By Jason Miller
Executive Editor
FederalNewsRadio

Homeland Security Department secretary Janet Napolitano didn’t waste much time in getting down to business.

The Senate confirmed the former Arizona Governor Jan. 20 and a day later she issued five directives requiring component agencies to create reports on specific topics. Initial oral reports are due Jan. 28 and formal written reports are expected by Feb. 10.

Napolitano says the directives are designed to begin a review, evaluation and dialogue between various functions of the department and her office.

One directive asks for an evaluation of critical infrastructure protection. Napolitano wants to better understand what the status of the infrastructure list, relations to the 18 sector coordinating councils and what are the plans to enhance private sector participation and protection?

Napolitano also wants to know how DHS is using risk analysis metrics, and what is the time frame to set up a full system to govern the establishment critical infrastructure programs, priorities for national planning scenarios and grants distribution.

She wants to know more about the progress in improving state and local information sharing. Napolitano asks for an inventory of all operational, programmatic, technology and policy related activities.

She asks for an evaluation of which activities hold the most promise to share information on a real-time basis. And she wants the Intelligence and Analysis component should evaluate whether the department is meeting all of its information sharing mission requirements.

The two other areas Napolitano wants reports on are the Transportation Security Administration’s progress and how DHS is integrating state, local and tribal governments into its policy and program planning efforts.

Napolitano says she will issue other directives focused on preparedness, response, recovery and immigration in the coming days.

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On the Web:

DHS – Secretary Napolitano Issues First in a Series of Action Directives (press release)

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