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• Summary of Fusion Centers: Core Issues and Options for Congress [September 19, 2007]

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  "This report summarizes the main points of CRS Report RL34070, Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress, by Todd Masse, Siobhan O'Neil, and John Rollins. It highlights the value proposition of such centers, as well as the obstacles and risks they face. All of the information provided herein is provided in greater detail in the original report, which will be updated as necessary. Although elements of the information and intelligence fusion function were conducted prior to 9/11, often at state police criminal intelligence bureaus, the events of 9/11 provided the primary catalyst for the formal establishment of more than 40 state, local, and regional fusion centers across the country. The value proposition for fusion centers is that by integrating various streams of information and intelligence, including that flowing from the federal government, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as the private sector, a more accurate picture of risks to people, economic infrastructure, and communities can be developed and translated into protective action. The ultimate goal of fusion is to prevent man-made (terrorist) attacks and to respond to natural disasters and man-made threats quickly and efficiently should they occur. Fusion centers are state-created entities largely financed and staffed by the states, and there is no one 'model' for how a center should be structured. State and local law enforcement and criminal intelligence seem to be at the core of many of the centers. While many of the centers have prevention of attacks as a high priority, little 'true fusion' -- analysis of disparate data sources, identification of intelligence gaps, and pro-active collection of intelligence against those gaps which could contribute to prevention -- is occurring."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Masse, Todd; Rollins, John

  2007-09-19
• Advancing the Homeland Security Information Sharing Environment: A Review of the National Network of Fusion Centers

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  From the Introduction: "At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Chairman Michael McCaul directed the Majority staff to conduct a review of federal coordination with, and support to, the National Network of Fusion Centers. [...] Committee staff conducted a review of the progress made across all levels of government to enhance the flow of counterterrorism information to and from fusion centers. The Committee visited ten fusion centers, and had additional meetings with five others, to hear directly from analysts and operators. [...] Though a comprehensive review of the Committee's analysis and findings is detailed below, Committee staff have noted that since the release of the Committee's 2013 report, significant progress has been made in the overall maturity of the National Network of Fusion Centers. Many fusion centers have expanded capabilities to address all crimes and threats, recognizing that early indicators of terrorism often include criminal activity. The Committee witnessed greater intra-network collaboration, including the exchange of best practices, collaboration on strategic products, and provision of support to other centers during major incidents. Additionally, fusion centers are embracing a multidisciplinary approach to outreach programs to better integrate fire, emergency medical services, and the private sector. [...] The Committee also noted several areas that warrant further attention and enhancement. [...] The Committee also identified several new challenges that, if not addressed, could impact the ability of fusion centers to assess threats and share information."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2017-11
• Eyes of the Storm: Can Fusion Centers Play a Crucial Role During the Response Phase of Natural Disasters Through Collaborative Relationships with Emergency Operations Centers?

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  From the Abstract: "Through the maturation of the national network of fusion centers, processes and capabilities originally designed to detect and thwart terrorist attacks are now applied to disaster responses. The fusion process, which involves the synthesis and analysis of streams of data, can create incident specific intelligence. The sharing of this information can enhance the operating picture that is critical to key decision makers and the discipline of emergency management. This thesis examined three case studies of fusion center disaster responses through a collaborative-based analytical framework. The resulting analysis of the case studies identified the crucial role played by fusion centers in responding to disaster events in a collaborative effort with emergency operations centers. This thesis concludes that fusion centers offer the greatest impact through enabling information sharing throughout the response phase. The specific benefits of the sharing of information directly influence executive briefings and the deployment of resources. This thesis also modeled a collaborative response. The research determined that the depth and breadth of these relationships involving cooperative responses must be proportionate to the incident and include a level of redundancy. Through a system design model, overconnectivity through efficiency was shown to increase the likelihood of fracturing cooperative relationships."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Coyle, Timothy P.

