Report provides roadmap for first Homeland Security transition

Identifying and filling critical positions, training new executives and working aggressively to get the next presidential team on board are critical steps for a smooth transition at the Homeland Security Department, according to a new report by the National Academy of Public Administration.

The 118-page report, requested by DHS and the House and Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittees, found that while it has made a solid start in planning for the presidential transition, the department and other key players in homeland security have to do more.

"The panel has provided a roadmap for DHS, and made recommendations to Congress, the presidential candidates, and key federal agencies, to reduce America's vulnerability during the election and presidential transition year," said NAPA President Jennifer Dorn. "I have no doubt that our country is up to the job."

Ensuring a smooth transfer of power is considered imperative for Homeland Security, which was created in 2003 and has never experienced an administration change. The leadership transfer may present an opportunity for terrorists to take advantage of perceived vulnerabilities in national security, the report said, pointing to the first World Trade Center attack in 1993, five weeks after President Bill Clinton took office; the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, eight months after President Bush took office; and the Madrid and London train bombings in 2004 and 2005, which occurred within three days to two months of each country's national elections.

The report recommended that from now until the summer's national party conventions the department focus on quickly completing, updating and executing its transition plans, identify key operational positions, begin training and joint exercises, and implement a robust hiring and training program.

In addition, the report said, DHS should work with other agencies and Congress to reach out to the presidential candidates to identify potential transition team members and help them obtain clearances by Election Day. DHS also should work with those groups and the incoming administration to ensure that the new secretary is sworn in on Inauguration Day and that key executives are identified and confirmed by the Senate as quickly as possible, NAPA said.

Responding to concerns that DHS has too many political appointees, NAPA said its research showed the ratio of appointees to career executives to be well within the norms of other Cabinet-level agencies. The report recommended, however, that DHS shift more executives in immigration and border management agencies to field locations and replace noncareer deputy officials, Federal Emergency Management Agency regional administrators and other officials with career executives.

"As this report was being compiled, DHS was continuing to work diligently on its transition plan," DHS spokesman Larry Orluskie said on Friday. "Some of the recommendations in the report are already done."

Most important, Orluskie said, the department has named Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Acton to serve as the department's transition manager. Further, he said, DHS has identified career employees to backfill positions currently occupied by noncareer appointees.

Orluskie said the department also is in the process of creating a hardcopy transition plan and briefing materials with the hope of completing the guide by September. The NAPA report recommended the agency create a comprehensive transition roadmap by Sept. 4, the last day of the party conventions.

DHS also is working with the nonprofit Council for Excellence in Government to help with the transition project. "It's good that NAPA looked at it and that we're on the same track as NAPA in completing the recommendations, " Orluskie said.

Meanwhile, the report noted that two issues must be resolved for DHS to fulfill its mission. First, according to NAPA, much more work has to be done to overcome the resistance of DHS headquarters' role in integrating the work of its individual component agencies. Second, the oversight of Homeland Security by multiple congressional committees has stretched department resources and made it difficult for DHS to enact important legislation.