Dept. of Homeland Security, MIPT to Launch Lessons Learned Information-Sharing Network for Nation's Emergency Responders and Managers

4/16/2004

From: Ellen Powell of the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, 405-278-6307

News Advisory:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) in Oklahoma City, and DFI International will launch the Web-based homeland security lessons learned and best practices information- sharing network on April 19, 2004. The portal is an important part of the national homeland security strategy to assist state and local homeland security responders and planners to improve preparation, prevention, response, and recovery efforts for acts of terrorism.

The Honorable C. Suzanne Mencer, Director of DHS's Office for Domestic Preparedness, and General Dennis J. Reimer, USA (Ret.), Director of MIPT, will announce the formal launch of the Lessons Learned Information Sharing system (LLIS.gov) in Oklahoma City on the ninth anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that killed 168 Americans in 1995. Details of the event are as follows:

DATE: Monday, April 19

TIME: 11 a.m. CDT

LOCATION: Oklahoma City Fire & Police Training Center, 850 North Portland, Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Media

Contact: Ellen Powell, MIPT, 405-278-6307

"LLIS provides a unique opportunity to share information among federal, state and local levels of government and learn from each other," said Director Mencer. "The portal will be fully operational within a year."

Developed by MIPT and DFI International, LLIS.gov improves homeland security efforts nationwide by allowing local, state, and federal response professionals to share a wealth of validated front-line expertise on effective planning, training, and operational practices for homeland security.

This detailed information takes the form of scores of documents of individual lessons learned, best practices, and other notable positive performances and "good ideas" across the range of homeland security disciplines. System content is developed in consultation with subject-matter experts and practitioners from throughout the country and undergoes extensive peer review and validation before publication.

"Congress has supported MIPT from its inception," said Senator Don Nickles. "As the third component of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, MIPT is charged with helping to prevent acts of terrorism or mitigate their results. The Lessons Learned Information Sharing capability will help accomplish that. It is particularly fitting that this capability will be fully operational by the 10th anniversary of the Murrah Building bombing because it provides a tribute to all the family members, rescue workers and survivors who paid such a heavy price on April 19, 1995."

Rep. Ernest Istook added "The nation is committing a lot of resources to prepare us against terrorism on our soil. LLIS will help ensure that we get the greatest return on this investment. The ability to learn from others' experiences and best practices is invaluable, and that's what this is about."

LLIS.gov will also serve as a central repository of relevant homeland security documents and events, including an extensive catalog of redacted after-action reports (AARs) from exercises and actual incidents. In addition, the LLIS.gov system will house a directory of responders and homeland security officials and identifies those with functional expertise, allowing users to identify and communicate with those with more experience and proficiency.

Access to Lessons Learned Information Sharing will be free to authorized homeland security officials and emergency responders at the local, state, and federal levels. In addition, the system meets Department of Homeland Security (DHS) standards for housing sensitive but unclassified information.

"As the nation marks the ninth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, DHS and MIPT are launching LLIS.gov to ensure that lessons learned from terrorist incidents and training exercises shape preparedness and response in the future," said Reimer. "By enabling emergency responders and homeland security officials from every jurisdiction in America to share and learn from each other's invaluable experience, LLIS.gov will ultimately improve national preparedness and help deter possible future attacks."

Media interested in attending the launch of the Lessons Learned Information Sharing.gov system on April 19th should contact Ellen Powell of MIPT at 405-278-6307.

About DHS's Office for Domestic Preparedness ( http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp )

The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) is the principal component of DHS responsible for preparing the United States for acts of terrorism. ODP is responsible for providing training, funds, and other support to assist states and local jurisdictions prevent, plan for, and respond to acts of terrorism.

About the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism ( http://www.mipt.org )

The National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) in Oklahoma City is a non-profit institution dedicated both to preventing terrorism and mitigating its effects. MIPT was established after the April 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. MIPT has a special commitment to first responders-police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and others who are first on the scene in the aftermath of terrorist activity. MIPT sponsors research on equipment, training, and procedures to assist response professionals in preventing and responding to terrorism. MIPT is funded through the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) in the Department of Homeland Security.

About DFI International ( http://www.dfi-intl.com )

Founded in 1984, DFI International is a research, analysis, and consulting company dedicated to providing rigorous analytical support and knowledge management systems to government and corporate clients in national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, and high-technology sectors. DFI is the lead program developer and integrator for LLIS.gov and is teamed with The Henry L. Stimson Center, the Chemical and Biological Arms Control Institute (CBACI), and The ESP Group, LLC.