  2014-09
• Fusion Center Technology Guide

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  "Fusion centers provide essential contributions towards protecting our communities by providing timely, accurate, and actionable information. This information enables public safety and government leaders to make sound management decisions regarding emerging threats and direct resources to areas of greatest need. Fusion centers also play a critical role in supporting uniformed officers as well as investigators by supporting law enforcement's needs to submit and receive information so they can more effectively and efficiently carry out their duties and responsibilities. Fusion centers are best-equipped to meet tomorrow's challenges when technology is leveraged to foster advances in prevention and investigative tactics. Aligning improved business practices with appropriate technical solutions, technology enables and supports stronger multiagency cooperation by providing secure avenues for justice information sharing. In an era in which criminals and terrorists are known to use technology and engage in criminal enterprises across geographic boundaries, it is critical that fusion centers develop and implement the required policies, practices, and technology solutions to help protect communities while ensuring that the privacy and civil liberties of individuals are also protected. The purpose of this document is to provide a methodology for fusion center directors and managers to facilitate technology planning and to provide a practical perspective on the value of technology as an enabler to the fusion center mission. This document has been developed to work in conjunction with other fusion center technology information resources."

  United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2009-04
• 2011 National Network of Fusion Centers: Final Report

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  "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with Fusion Center Directors and federal interagency partners, instituted a repeatable annual assessment process to monitor the maturity of the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network) and provide objective data to inform federal investments in fusion centers. The 2011 National Network of Fusion Centers Final Report (Final Report) describes the overall capabilities of the National Network based on the 2011 Fusion Center Assessment (2011 Assessment) data. This report includes (1) a detailed analysis of the collective capability of fusion centers, (2) an analysis of the effectiveness of federal support to fusion centers, and (3) recommendations for Federal Government action to support the National Network in further building its capabilities."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2012-05
• Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress [Updated January 18, 2008]

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  "The federal role in supporting fusion centers consists largely of providing financial assistance, the majority of which has flowed through the Homeland Security Grant Program; sponsoring security clearances; providing human resources; producing some fusion center guidance and training; and providing congressional authorization and appropriation of national foreign intelligence program resources, as well as oversight hearings. This report includes over 30 options for congressional consideration to clarify and potentially enhance the federal government's relationship with fusion centers. One of the central options is the potential drafting of a formal national fusion center strategy that would outline, among other elements, the federal government's clear expectations of fusion centers, its position on sustainment funding, metrics for assessing fusion center performance, and definition of what constitutes a 'mature' fusion center. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rollins, John

  2008-01-18
• Relationships Between Fusion Centers and Emergency Operations Centers

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  "Fusion Centers and Emergency Operations Centers play a critical role in linking state and local on-the-ground information with the strategies and response of the federal government. It is imperative that they foster relationships to work together effectively and establish policies and protocols to coordinate and share relevant information and intelligence during daily operations and emergencies to enhance the safety of the public. Fusion Centers and Emergency Management efforts are enhanced with better interaction and information sharing. Some Fusion Centers are allcrimes oriented and do not consider Emergency Operations Centers as partners in their operations. Many Emergency Operations Center officials view Fusion Centers as solely law enforcement entities and either do not see a need or do not know how to effectively coordinate with them. These officials would benefit from building stronger mutual relationships."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2011-12
• Information Sharing with Fusion Centers Has Improved, but Information System Challenges Remain

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  This Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report "addresses the strengths and weaknesses of DHS' information sharing with state and local fusion centers and the implementation of information technology to support these activities. It is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents. [...] We reviewed the department's approach to information sharing with state and local fusion centers. Our objectives were to determine (1) the effectiveness of DHS' strategy, processes, and activities for facilitating information sharing with fusion centers; and (2) the extent to which information technology systems support information sharing between the department and these centers. DHS has made progress in its efforts to improve information sharing with fusion centers. Fusion center personnel indicated that information sharing had improved over time and the information received from the department met their needs primarily due to the deployment of DHS intelligence officers to the centers. As a result of improved information sharing, fusion centers have successfully collaborated with the department during numerous large-scale events and maintained situational awareness after attempted terrorist attacks or other incidents. However, DHS component collaboration in the information sharing process needs improvement, and some intelligence products could better meet state and local needs."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2010-10
• Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Address Some Challenges Faced by State and Local Fusion Centers, Statement of Eileen R. Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate

