Dennis R. Schrader, Director of Maryland's Office of Homeland Security

DomPrep’s John F. Morton met with Dennis Schrader, the Director of Maryland’s Office of Homeland Security at his office in Annapolis, MD. In a wide-ranging discussion, Mr. Schrader detailed his state’s extensive organizational efforts for all-hazards preparedness that include fully integrated intelligence and information sharing by way of intel fusion centers and the use of GIS. Schrader also highlighted Maryland’s regional all-hazards approach that is developing horizontal linkages with adjacent states.

DomPrep.com divided the 33 minute, 55 second interview into five segments.

Listen to Audio Segment One Maryland Implementation of Homeland Security Strategy

Mr. Schrader relates implementation of Maryland’s 2004 Homeland Security Strategy Document to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 on National Preparedness HSPD-8, the Interim National Preparedness Goal and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). He also addressed Maryland’s interoperability partnering, influenced by the early efforts of the Public Safety Wireless Network’s (PSWIN’s) “Why Can’t We Talk?”

Duration :7 Minutes 50 Seconds

Listen to Audio Segment Two Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology and Web-Based Links for EOCs

Mr. Schrader discusses the State’s various GIS programs, notably the Emergency Management Mapping Application (EMMA), the role of Towson University as a science and technology (S&T) resource for GIS and “Web-EOC,” the State’s Web-based link for EOCs and its interface with such GIS resources as Baltimore’s CitiStat.

Duration :3 Minutes 11 Seconds

Listen to Audio Segment Three Critical Infrastructure and Information Sharing

Mr. Schrader details Maryland’s organizational structures for critical infrastructure protection and intel fusion, including the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center and its interfaces with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Maryland Joint Operations Center in the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. He discusses infrastructure protection and information sharing with the private sector via the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and Maryland’s “Threat Squads.” He also addresses the State’s organizational approaches to mass transit security, including implementation of TSA protocols and his recent focus on the Port of Baltimore.

Duration :14 Minutes 02 Seconds

Listen to Audio Segment Four Maryland and the Mid-Atantic’s State-to-State All-Hazards Approach

Mr. Schrader outlines current state-to-state mechanisms for all-hazards preparedness by highlighting the Mid-Atlantic All-Hazards Forum and the State’s consideration of BearingPoint’s all hazards best practices released at the 2004 forum (read article)

Duration: 1 Minutes 54 Seconds

Listen to Audio Segment Five Managing Mass Casualty Incidents, Homeland Security RDT&E and E-Commerce Procurement

Mr. Schrader concludes with remarks on the State’s developing mass casualty management strategy, its reliance on universities such as Towson and the private sector as resource partners for research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) of homeland security technologies and its e-commerce homeland security procurement system the eMaryland M@rketplace that utilizes the Fisher Scientific/Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Quartermaster program.

Duration: 6 Minutes 58 Seconds

Dennis Schrader, Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was appointed on July 1, 2003. Since his appointment Director Schrader has worked with Governor Ehrlich to shape a vision of Homeland Security to ensure the security of Maryland citizens. Some of Governor Ehrlich’s efforts include developing a regional vision for Homeland Security preparedness, response, and recovery, the establishment of an accountable and measurable Program Oversight for all federal dollars coming to Maryland for Homeland Security network, and the establishment of the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.