ABOUT US 

As the Agency responsible for leading the planning and coordination of the District of Columbia's homeland security and emergency management efforts, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) works closely with our District, federal and regional partners to ensure that the District of Columbia is prepared to prevent, protect against, respond to, mitigate and recover from all threats and hazards. Our work is divided into the following major areas: 

Executive Office of the Director: 

Provide executive leadership, decision-making, and administrative authority over HSEMA. The Executive Office houses key strategic functions to include: 

• Office of External Affairs: Spearhead all external and public affairs initiatives, including outreach and coordination with the public, private industry, media, and District public information officers. 

• Office of the General Counsel: Provide legal counsel and policy advisement to the Director and agency. 

• Office of Special Events: Co-chair the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group, which is responsible for convening and coordinating essential municipal services in support of special events to ensure events occurring on public space in the District of Columbia are conducted in a manner that protects public health and safety. 

• Office of Policy, Performance, and Data: Formulate and update policies in service to agency and staff; develop and track metrics and documentation related to enterprise-wide performance; and develop and maintain data and geospatial solutions. 

Mission Support Division 

Manage HSEMA’s day-to-day enterprise operations and activities. Ensures forward-movement on the Director’s strategic priorities, as well as order, process, and standardization development across HSEMA. The Mission Support division houses the Office of the Chief of Staff, which includes enterprise programs such as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Internship Program, Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network membership, CORE DC (agency’s system of record and incident management platform), and others.  

• Administration Bureau: Manages HSEMA’s day-to-day administrative functions which includes Finance and Human Resources. 

• Grants Management Bureau: Manages the federal homeland security grant programs awarded to the District and the National Capital Region. 

• Technology Innovation Bureau: Manages, in coordination with OCTO, HSEMA’s IT systems and other technology needs. Ensures technology, software, systems, and security is performing optimally, always, in the Emergency Operations Center 

• Resilience Bureau: Leads efforts to identify, plan for, and implement projects, programs, and initiatives that enhance the District's resilience, mitigate natural hazards, and protect critical infrastructure. Address the needs of the disability, access and functional needs (DAFN) community in emergency planning.   

Operations and Intelligence Division: 

Develop, implement, and maintain the agency’s steady-state and emergency operations activities. 

• Safety & Security Bureau: Maintains and promotes a healthy, safe, and secured work environment for all employees and visitors. 

• Facilities & Logistics Bureau: Provides inventory management and control, fleet management, transportation, and warehousing services in support of agency operations and the District resource management system.   

• Preparedness Bureau: Coordinates the development and sustainment of capability and capacity throughout the District’s emergency management program to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all threats and hazards that may impact the District.  

• Readiness, Response & Coordination Bureau: Builds District crisis and consequence management capabilities by providing leadership; developing plans, procedures, and policies; coordinating training and exercises; administering qualifications and credentials; and coordinating operations prior to, during, and following incidents/events.   

• Situational Awareness Bureau (DC Fusion Center): Provides continuous situational awareness and incident management coordination services, monitoring for and sensing emerging District and regional incidents which present risk to residents/visitors, businesses, and critical infrastructure and may necessitate emergency response (incident management) operations. 

• Strategic Intelligence Bureau (DC Fusion Center): Provides strategic analysis of regional threats and hazards, while enhancing value-added information sharing among public and private sector partners.