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| Wyoming Office of Homeland Security | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Wyoming Office of Homeland Security |
| Formed | 2005 |
| Jurisdiction | Wyoming |
| Headquarters | Cheyenne, Wyoming |
| Chief1 position | Executive Director |
| Parent agency | Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources |
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security is a state-level agency in Cheyenne, Wyoming responsible for coordinating disaster response and terrorism prevention activities across Wyoming with federal partners such as the Department of Homeland Security (United States), Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Justice (United States). It interfaces with state institutions including the Wyoming National Guard, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Wyoming Department of Health to implement policies derived from statutes like the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and directives issued by presidents such as George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The office supports regional collaboration with neighboring states including Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota through compacts such as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The office was established in the post-9/11 policy environment influenced by reports from the 9/11 Commission and national initiatives led by figures including Tom Ridge and agencies like the Office of Homeland Security (United States Department of Homeland Security). Early activities echoed national trends from the National Incident Management System rollout and exercises modeled after incidents such as Hurricane Katrina and events like the Boston Marathon bombing. The office's formation intersected with state responses to natural disasters including Yellowstone National Park wildfires and severe winter storms that affected communities such as Jackson, Wyoming and Casper, Wyoming.
Leadership has included executive directors appointed by governors such as Matt Mead and interactions with administrations like those of Mark Gordon and Dave Freudenthal. The agency coordinates with state agencies including the Wyoming Office of the Governor, Wyoming Legislature, and law enforcement bodies like the Laramie County Sheriff's Office and the Natrona County Sheriff's Department. Federal collaboration involves liaisons to entities such as the United States Northern Command, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Transportation Security Administration. The organizational structure reflects models from the National Guard Bureau and operational doctrines influenced by authors like Annie Jacobsen and scholars connected to Harvard Kennedy School homeland security programs.
Core responsibilities include threat assessment influenced by intelligence sharing with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 frameworks, critical infrastructure protection referencing sectors defined by the Department of Homeland Security (United States), and emergency management following Incident Command System principles. Programs address chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) preparedness aligned with training standards from the Center for Domestic Preparedness and public health coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Community resilience initiatives mirror federal outreach seen in Ready.gov and partnerships with non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army for mass care and sheltering.
During incidents the office activates plans consistent with the National Response Framework and coordinates with multiagency partners including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for incidents affecting Yellowstone National Park and the Bureau of Land Management for rural incidents. It manages state emergency operations centers that interface with county emergency operations centers like those in Teton County, Wyoming and Laramie County, Wyoming, and conducts joint operations with the Wyoming National Guard during emergencies such as winter storms and floods similar to responses in Hurricane Sandy. Mutual aid arrangements cite precedents from the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and interstate collaborations exemplified by the Northern Rockies Fire Protection Cooperative.
The office administers preparedness grants from federal sources including the Homeland Security Grant Program and FEMA preparedness funding streams, applying criteria consistent with directives issued by secretaries such as Jeh Johnson. Grant management involves compliance with audit standards used by entities like the Government Accountability Office and reporting to the Wyoming State Auditor. Funds support initiatives across jurisdictions including rural communities like Sheridan, Wyoming and tribal areas such as the Wind River Indian Reservation, mirroring funding flows seen in other states like Colorado and Montana.
Training programs are coordinated with national providers including the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and regional centers like the FEMA Region 8 training facilities. Exercises follow methodologies from documents such as the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program and often involve participants from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, local fire departments like Cody Fire Department, emergency medical services, and volunteer organizations including Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. The office sponsors full-scale and tabletop exercises similar to exercises conducted for events like the Super Bowl and wildfire preparedness drills informed by lessons from the Hayman Fire.
Critiques of the office echo national debates over grant allocation and civil liberties raised in discussions involving organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and media outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Local controversies have included scrutiny over spending priorities in Wyoming Legislature hearings, transparency concerns comparable to cases reviewed by the Government Accountability Office, and tensions between state-level priorities and federal mandates from the Department of Homeland Security (United States). Debates also reflect broader controversies about surveillance and privacy discussed in inquiries related to the Patriot Act and reporting by journalists such as Glenn Greenwald.
Category:State law enforcement agencies of Wyoming