Assessment of the Bureau of Reclamation's Security Program (2008) / Chapter Skim
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4 Future Plans
4 Future Plans
Pages 71-82
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From page 71... ...
While it has made significant progress in doing so, some fundamental issues need to be resolved for Reclamation to develop a culture of security as strong as its culture of dam safety -- that is, one in which the policies, practices, and procedures for dam security are well developed and reflected in Reclamation's decision making and routine operations. Developing a culture of security and a program that is sustainable over the long term will require the following: • Senior management support and commitment, • Adequate resources, • Performance measurement and evaluation, • A system for capturing and disseminating lessons learned, and • A vision and a long-term plan for a sustainable program.
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From page 72... ...
Reclamation's senior managers are responsible for establishing the vision and objectives for the security program, establishing Reclamation-wide policies and procedures, determining priorities for resource allocation, selecting personnel in key positions, and communicating why a security program is critical to achieving Reclamation's mission. Establishing metrics for progress in achieving security-related objectives and outcomes, assigning responsibilities clearly to key individuals, providing adequate resources to meet program objectives, and holding their staff accountable for results are also responsibilities of senior managers.
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From page 73... ...
Often the attitude exhibited by a regional director was reflected by area office managers and facility operators. Frustration and confusion were most evident among those area office managers who were clearly committed to providing security but who reported to regional office directors who were not as committed.
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From page 74... ...
The responsibilities of this group include developing Reclamation-wide policies and operating procedures, conducting security assessments, managing risks, identifying risk mitigation projects and prioritizing them across an inventory of facilities, conducting background checks on staff and contractors, designing and implementing physical security improvements, identifying and analyzing suspicious and criminal activities through liaisons with other federal agencies and local law enforcement, developing security response plans, conducting exercises, and responding to malicious acts. Reclamation's field personnel and its partners also participate in some aspects of the security program, which leverages the resources available to the SSLE.
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From page 75... ...
Reclamation's dam safety program also seeks to protect the general public. However, some dam safety projects are partially reimbursable: Reclamation pays for 85 percent of the project, and a stakeholder who benefits from the project pays 15 percent.
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From page 76... ...
These measures represent the start of a performance measurement system for Reclamation's security program. However, the actual measures focus on the risk assessment element and do not address law enforcement, intelligence gathering and dissemination, training and exercises, protection maintenance, or incident response.
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From page 77... ...
Number of periodic security Tracks progress in assessing risks and identifying risk assessments conducted protective measures needed at critical facilities. annually on critical or project-essential facilities Percentage of risk assessment Tracks implementation (funding, installation, recommendations that have and operation)
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From page 78... ...
In developing a more complete set of measures for its security program, Reclamation could begin by looking at the performance measures used by similar programs of other federal or quasi-federal agencies, including the Federal Protective Service, USACE, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Western Area Power Authority. Finding: Reclamation has developed some performance measures for evaluating the risk mitigation component of its site security program.
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From page 79... ...
Finding: Lessons-learned processes can be useful for sharing experiencebased information in an organization and for continually improving organizational processes, knowledge, and standards. Sources of lessons learned include after-action reports from training exercises, other forms of simulation, and other organizations.
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From page 80... ...
As stated on its Web site, the mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to "manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public." Reclamation's Vision Statement reads as follows: Through leadership, use of technical expertise, efficient operations, r esponsive customer service and the creativity of people, Reclamation will seek to protect local economies and preserve natural resources and ecosystems through the effective use of water. The commissioner's plan for how Reclamation will attain its vision includes the following: • Directing our leadership and technical expertise in water resources development and in the efficient use of water through initiatives including conservation, reuse, and research.
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From page 81... ...
When asked about their goals for the security program, senior managers focused on tactical issues such as addressing the backlog of identified risk mitigation projects, finding ways to lower the costs of site security guards, and periodically conducting threat assessments and training exercises. Strategic issues, such as how security is to be embedded in Reclamation's culture and how regional security coordination is to be improved, were not identified.
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From page 82... ...
2002. Using Strategic Human Capital Management to Drive Transformational Change.
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