Houston UASI and RCPI A local-regional approach to THIRA

1. Houston UASI and RCPI A local-regional approach to THIRA Alison Belcher Houston UASI Mel Bartis Houston RCPI

2. Overview • History of risk/capability analysis in Houston region • Benefits of a regional THIRA • What we hope to accomplish with a regional THIRA • Proposed regional THIRA process • Potential integration with State of Texas THIRA • Benefits • Challenges

3. Past Threat, Risk, and Capability Assessment Efforts • Since 2003, the Houston Region has done at least 5 separate comprehensive threat analyses, capability assessments, and risk assessments • Most recent capability and risk assessments in 2009/10 (RCPGP) • Assisted us in determining our RCPG planning baseline • Prioritized hazards and capability gaps for planning • Identified local and regional strengths and weaknesses • Informed the prioritization of funds for UASI • H-GAC and local jurisdiction Mitigation Action Plans • Hazard identification • Hazard analysis • Risk assessment

4. FINDINGS Digital Sandbox, January 2010

5. FINDINGS Digital Sandbox, January 2010

6. FINDINGS CNA, September 2009

7. CURRENT Risk and Capability Assessment Efforts • PHEP Grant Requirement – Houston Health Department is the Texas lead agency for development of the new Texas Public Health Risk Assessment Tool • Multi-jurisdictional collaborative with State, Regional, County, Local, academic, public health, emergency management, health care systems, and mental health systems representatives participating in its design and development • The first version of the tool has been released for statewide use for all PHEP funded LHD  and regional health department jurisdictions • Developers are reviewing CPG 201 to see potential links w/ emergency management and homeland security partners • http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/commprep/phep/program.aspx

8. Benefits of a Regional THIRA • Important contributions to the region’s existing risk management program. • Already a “quasi-requirement” of RCPGP … suspect it might be for FY2013 UASI. • Change the focus of capabilities from target to core – making it easier to update the regional strategy in the fall.

9. What we hope to accomplish with a regional THIRA • Better visibility of our gaps • Create a more informed process to steer future projects • Assist/inform state’s efforts in their THIRA and with the SPR

10. Houston Region’s Plan for THIRA To merge our existing risk and capability data with the FEMA THIRA process to deliver an assessment of practical value to our region. THIRA Fusion/LE/CIKR assessments Regional capability assessments Mitigation-related assessments Regional risk assessments Public health assessments Private-sector risk assessments Local Jurisdiction assessments

11. Our Strategy • Our process will involve multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional collaboration • We will engage relevant preparedness stakeholders (including private sector partners and other whole community partners)

12. PROCESS – Step 1 • Review the region’s existing threat and hazard identification results, plans and assessments • Mitigation Plan for H-GAC, RCPG Risk and Capability Assessments, etc. • Outcome of Step 1: • List natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards that are of greatest concern to our region CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

13. PROCESS – STEP 2 • Provide context to list of threats and hazards related to their impact to our region. • Outcome of Step 2: • Threat and hazard descriptions tied to the Houston region’s critical infrastructure and population profiles. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

14. PROCESS – STEP 3 • Define, using core capabilities, the impacts each threat/hazard will have on our region and our desired outcomes. • Build matrix that aligns the threats and hazards with each of the capabilities & consequences for our region. • Outcome of Step 3: • Create the list of desired outcomes and impacts for core capabilities. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

15. PROCESS – STEP 4 • Establish capability targets that tie together our estimated impacts and desired outcomes. • Outcome of Step 4: • Create the list of capability targets. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

16. PROCESS – STEP 5 • Build summary report for UASI and RCPG regions, and executive summary for State of Texas • Outcome of Step 5: • Completed Houston Regional THIRA (RCPG and UASI regions). CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

17. Integration with State of Texas THIRA • Benefits: • Provides a local/urban area geographic context to the THIRA • Provides the same “sheet of music” – if we’re all using the same process, it eases collaboration • State and FEMA Region VI will receive a closer snapshot of analysis for the Houston Urban Area • It’s the right thing to do – we need to understand our own risks, capabilities, and gaps to continue moving forward with our homeland security strategies

18. Integration with State of Texas THIRA • Challenges: • With a state as large and diverse as Texas, how do you truly capture the threats and hazards of concern? • Want to avoid “too many cooks in the kitchen” while still informing the process • Timeline may not allow for thorough integration of local THIRAs with state THIRA

19. Questions? Alison BelcherLead UASI Planner832-393-0928alison.belcher@houstontx.gov Mel BartisHouston RCPI Program Manager832-393-0917melanie.bartis@houstontx.gov