2014 Digital Yearbook of Homeland Security Awards

da. A similar accident could occur in the United States but
neighbors along freight rail routes aren’t being formally
consulted about ways to improve rail safety and security.
The lack of stakeholder involvement in rail security
plans was highlighted in a Council of the District of
Columbia hearing last year. According to the Washington
Post, neighbors testified that they weren’t notified about
the hazardous materials that are being routinely transported
through the community. Local DC officials stated that
they couldn’t share the data because it is sensitive information.
At the same time, DC officials testified that they
hadn’t conducted rail emergency exercises in several
years. In addition, local officials also testified that they
needed to update rail vulnerability assessments. The
problem with these answers is that the Implementing Recommendations
of the 9/11 Commission Act requires rail
carriers to submit rail security plans to DHS for review and
DHS is supposed to consult local officials when reviewing
these plans. If local authorities don’t have an up-to-date
list of vulnerabilities, how is DHS supposed to know if the
security plans are adequate?
Broadening the definition of transportation stakeholder
to include local individuals who live and work next
to transportation lines will ensure that local agencies are
providing quality input. Neighbors know the area, they
will be on-scene when the accident occurs, and including
them in the planning stages will help post-incident
recovery. Additionally, neighborhood involvement will put
pressure on local agencies to maintain accurate risk assessment
information.
Please note that the situation in Washington, DC
is not an anomaly. Neighbors around the country are
expressing similar concerns and DHS should take the opportunity
to change its processes.
As an elected local official, what guidance
can you give to your fellow officials about
working with the Department of Homeland
Security?
KDRK: Local officials have jurisdiction over local agencies
so its important to know what is happening at the
local level before contacting DHS. In DC, there are significant
problems within the DC Homeland Security and
Emergency Management Agency and the DC Department
of Transportation. The rail hearings last year highlighted
appalling dis-functionality and as a result, Councilmembers
Cheh, Allen, and Grosso introduced legislation last
week that will significantly strengthen rail security in the
city.
One important aspect of the proposed DC legislation
is increased local oversight over the federal rail security
plans. The legislation requires local agencies to review
them. This requirement is already in the 9/11 Act but by
introducing legislation, local elected officials are sending
a strong signal to local agencies that they must comply
this requirement. The requirement to submit semi-annual
reports to the DC Council also reinforces this message.
When the DC Council receives the semi-annual reports,
they should work with political appointees in DHS
to address local concerns. From personal past experience,
relying on local agencies and career federal officials to
solve problems won’t work. Local elected officials have the
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