Homeland Security: Fostering Public-Private Partnerships
Abstract
Recent U.S. high consequence events have clarified the importance of government collaboration with industry. The benefit of such collaboration was one of the most important lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. The resources owned and controlled by American industry dwarf those available to local, state and even the federal government departments. Better agreements and incentives to bring the full capabilities of industry squarely into the national response agenda will be indispensable in effectively responding to large-scale catastrophes. At our 2007 Symposium, General Russel Honoré, who led the National Guard response to Katrina stated, “We need the partnering between local, state, and federal governments; but the biggest partner should be industry…because people in industry, if they understand the problems, can take them on as business opportunities.” The 2008 event program was structured to illuminate exemplary public-private partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels and consider steps to develop and improve public-private partnerships for the future. The program included presentations by recognized experts from government and industry engaged in operating and securing critical infrastructures. Participants represented academe, Federal/State/Local government agencies, private-sector companies, industry associations, and standards organizations.
