3.2: Avenues to Participation
Utilize a varied spectrum of communication channels to encourage thoughtful discourse and public participation Other Information:
The vital mission of the Department to secure the nation against threats and disasters of all kinds requires diverse expertise
and analysis in a wide range of operational responsibilities. To better understand the impact of DHS policies on the nation’s
communities and citizens, the Department utilizes a varied spectrum of communication channels to encourage thoughtful discourse
and public participation. 3.2.1 Public Dialogue The Department engaged the American public throughout the congressionally
mandated Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) process in 2009. The QHSR team conducted online National Security Dialogues,
open to the public and subject matter experts across the country, to outline the strategic framework of homeland security
toward a common end. Public dialogue about the QHSR recognized the roles and responsibilities of DHS, but also the relationships,
roles, and responsibilities of homeland security partners. The Department conducted another dialogue to hear from the public
about their expectations for open government in an effort to better understand what the public expects, and how the Department
can best protect the nation and serve the public. Using a tool developed by the General Services Administration (GSA), the
Department received over 100 ideas from the public and Federal employees on ways to make DHS more transparent, participatory,
collaborative, and innovative. The Department plans to solicit comments on the 2010 Open Government Plan using the same collaboration
tool from April 30, 2010 through May 10, 2010. This process will ensure the 2011 Plan considers the unique and invaluable
insights of the public. Moving forward, the Department will utilize Public Dialogues to garner insight on topics of interest
to a broad cross-section of the American Public. 3.2.2 Public Outreach and Communicating with Stakeholder Groups The Department
balances efforts to address evolving threats with traditional responsibilities of defense, response and recovery. By recognizing
the shared goals of Federal, State, local, Tribal, nongovernmental, and private-sector partners, including citizens and communities,
to promote public safety, the Department seeks avenues for public outreach and communications with stakeholder groups. 3.2.3
Advisory Committees-FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Annotated, Appendix 2), was enacted by Congress
in 1972 to illuminate how agencies make decisions based upon the advice and recommendations from individuals outside of Government,
while also making sure that the costs to support advisory committees are commensurate with the benefits received. FACA committees
provide many opportunities for public engagement including personally attending a meeting, mailing or emailing the Committee
directly with thoughts and concerns, learning about the committee in the press, or watching a meeting broadcast online. The
Committee Management Office provides Department-wide guidance on compliance with the provisions of the FACA. As required by
section 8(b) of FACA, the Committee Management Officer (CMO) develops policies and provides guidance on the interpretation
and implementation of FACA; provides oversight of DHS advisory committees; establishes internal operating procedures; and
ensures compliance with FACA, DHS policies, regulations issued by the Committee Management Secretariat in the GSA, and any
other applicable statutes or regulations. The Department of Homeland Security has 27 Federal Advisory Committees, comprised
of more than 700 DHS stakeholders that are established and operate under the provisions of the FACA. DHS advisory committees
have issued roughly 2,448 recommendations; approximately 56 percent of which have been implemented and about 33 percent partially
implemented. DHS advisory committees advise agency officials on issues such as the safe marine transportation of hazardous
materials; aviation safety and security; navigation safety in the nation’s waterways; emergency response and preparedness;
the programs of the U.S. Fire Administration; recreational boating safety; maritime security; the safety of the offshore oil
drilling industry; oil spill prevention and mitigation; State and local law enforcement training; technology issues that affect
personal privacy; the security of the nation’s critical infrastructure in the key sectors of the economy; telecommunications
affecting national security and emergency preparedness; the operations and fees of USCBP; and the security of the American
homeland. FACA meetings are usually open to the public, and any member of the public may file a written statement with the
advisory committee. Members of the public may speak to an advisory committee and meetings are often made available to the
public via video conference, over the Internet, or by other electronic medium. The CMO is improving its intranet page to provide
more guidance to employees on when interactions with non-Federal individuals or entities covered under FACA.
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