What Is A Fusion Center and How Can It Help Me Lead?
In the aftermath of the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Congressional hearings and various public hearings took place to determine the best way to move forward to enhance the country’s emergency preparedness and response. One outcome of those efforts was the 9/11 Commission Report, which analyzed the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps that could have prevented the attacks. A "failure of imagination" and a lack of information sharing were among the key conclusions in the report. These issues remain relevant in our ongoing effort to protect our communities from threats of accidental, criminal, and terrorist origin.
Through the spirit of imagination derived the concept and development of fusion centers, which allow for collaborative partnerships and information sharing among local, state, federal, and private sector stakeholders. There are 80 recognized fusion centers nationwide, 50 of which are state fusion centers. Twenty-seven fusion centers operate at the Major Urban area level, and three are territorial fusion centers. Some states have multiple fusion centers. The State of Texas has eight operational fusion centers comprised primarily of law enforcement agencies.
As many fusion centers evolved their operations, they added fire, EMS, emergency management, and public health personnel and functions. In many cases, individual agencies cannot easily become members of a fusion center. Depending on the funding and the mission of a particular fusion center, it may require approval from the governor’s office, city council, city charter, and so on. However, most fusion centers offer programs that allow for partner agency affiliation. The titles of these programs vary, but the mission is the same, they serve to develop solutions to understand and address the threats of criminal activity, terrorism, and extremism through outreach, education, and engagement.
A common fusion center-coordinated program is the liaison officer program. Liaison officers have been entitled Threat Liaison Officer (TLO), Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO), and Fire Liaison Officer (FLO). Liaison officers provide a network to strengthen information-sharing, training, and education on common extremist tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Liaison officers as leaders allow fusion centers to aid their partners and jurisdictions in addressing homeland security mission-critical areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.
TLO/FLO and other fusion center programs also provide access to organizations, groups, and agencies like the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), the Interagency Fire Service Exchange (IFIX), distribution lists, and various printed resources, which serve to strengthen crisis leadership for extreme events, tactical decision-making, and strategic policy.
Leadership at every level is vital in seeing something and reporting responsibly. I encourage you to reach out to your local fusion center to see how your department can help lead in further developing trusting partnerships within your communities.
Jeffrey G. Kennedy FSCEO, CFE, BS
Assistant Fire Chief
Austin Fire Department
You won't want to miss Chief Kennedy’s presentation at the Symposium!
Paul is an illustrator, cartoonist, retired firefighter officer and instructor, author of the three books, USO volunteer entertainer, leadership advisor, and keynote speaker. Though his art career spans a lifetime, his principles and philosophy on leadership and safety were cultivated through years as a firefighter and officer – a journey that began in 1995. Paul now shares the leadership principles learned on the fireground and in the firehouse, through his artwork and public speaking, to help others lead and grow within the culture they wish to cultivate.