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  "Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, state and local governments formed fusion centers, collaborative efforts to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal or terrorist activity. Recognizing that the centers are a critical mechanism for sharing information, the federal government--including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE), which has primary responsibility for governmentwide information sharing--is taking steps to partner with fusion centers. This testimony focuses on (1) the characteristics of fusion centers as of September 2007 and (2) federal efforts to help alleviate challenges centers identified. This testimony is based on GAO's October 2007 report on 58 fusion centers and related federal efforts to support them as well as updated information GAO obtained in March 2008 by reviewing plans describing selected federal efforts and attending the second annual national fusion center conference. While this testimony contains no new recommendations, GAO has recommended that the federal government define and articulate its long-term fusion center role and whether it expects to provide resources to help ensure their sustainability. PM-ISE agreed with the recommendation and is in the process of implementing it."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2008-04-17
• Information Sharing: Federal Agencies are Helping Fusion Centers Build and Sustain Capabilities and Protect Privacy, but Could Better Measure Results, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Recent terrorist activity, such as the attempted Times Square bombing, underscores the need for terrorism-related information sharing. Since 2001, all 50 states and some local governments have established fusion centers, where homeland security, terrorism, and other intelligence information is shared. The federal government recognizes the importance of fusion centers; however, as GAO reported in October 2007, centers face challenges in sustaining their operations. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which (1) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken action to support fusion centers' efforts to maintain and grow their operations, and (2) DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have supported fusion centers in establishing privacy and civil liberties protections. GAO reviewed relevant legislation and federal guidance; conducted interviews with 14 of 72 fusion centers, selected on the basis of location and time in operation, among other factors; and interviewed DHS and DOJ officials. The views of fusion center officials are not generalizable but provided insights."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2010-09
• Relationship between the Private Sector and Fusion Centers: Potential Causes for Concern and Realities

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  "The emergence of fusion centers has been met with much anticipation, as well as feelings ranging from relief to fear. Much of the latter has focused on the potential for fusion centers to disregard civil liberties, a position promoted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In a 2007 report entitled, What's Wrong With Fusion Centers, the ACLU argued enhancing private sector integration with fusion center efforts was a 'bad idea' that would lead to the abuse of civil liberties. Yet, the potential problems highlighted by the ACLU are not inevitable. Nor are they particularly likely at this point in time given the embryonic nature of such relations, if they exist at all, and due to regulations and other forces at play. Nor is the nature of a relationship between fusion centers and the private sector problematic in and of itself. That said there are fundamental issues related to these centers, some concerning civil liberties, which need to be addressed to ensure that fusion centers become a viable and effective component of our nation's homeland security posture."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  O'Neil, Siobhan

  2008-05
• Homeland Security: Preliminary Information on Federal Actions to Address Challenges Faced by State and Local Information Fusion Centers, Statement of Eileen R. Larence, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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  "Established by state and local governments generally to improve information sharing and to prevent terrorism or other threats, fusion centers across the country are in varying stages of development--from operational to early in the planning stages. Officials in 43 of the 58 fusion centers we contacted described their centers as operational as of September 2007. Thirty-four of the operational centers are relatively new, having been opened since January 2004, while 9 centers opened within the couple of years after the attacks of September 11. The majority had missions and scopes of operations that included more than just counterterrorism-related activities, such as a focus on all crimes. Adopting a broader focus helped provide information about all threats and increased the center's sustainability, for instance, by including additional stakeholders who could provide staff and support. Law enforcement entities, such as state police or state bureaus of investigation, are the lead or managing agencies in the majority of the operational centers we contacted. DHS and DOJ have made efforts to provide fusion centers access to federal information systems, but some fusion center officials cited challenges accessing relevant, actionable information and managing multiple information systems. As a result, these center officials said that their ability to receive and share information with those who need it may be limited. Additionally, both DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have provided clearances to state and local officials and have set timeliness goals for the issuance of new clearances, but some fusion center officials told us they had encountered challenges obtaining and using security clearances."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2007-09-27
• Social Media Integration into State-Operated Fusion Centers and Local Law Enforcement: Potential Uses and Challenges

