Homeland Security and Policy

Metropolitan Washington faces unique homeland security and public safety challenges as the center of the federal government, an international tourist destination, and a major metropolitan area. Since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, governments, nonprofits, and private partners have worked together to increase the region’s ability to protect against, prepare for, and respond to natural and man-made threats.

COG has played a key role in this effort, building on its extensive relationships throughout the region. COG works to foster collaboration throughout the region and provide decision-makers and subject matter experts with the tools needed to make sound financial, resource, and programmatic decisions regarding regional homeland security preparedness, response, and recovery. COG supports the regional homeland security activities by working with stakeholders to:

• Coordinate regional priority setting;
• Identify regional goals and objectives and the capabilities and projects necessary to achieve them; and
• Develop regional strategic policy.