1. Houston UASI and RCPI A local-regional approach to THIRA
Alison Belcher Houston UASI
Mel Bartis
Houston RCPI
Houston UASI and RCPI A local-regional approach to THIRA

2. Overview History of risk/capability analysis in Houston region
Benefits of a regional THIRA
What we hope to accomplish with a regional THIRA
Proposed regional THIRA process
Potential integration with State of Texas THIRA
Benefits
Challenges

3. Past Threat, Risk, and Capability Assessment Efforts
Since 2003, the Houston Region has done at least 5 separate comprehensive threat analyses, capability assessments, and risk assessments
Most recent capability and risk assessments in 2009/10 (RCPGP)
Assisted us in determining our RCPG planning baseline
Prioritized hazards and capability gaps for planning
Identified local and regional strengths and weaknesses
Informed the prioritization of funds for UASI
H-GAC and local jurisdiction Mitigation Action Plans
Hazard identification
Hazard analysis
Risk assessment
Conservative estimate.
Not all of the assessments were required, but often times it was the right thing to do.

4. Digital Sandbox, January 2010
FINDINGS
Digital Sandbox, January 2010

5. Digital Sandbox, January 2010
FINDINGS
Digital Sandbox, January 2010

6. FINDINGS
CNA, September 2009

7. CURRENT Risk and Capability Assessment Efforts
PHEP Grant Requirement – Houston Health Department is the Texas lead agency for development of the new Texas Public Health Risk Assessment Tool
Multi-jurisdictional collaborative with State, Regional, County, Local, academic, public health, emergency management, health care systems, and mental health systems representatives participating in its design and development
The first version of the tool has been released for statewide use for all PHEP funded LHD  and regional health department jurisdictions
Developers are reviewing CPG 201 to see potential links w/ emergency management and homeland security partners
Might be too wordy.

8. Benefits of a Regional THIRA
Important contributions to the region’s existing risk management program.
Already a “quasi-requirement” of RCPGP … suspect it might be for FY2013 UASI.
Change the focus of capabilities from target to core – making it easier to update the regional strategy in the fall.
RCPGP 2009 requires that we “Complete and document an all-hazards risk assessment that will include but not be limited to consideration of the National Planning Scenarios and other manmade or natural hazards of special concern to the region”

9. What we hope to accomplish with a regional THIRA
Better visibility of our gaps
Create a more informed process to steer future projects
Assist/inform state’s efforts in their THIRA and with the SPR

10. Houston Region’s Plan for THIRA
To merge our existing risk and capability data with the FEMA THIRA process to deliver an assessment of practical value to our region.
THIRA
Fusion/LE/CIKR
assessments
Regional capability assessments
Mitigation-related assessments
Regional risk assessments
I’m not sure where I’m going with this drawing…
Public health assessments
Private-sector risk assessments
Local Jurisdiction assessments

11. Our Strategy
Our process will involve multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional collaboration
We will engage relevant preparedness stakeholders (including private sector partners and other whole community partners)

12. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012
PROCESS – Step 1
Review the region’s existing threat and hazard identification results, plans and assessments
Mitigation Plan for H-GAC, RCPG Risk and Capability Assessments, etc.
Outcome of Step 1:
List natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards that are of greatest concern to our region
CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

13. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012
PROCESS – STEP 2
Provide context to list of threats and hazards related to their impact to our region.
Outcome of Step 2:
Threat and hazard descriptions tied to the Houston region’s critical infrastructure and population profiles.
CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

14. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012
PROCESS – STEP 3
Define, using core capabilities, the impacts each threat/hazard will have on our region and our desired outcomes.
Build matrix that aligns the threats and hazards with each of the capabilities & consequences for our region.
Outcome of Step 3:
Create the list of desired outcomes and impacts for core capabilities.
CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

15. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012
PROCESS – STEP 4
Establish capability targets that tie together our estimated impacts and desired outcomes.
Outcome of Step 4:
Create the list of capability targets.
RCPGP 2009 requires that we “Complete and document an all-hazards risk assessment that will include but not be limited to consideration of the National Planning Scenarios and other manmade or natural hazards of special concern to the region”
CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

16. CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012
PROCESS – STEP 5
Build summary report for UASI and RCPG regions, and executive summary for State of Texas
Outcome of Step 5:
Completed Houston Regional THIRA (RCPG and UASI regions).
I took some creative license here.
CNA & Digital Sandbox, May 2012

17. Integration with State of Texas THIRA
Benefits:
Provides a local/urban area geographic context to the THIRA
Provides the same “sheet of music” – if we’re all using the same process, it eases collaboration
State and FEMA Region VI will receive a closer snapshot of analysis for the Houston Urban Area
It’s the right thing to do – we need to understand our own risks, capabilities, and gaps to continue moving forward with our homeland security strategies
State may or may not care about geographic context.

18. Integration with State of Texas THIRA
Challenges:
With a state as large and diverse as Texas, how do you truly capture the threats and hazards of concern?
Want to avoid “too many cooks in the kitchen” while still informing the process
Timeline may not allow for thorough integration of local THIRAs with state THIRA
State may or may not care about geographic context.

19. Questions?
Alison Belcher Lead UASI Planner
Mel Bartis Houston RCPI Program Manager