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  From the thesis abstract: "The push by the Obama administration for a more transparent, citizen-centric government has created a new way of thinking among federal, state, and local governments: citizen participation has become a mainstay of newly written policies across the country. The adoption of Web 2.0 technologies, particularly social media, within fusion centers and local law enforcement entities could enable a more expedient exchange of information among fusion centers, law enforcement, and the public. The ability to collect and disseminate information on a real-time basis via fusion centers and law enforcement is key to the overall success of the homeland security mission; it is impossible for the federal government to have sole responsibility for safeguarding the homeland from the confines of Washington, D.C. Because fusion centers and law enforcement agencies are state and local entities, they have the capability to obtain information at a grassroots level and have the advantage of knowing the local environment, including potential targets and vulnerabilities. Social media, if leveraged appropriately, could enhance communication among fusion centers, law enforcement, and private citizens to better detect and deter terrorism. This research explores potential benefits and implementation challenges of integrating social media into fusion center and local law enforcement frameworks."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Fresenko, Victoria L.

  2010-12
• Tell Me What I Need To Know: What Mayors and Governors Want from Their Fusion Center

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  "Mayors and governors who represent high threat, high population density urban areas need strategic, decision-making advantages and, as such, should be significant users of fusion centers. These chief executives desire to understand the operating environment for their jurisdictions where daily risks and threats emerge from the complexities of an integrated world. Paradoxically, as will be outlined through this thesis, there is a lack of robust engagement between fusion centers and mayors and governors. While this thesis does not suggest executives know nothing about their fusion centers, the lack of direct and regular engagement is problematic given that top elected officials are responsible for leadership and funding decisions that prevent, mitigate, and respond to threats to their jurisdictions. Without engagement, fusion centers struggle to meet executive expectations, and mayors and governors miss critical opportunities to leverage their fusion centers. By addressing this engagement and expectations gap, fusion centers will be better situated to help these busy chief executives develop adaptive long-term strategic approaches for preventing, preparing, responding to and mitigating threats and all hazards in their jurisdictions, where they ultimately are held accountable by their constituency." A 7-minute, 55-second video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did= 31118]

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Chen, Yi-Ru

  2009-09
• Privacy Impact Assessment for the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative

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  "This PIA (Privacy Impact Assessment) examines the privacy implications of the State, Local and Regional Fusion Center Initiative, established by the 9/11 Commission Act, as well as for DHS' State and Local Program Management Office (SLPMO) which has managerial responsibility for the SLFC Program, and which predates the Act. It begins with a discussion of the specific authority for the Initiative provided within the Act. Then, since the Department's interactions with fusion centers and the SLPMO existed before the Act passed, the PIA includes a background section, examining the underpinnings of the fusion center concept. Next, the PIA catalogs ongoing efforts to infuse privacy into the program including dissemination of fusion center guidelines respecting individual privacy; support for the Information Sharing Environment (ISE); participation in public outreach; providing privacy training to participants in the Initiative; and steps to imbed privacy into programs which are expected to interact with the fusion center Initiative. The PIA then examines how the program's existing policies and procedures implement the Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs). Finally, the PIA examines specific privacy concerns raised by the creation and operation of the Initiative and steps participants have taken to mitigate those concerns. Wherever possible, the PIA includes recommendations the Department and individual fusion centers may take in order to further reduce their impact on the privacy of the American Public."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2008-12-11
• Information Sharing: DHS Is Assessing Fusion Center Capabilities and Results, but Needs to More Accurately Account for Federal Funding Provided to Centers, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Fusion centers play a key role in sharing threat information among all levels of government and the private sector. Federal agencies support these centers by providing personnel, funding, and other assistance. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to assess how federal agencies are accounting for ongoing support provided. This report addresses the extent to which (1) DHS [Department of Homeland Security] has helped centers assess capabilities and address gaps, (2) the federal government has defined its expectations for centers and assessed their contributions to homeland security, (3) federal agencies have deployed personnel to centers, and (4) DHS grant reforms have improved accountability for federal funds that support centers. GAO analyzed the results of center assessments, documents on center expectations, guidance for deploying personnel, and grant requirements. GAO also interviewed DHS and FBI officials who work with centers, and directors, staff, and deployed personnel at 10 of 78 fusion centers. GAO selected centers based on geographic location and other factors. Interviews are not generalizable, but provided insights on center capabilities and federal support provided."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2014-11-14
• Focus on Fusion Centers: A Progress Report, Hearing Before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, April 17, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Mark Pryor: "Let me welcome everyone here to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration. This hearing is entitled 'Focus on Fusion Centers: A Progress Report'. We have a great witness list today that I am going to introduce in just a moment. In this hearing we are trying to assess the role of the Federal Government in coordinating with and providing guidance to fusion centers. And for the general public who may not know what a fusion center is, we are going to be talking about that today because there are some different definitions. Different States and communities have some nuances within their fusion centers so they are not uniform or easy to define. But basically fusion centers are a cooperation between two or more agencies that provide resources, expertise, and information with the goal of maximizing the ability to detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. I know that is a mouthful, but that is generally what they do." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles W. Rapp, Matthew Bettenhausen, Russell M. Porter, Eileen R. Larence, Jack Tomarchio, and Vance E. Hitch.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security: Majority Staff Report on the National Network of Fusion Centers

