Countering the Rad/Nuclear Threat

Tony Fainberg, Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security, gave a presentation about ?Countering Radiological and Nuclear Threats.? Mr. Fainberg discussed the institutional issues with DHS and how the many different pieces that come from different organizations within the government work together. He outlined the principal elements of Border and Transportation Security; Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Protective Service, and the Office for Domestic Preparedness (formerly in the Department of Justice). Mr. Fainberg provided the current organization chart for DHS Scietnce and Technology Directorate. The first stage for the Science and Technology Directorate was the Transition Planning Office. This Office was set up in July 2002 and was staffed with a small core group of scientists, mostly from the National Laboratories. Additional staff was added in December 2002 and January 2003. This group planned the organizational structure and began to set up research and Development programs. DHS organizationally stood up in January 2003 and the relevant portions of other agencies joined in March 2003.