The Homeland Security Division (HSD), under the Assistant Secretary for
Administration, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination, serves
as USDA's focal point for coordination of homeland security policy, training,
and exercises. In addition, HSD serves as USDA’s lead on the Food and
Agriculture (FA) Sector Government Coordinating Council (GCC). Specifically,
HSD’s mission includes the following activities:
Policy HSD advises the Secretary and Deputy
Secretary on Homeland Security, National Security, and Emergency Response
issues. In addition, HSD coordinates National and Homeland Security policy
across all USDA agencies and offices and represents USDA’s policy interests
externally at White House Interagency Policy Committees.
Training and Exercises HSD works to sustain an
all-hazards emergency management and homeland security training and exercise
program within USDA. Activities include assisting with implementation of the
National Incident Management System (NIMS) throughout the Department
coordination of input to the National Exercise Scheduling System (NEXS). USDA
exercises are conducted under Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
(HSEEP) guidelines and include evaluations, the identification of corrective
actions and the development of improvement plans. HSD participates in the
planning, conduct and evaluation of inter-agency exercises and prepares senior
USDA representatives for participation in major exercises. In addition, HSD
represents the Department at interagency training and exercise meetings and the
Exercise and Evaluation Sub-Interagency Policy Coordination Committee (E&E
Sub-IPC) meetings.
Food and Agriculture Sector Coordination The FA
Sector is one of 18 critical infrastructure sectors and is comprised of complex
production, processing, and delivery systems. The mission of the FA Sector is to
protect against a disruption in the food supply that would pose a serious threat
to public health, safety, welfare, or to the national economy. At USDA,
leadership for Sector Specific Agency responsibilities rests with OHSEC’s HSD,
which coordinates with all USDA agencies and offices to meet sector goals.