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  "In the aftermath of the information sharing failures leading to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a Pennsylvania field, States and localities across the United States established what are known today as State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers (fusion centers). Collectively known as the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network), many of these -- now numbering 78 -- fusion centers are still in their infancy. The Homeland has been attacked five times since 2001: the Little Rock Recruiting Station shooting (2009); the Fort Hood shooting (2009); the attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day (2009); the attempted car bombing in Times Square (2010), and the Boston Marathon bombings (2013). In the wake of these attacks, we have come to understand that homeland security, including counterterrorism efforts, must be a National responsibility -- a true and equal partnership across all levels of government, and inclusive of the American people themselves. A top down, wholly Federal approach simply does not and cannot suffice. Fully integrating State and local law enforcement and emergency response providers as National mission partners requires a grassroots intelligence and analytic capability. Stakeholders rely upon fusion centers to provide that capability."

  United States. Congress. House

  2013-07
• St. Louis Fusion Center: Terrorism Early Warning Group [website]

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  "The 'St. Louis Fusion Center: Terrorism Early Warning Group' (formerly the 'St. Louis Terrorism Early Warning Group') is a public safety partnership consisting of law enforcement, fire/emergency medical, public health, and emergency management agencies, and private sector areas that could be a target of terrorism. As a regional intelligence fusion center, it provides a multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary approach to the collection, analysis and dissemination of information used to detect, defend against, or respond to acts of terrorism. Additionally, the St. Louis Fusion Center works with government and private organizations to identify and protect the region's critical infrastructure and key resources through the implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). This public/private partnership is committed to sharing and protecting information in order to enhance the near and long term preparedness capabilities of the St. Louis area. Intelligence and information sharing are the cornerstones of terrorism detection and prevention, and regional intelligence capabilities are essential to this effort. The concept of the fusion center evolved to address the need for a more complete regional intelligence picture. The St. Louis Fusion Center functions as a conduit for responsible communication between federal, state and local public safety agencies, as well as concerned private sector entities."

  St. Louis Fusion Center: Terrorism Early Warning Group
• Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, April 1, 2009

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  This is the April 1, 2009 hearing on "Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Jane Harman: "This committee has said this many times that it won't be a bureaucrat in Washington who will thwart the next terror attack. It will be a cop on the beat, familiar with the rhythms and nuances of her neighborhood, who will notice something suspicious and be best positioned to do something about it. Fusion centers are uniquely local for this reason. One size cannot fit all, because communities and their populations are diverse, and so are their geographies. So it is fusion centers, in my view, who are the tool, hopefully, to empower that cop to know what to look for and what to do. But steps need to be taken to get this effort right. [...] This subcommittee held two hearings in the last Congress to address efforts underway to provide fusion centers with the mission focus, structure, and privacy and civil liberties resources they need to protect our homeland, while preserving our Constitution, which, obviously, is necessary to protect all of us. Today's hearing is intended to continue the examination of the challenges that fusion centers face, and to dispel some of the myths that still exist." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jane Harman, Michael T. McCaul, Leroy D. Baca, Robert Riegle, Russell M. Porter, John E. Bateman, Bruce Fein, Ned Norris, and David D. Gersten.

