Office of Homeland Security: Basic Facts

The Office

• The President's Executive Order issued October 8, 2001 establishes the Office of Homeland Security.
• The Office is directed to develop and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen protections against terrorist threats or attacks in the US.
• The new Office will coordinate federal, state, and local counter-terrorism efforts.

The Head of the Office

• The President appointed Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania, to head the Office of Homeland Security.
• Governor Ridge is a decorated combat veteran and national leader.
• Governor Ridge reports directly to President Bush.

The Focus of the Office
Governor Ridge will coordinate all federal government terrorist prevention and protection activities within the U.S., and will work with state and local governments on, among other things:

• Detection
• Preparedness
• Prevention
• Protection
• Response and recovery
• Incident management

The Homeland Security Council
The President's Executive Order also establishes a Homeland Security Council that will be responsible for advising and assisting the President with respect to all aspects of homeland security. The Council includes:

• The President and the Vice President;
• Secretary of the Treasury;
• Secretary of Defense;
• Attorney General;
• Secretary of Health and Human Services;
• Secretary of Transportation;
• Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
• Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
• Director of Central Intelligence;
• Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; and
• Other Cabinet members and officials the President may designate to attend.
   

For more information, please see the White House web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/