and other urban crises.

In the following homeland security strategy document, John DeStefano lays out his strategy for strengthening Connecticut's homeland security.  We will:

Ø     Build a Connecticut Information Sharing and Analysis Center that rapidly disseminates information to first responders, businesses, medical professionals, and the federal government in the event of a crisis, and that is a 24/7 nerve center for homeland security.

Ø     Lobby Congress - in person and by assembling experts - for an increase in federal homeland security funding.

Ø     Develop a comprehensive strategy for cyber security to protect the critical electronic infrastructure in Connecticut.

Ø     Pass stricter and enforceable standards for chemical plant security and oversight of hazardous chemical facilities

Ø     Ensure that all funds appropriated for use by local municipalities are received by those municipalities within the fiscal year - not years later.

Governor Rell's Failure as an Advocate for Connecticut Security

Since 2004, federal Homeland Security funding for Connecticut has decreased from $45.5 million to $13.5 million.  Using the stricter accounting standards employed by the Hartford Courant, Connecticut's homeland security funding has dropped from just over $20 million to slightly over $2 million. Meanwhile, other states that neighbor New York City have experienced far less drastic cuts.

During this time, the Governor has not been actively involved in lobbying Congress for additional funds.  Other Governors, such as Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Jon Corzine of New Jersey have traveled to Washington D.C. to make the case for their states, but Jodi Rell has not.  And, while public safety and homeland security commissioners from New York and Massachusetts gave testimony on homeland security in their states, Jodi Rell's Commissioner for Emergency Management and Homeland Security, James Thomas, has not lobbied for more appropriate funding.  This lack of attention has clear impacts as Connecticut has seen cuts 10 times those of New Jersey; while New York has seen increases.

Other major incoming grants have also left Connecticut with severely insufficient funding for its homeland security needs.  Of the $37.5 million appropriated for rail security on lines serving New York City, Connecticut received $510,000 - approximately 1%.  This level of funding threatens to make Connecticut the most vulnerable point in the network of rails serving New York City.

Homeland Security has not been a funding priority for Governor Rell. The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has relied on federal funds for positions and other expenses, and as those funds have been slashed by $1.75 million (the State portion of the larger cuts), Governor Rell has allowed those cuts to stand.  Despite these cuts, the Governor's 06-07 Midterm Adjustment also recommends cutting $200,000 in forward funding for the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Without any accountability or leadership from the governor's office, what money has been gathered is distributed far too slowly to keep Connecticut prepared for the latest threats.  It has taken over two years to get funding distributed to local municipalities.  In August 2006, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security was still appropriating money to municipalities from FY2004.

-- page break -- Create a Connecticut Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Integrate First Responders, Businesses and Medical Professionals

Homeland security is everyone's responsibility - not just law enforcement's.  To protect Connecticut we need everyone involved - from local police and firefighters to the heads of major corporations and medical professionals.  Jodi Rell's homeland security center - the Connecticut Intelligence Center - is a start, but it is not nearly sufficient.  Located alongside the FBI's Field Intelligence Group, the Connecticut Intelligence Center is a law enforcement program - what Connecticut needs is an overall homeland security coordination center.

Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) have been constructed at the state and federal level throughout the United States, but Connecticut has not achieved one.  Under this proposal, Connecticut would have one center where all information would be gathered and disseminated in the event of a crisis - not just law enforcement information.  The Connecticut ISAC would bring together local public officials, business owners, medical professionals, technology security experts, public utility managers, military officials and other controllers of critical infrastructure to ensure that accurate information is disseminated quickly so that first preventers and first responders can take appropriate action. At the current stage, no coordinated strategy exists for communicating quickly and clearly with these private sector partners in the event of a crisis.  If Connecticut's own homeland security staff doesn't know about bomb threats, like those earlier this year at the state's courthouses, then private sector partners are certainly left out of the loop.

Approximately 85% of Connecticut's critical infrastructure is owned by private businesses and companies, but they are poorly integrated into our homeland security strategy.  Reports by the Department of Homeland Security from the terrorist drill TOPOFF 3, an exercise completed under former Governor Rowland, indicate that the private sector was insufficiently involved in the response to a simulated crisis.  The private sector is a partner in homeland security and Connecticut needs to provide it the resources needed to be effective.  Unfortunately the state still has not taken the required actions make this possible.

Connecticut also lacks a homeland security center that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the ability to assist first preventers and responders.  Crises can occur at any time and in any place, and we need to be prepared to provide the response.  The Connecticut ISAC would be fully operational 24/7 - ready for the citizens of Connecticut.

Pass Stricter and Enforceable Chemical Security Standards

George W. Bush and the federal government have failed to provide enforceable standards for chemical plant security for the past five years, making chemical plants a primary vulnerability for our state and our nation.  Unfortunately, Jodi Rell has not taken the lead - she has just gone alone with George Bush's failed policies.  Under Jodi Rell, Connecticut has done nothing meaningful to improve security at Connecticut's 191 chemical facilities.  The chemical industry employs over 17,000 people in Connecticut and those citizens deserve security.  As well, any incident at a chemical facility like a chlorine tank, would leave thousands of Connecticut families at immediate risk of illness or even death. Last year, New Jersey passed effective legislation in this area, requiring inherently safer chemicals and increasing security standards for very hazardous chemicals.  It is time for Connecticut to stop falling behind its neighbors.

To secure our chemical plants, John DeStefano would:

Ø     Ensure that each chemical plant's security is assessed and those chemical plants with security gaps receive assistance to secure their facilities.