  United States. Government Printing Office. Federal Security Agency

  2010
• 2017 National Network of Fusion Centers: Final Report

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  From the Purpose: "The National Network of Fusion Centers Final Report (Final Report) documents the findings of the Fusion Center Assessment (Assessment) and poses a list of recommendations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts the Assessment to provide a comprehensive picture of the performance of the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network), measure the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding, and guide partners to invest in mission areas with the greatest potential benefit to the homeland. The Assessment primarily evaluates fusion centers' adherence to selected performance measures. It also strives to ensure functional consistency across the National Network, regardless of fusion center size, scope, geography, or mission."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2018-10
• Federal Highway Administration Information-Sharing Guidebook for Transportation Management Centers, Emergency Operations Centers, and Fusion Centers

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  "This guidebook provides an overview of the mission and functions of transportation management centers, emergency operations centers, and fusion centers. The guidebook focuses on the types of information these centers produce and manage and how the sharing of such information among the centers can be beneficial to both the day-to-day and emergency operations of all the centers. Challenges exist to the ability to share information, and the guidebook addresses these challenges and options for handling them. The guidebook also provides some lessons learned and best practices identified from a literature search and interviews/site visits with center operators."

  United States. Federal Highway Administration

  Houston, Nancy; Wiegmann, John; Marshall, Robin

  2010-06
• Fusion Process Technical Assistance Program Resource Center on 'LLIS.gov'

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  "The Fusion Process Technical Assistance Program Resource Center (the Resource Center) serves as a secure and restricted database for fusion process-related documents such as best practices, plans, policies, templates, concept of operations plans, and standard operations plans. The Resource Center is available to appropriate state and local homeland security and law enforcement personnel who are responsible for the development, implementation, and/or operation of fusion centers. The Resource Center also serves to facilitate the development of a national network of fusion centers and to foster the sharing of knowledge and expertise among them."

  Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS); United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Position Statement Regarding the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Report: 'Federal Support for and Involvement in State and Local Fusion Centers'

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  "The InterAgency Board [IAB] is a voluntary collaborative panel of emergency preparedness and response practitioners from a wide array of professional disciplines that represent all levels of government and the volunteer sector. The IAB provides a structured forum for the exchange of ideas among operational, technical, and support organizations to improve national preparedness and promote interoperability and compatibility among local, state, tribal and federal response communities. The state and local first responders of the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IAB) feel that the Subcommittee's critical report of fusion centers may reflect a misunderstanding of the essential role that fusion centers perform related to vital intelligence and information support functions for state and local jurisdictions and regions. Responding to, interdicting, and preventing terrorism builds upon both local and Federal capabilities. Your recent Subcommitee report provides a useful starting point for enhancing the effectiveness of fusion centers to address state, local, and Federal information sharing and intelligence analysis, production and dissemination to address the complete range of threats facing the nation. However it overlooks the contributions to terrorism prevention made by the centers. Narrowly defining intelligence production with a Federal focus, driven by and supporting Federal objectives only, weakens the ability of fusion centers to effectively support regional efforts to address operational concerns."

  InterAgency Board

  2012-12
• Developing a Blueprint for Successful Private Partnership Programs in Small Fusion Centers: Key Program Components and Smart Practices

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  From the thesis abstract: "The 'Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers' required fusion centers to establish programs to interact with the private sector. These programs took the form of Public and Private Sector outreach programs. This requirement had a profound budgetary and operational impact on fusion centers, but agencies received very little guidance about how to plan, organize, and sustain these programs. The goal of this thesis was to identify smart practices and create an operational blueprint that fusion centers and intelligence units could use to establish a successful private sector outreach program. Three nationally recognized programs were studied and evaluated by a panel of subject-matter experts. The group identified six fundamental components that executives should consider prior to establishing a program: determine if the host agency has the expertise to manage the program, assess the agency's culture to identify it's willingness to interact with the business community, establish sustainable funding mechanisms prior to implementing the program, use a hybrid approach to communication including websites and face-to-face meetings, fully understand the value of the private sector, and emphasize the importance of participation by agency leadership."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Rueben, Kenneth

