HSEMD at a Glance
A division of the Iowa Department of Public Defense, The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) was comprised of 58 full-time employees at the close of SFY 2007. HSEMD houses staff at its main office at Camp Dodge in Johnston, and at the State Emergency Operations Center, also in Johnston.
David Miller, the administrator of the Division, is appointed by the governor. A chief of staff, a homeland security coordinator, and four bureau chiefs comprise the management team.
Homeland Security Team
Homeland security is an integral part of the mission of HSEMD. Every bureau within the division has a role and responsibility to work to ensure this mission is accomplished. The Homeland Security Team works to coordinate organizations and entities that have a homeland security mission, including state level departments, the First Responder Advisory Committee, the Homeland Security Executive Group, and other public and private partners. The Homeland Security Team also collaborates with all bureaus on the implementation and tracking of homeland security grants and develops homeland security strategies and strategic plans. In addition, members of the team coordinate the state’s critical asset protection planning and infrastructure protection efforts, and participate in the state’s information and intelligence sharing efforts. This team both coordinates and participates in the state’s information sharing and intelligence efforts with public and private sector partners.
Readiness and Response
The Readiness and Response Bureau is responsible for the readiness and initial staffing of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Because a timely, coordinated response is the first crucial step in getting help to citizens impacted by disaster events, this is the bureau's key mission through coordination with county emergency management coordinators. The Readiness and Response Bureau coordinates local, state, federal, and private partner resources under a Governor's Disaster Proclamation based on identified needs through the unified/incident command structure which includes the local county emergency management coordinator. The Readiness and Response Bureau coordinates with forward command posts and houses the State of Iowa Radiological Instrumentation and Calibration facility. This facility offers complete calibration and maintenance service and works closely with the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program.
Grants Management
The Grants Management Bureau is responsible for budgeting, financial management and coordination and management of all grants that are awarded through the State Administrative Agent (SAA). The administrator serves as the SAA. The Bureau provides technical assistance and grant oversight.
Communications and Technology
The Communication and Technology Bureau is responsible for official communication and public information as well as the GIS/GPS program, the statewide E911 program and information technology. The Communication and Technology Bureau updates the HSEMD Web site and releases a bi-weekly newsletter. Several teams make up the bureau, including the front desk, information technology and the communications/public affairs teams.
Preparedness
The Preparedness Bureau is responsible for the ongoing mitigation, planning, training, exercise and recovery efforts within Iowa. The Preparedness Bureau coordinates statewide disaster recovery, mitigation and recovery planning requirements in the Iowa Code, and planners in this bureau serve as points of contact for Iowa's homeland security regions and planning districts. The Preparedness Bureau is also responsible for the implementation of the Iowa Comprehensive Exercise Program. The bureau develops and conducts exercises and provides technical exercise and evaluation assistance to state agencies and local jurisdictions. The bureau focuses on training initiatives and assesses the training needs of first responders and others who may become involved in a natural or human-made incident. The bureau coordinates and conducts courses, conferences and other training activities, and coordinates with other disciplines and agencies on a regular basis to discuss training activities, needs assessments and strategies.