Ø     Require that every chemical facility review the potential for using safer chemicals and technology in their processes - a commonsense step that George W. Bush and Jodi Rell have not taken.

Ø     Provide sufficient staffing to ensure that once security standards are reached that they are maintained in each facility.
 

Take the Case for Better Federal Funding to Washington D.C.

Jodi Rell has been absent and uninvolved while Connecticut's funding has been slashed.   Other states have sent their governors and commissioners to Washington D.C. to make the case in person for better funding and more resources.  Jodi Rell and her commissioners have not.  It's time to be proactive about protecting Connecticut.  As Governor, John DeStefano will be ready to do whatever it takes to secure more homeland security funding to equip and train our first responders appropriately.

Develop a Cybersecurity Strategy for Connecticut

In October 2005, Governor Rell's cyber security initiative consisted of posting a series of recommendations for safe Internet use.  This approach was passive and insufficient for Connecticut's needs.  It followed Rell's pattern of being absent and uninvolved when Connecticut's homeland security demands proactive outreach and coordination.

Other states, from Arkansas to New York, have developed active working groups that include representatives from chemical, financial, food, health, telecommunications and utilities sectors.  Each sector has its own working group to assess the critical technology infrastructure and to work in public-private partnerships to strengthen and protect that infrastructure.  Without leadership from the Governor's office, Connecticut has fallen far behind in its cybersecurity preparedness.

It is especially perplexing that Governor Rell has not taken a lead on cyber security given the heavy reliance of Connecticut's economy on electronic communications, data warehousing, and high speed computer applications.  If Connecticut's future is reliant on a knowledge economy, we cannot have a governor who does not recognize the need to protect the very technology that makes Connecticut's economy possible whether in the insurance industry, biotechnology companies, computer science or institutions of higher learning - all of which Connecticut is famous for.

As Governor, John DeStefano would:

Ø     Immediately convene working groups in public-private partnerships to ensure the protection of Connecticut's cyber infrastructure.

Ø     Disseminate advisories through the proposed Connecticut Information Sharing and Analysis Center about emerging cyber security threats so that businesses can prepare themselves.

Ø     Provide voluntary assessments of businesses cyber-security preparedness and assistance in strengthening their practices and procedures.
 

Address Concerns About Security at Millstone Nuclear Plant

In our most serious vulnerabilities, Connecticut is being too lax about ensuring security.  At Millstone Nuclear Plant, security tests are conducted with six months' warning according to the nonpartisan Project on Government Oversight.  In February 2006, state investigators discovered "sufficient grounds" to believe that managers at Millstone Nuclear Power Station retaliated against a whistleblower who raised concerns about vulnerabilities and problems with Millstone's electronic security systems.  We cannot afford to be lax when the stakes are so high.

As Governor, John DeStefano would:

Ø     Immediately establish a program for more stringent testing of Millstone Nuclear Power Station that would include unannounced testing.

Ø     Work with the managers of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station to replace or upgrade the electronic safety system.

Ø     Construct a perimeter security system that extends into the waters around the Millstone Nuclear Power Station to protect from an attack from the water.

 

Establish Proactive Long-Term Mass Transit Security

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Connecticut is located at the gateway to New England and ensuring the safety of our transit systems is essential for protecting our people and our economy.  The goods and services that pass through Connecticut keep New England running, but also mean that Connecticut is a potential target for those seeking to harm our economy.  Rail stations need to have 24/7 protection - not just after-the-threat reactions.  Recent plots in London and Madrid have shown that mass transit systems are prime targets for terrorist.  In 2004, a television news crew entered the New Haven rail yard, the largest rail facility in the state, at 3 a.m. and found no security or police protecting trains that carry approximately 40,000 commuters each day.  The state has made some improvements since then, but it has still not developed a long-term strategy for protecting our mass transit facilities.  As we grow our mass transit system in Connecticut, we need to be ready and able to fund adequate security.  With over 100,000 people commuting to New York each day using Connecticut rails, the Rell administration has done a poor job of focusing on long-term transit security needs.  The 2005 Transit Security Grant provided over $37 million to Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, but Rell administration negotiators secured only approximately 1% of that grant for Connecticut.  While Governor Rell has followed procedures following transit threats, she has not proposed any proactive long-term plans.  A strategy for transit security is desperately needed, and Governor Rell does not have one.

John DeStefano's strategy for transit security will be to:

Ø     Provide enhanced transit security training to local law enforcement officials to that local and state law enforcement can work together seamlessly before, during, and after elevated threats.

Ø     Develop perimeter protection for rail stations that handle hazardous cargo and materials.

Ø     Ensure that there is security around-the-clock at commuter stops where rail cars and buses are stored overnight.

 Institute Coordinated Port and Ferry Security

 Connecticut has major ports that have strategic value for our state and the rest of New England.  New Haven's harbor has the second largest heating oil reserve in the Northeast.  Connecticut protects a jet fuel pipline that carries approximately 2.7 million gallons of petroleum liquids per year for airbases around New England.  Ferries coming from Bridgeport and New London carry thousands of passengers and vehicles between Connecticut and Long Island each year.  Currently, port security is overseen by a range of different agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Connecticut Maritime Commission, private companies operating sections of our ports and ferries, and other government agencies.

 To provide effective security for our ports and ferries, John DeStefano will:

 Ø     Centralize decision-making for each port so that information and policies are consistent rather that being fractured across many agencies.

Ø     Share information on security strategies and best practices between each of Connecticut's major ports.

Ø     Press the federal government for adequate federal funding for ports and ferries

It's time for a Governor who will stand up to Bush, work hard for Connecticut, and keep our families safe.