  2013-03
• Role of Fusion Centers in Countering Violent Extremism: Overview

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  "To counter violent extremism, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with a broad range of partners, including state and major urban area fusion centers. Fusion centers play an important role in countering violent extremism and protecting local communities from violent crime through their daily operations, including gathering, analyzing, and sharing threat information. As analytic hubs, fusion centers are uniquely situated to empower frontline personnel to understand the local implications of national intelligence by tailoring national threat information into a local context and helping frontline personnel understand terrorist and criminal threats they could encounter in the field, while also protecting the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of individuals in their communities. Fusion centers also inform the federal government of the threats and issues they encounter in their communities, which in turn helps the federal government to better support local efforts."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2012-10
• 2018 National Network of Fusion Centers: Final Report

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  From the Purpose: "The National Network of Fusion Centers Final Report (Final Report) documents the results of the annual Fusion Center Assessment (Assessment) process. The annual Assessment evaluates fusion centers' adherence to selected performance measures focused on key outputs and direct outcomes. The Final Report provides a comprehensive picture of the performance of the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network) and guides partners to focus on mission areas with the greatest potential benefit."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2020-05-08?
• Integration of Behavioral Threat Management into Fusion Center Operations to Prevent Mass or Targeted Violence

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  From the Abstract: "Incidents of mass or targeted violence seem to occur without warning and lead us to conclude that nothing may be done to prevent them. These incidents may take the forms of mass shootings, stabbings, vehicular attacks, and other methods designed to kill or injure many people. Opportunities to detect and interdict potential attackers may exist. The literature identifies a host of warning behaviors that may be useful in detecting and disrupting acts of violence. This thesis examines the opportunities available to the nation's 78 fusion centers to help prevent mass or targeted violence by learning to conduct behavioral threat assessments and management activities. Analysis of four police agencies that conduct behavioral threat assessments is conducted. Also, the National Network of Fusion Centers is explored to determine whether behavioral threat assessment and management may be a good tool to incorporate into current violence prevention efforts. It was found that fusion centers already perform basic behavioral analysis through the vetting of suspicious activity reports as part of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative. Preventive efforts may be more successful should principles of behavioral threat assessment and management be incorporated into fusion center operations."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Marks, W. Payne

  2016-12
• Fusion Centers and Federalism: Erosion or Enhancement?

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  From the Abstract: "This thesis examines the broader federalism implications of fusion centers. From a constitutional perspective, these bodies matter because they stand squarely at the crossroads of federal, state, law enforcement, and intelligence concerns. Although collating state law enforcement information existed prior to 9/11, the growing linkage with a 'national' homeland security mission spawns an entirely new set of issues. The lines separating the levels and responsibilities of government, once clear and distinct, have now become ambiguous and confusing, thereby enabling states to reassert their power vis-à-vis the federal government. The decentralized nature of the overall homeland security apparatus and the growing complexity of the assigned tasks enables fusion centers, and thus the states themselves to rise in stature. Because each state is free to tailor its own security framework, fusion centers enjoy the kind of flexibility urgently needed in today's domestic security environment. This thesis addresses the recent advances in federalism by exploring two pillars of fusion center characteristics. The first section can be construed to be the 'hardware' piece; that is, the missions and structures under which they operate. The second section investigates the 'software' side, or the databases and networks containing the information and intelligence."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Fries, Thomas E.

  2013-03
• Asserting Collective State Sovereignty to Strengthen the National Network of Fusion Center

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  From the Abstract: "The lack of legal uniformity in the National Network of Fusion Centers, or National Network, is not a simple problem, and there is no simple solution; however, operating in a 'network' with 79 fusion centers and 54 different legal frameworks while trying to detect and prevent criminal―and terrorism-related activity―is not a simple task, either. And despite the expenditure of significant federal, state, and local dollars to establish a capable and robust network of fusion centers, insufficient time and energy has been dedicated to the creation of an effective and uniform legal framework for the National Network. Through interviews with leadership from 11 fusion centers, this thesis addresses the complications of non-uniformity and evaluates three legal mechanisms with the potential to create uniformity. This research reveals that a congressionally approved interstate compact would be the most effective legal mechanism to create uniformity within the National Network because it results in state statutory authority in every participating jurisdiction, has the potential to create national legal uniformity, and respects the sovereignty of the states visà- vis the federal government."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Ladich, Samantha

  2018-03