Organizational Functions
The Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response provides intelligence, policy, emergency response, and exercise support to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to aid with decision making that enables the safe, secure, and resilient operations of the Nation’s transportation system and infrastructure.
Director / Deputy Director
The Office of the Director includes the administrative staff, continuity program staff, and a staff member assigned as the Senior DOT Liaison to the North American Aerospace Defense/United States Northern Command (NORAD/NORTHCOM) at Peterson Air Force Base, CO and a staff member assigned as the Senior DOT Liaison to the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, IL.
The Director serves as the Department’s Emergency Coordinator, providing leadership for all Departmental civil transportation intelligence issues, national security policy, and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities related to emergencies that affect the viability of the transportation sector. The Director implements the Secretary’s delegated authority under the Defense Production Act, develops Departmental plans to support the Department of Defense (DoD) Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, and oversees the Department’s Sensitive Security Information Program. As the DOT lead Federal Senior Intelligence Coordinator, the Director is the primary liaison to the U.S. Intelligence Community representing DOT intelligence needs and interests in meetings with the Director of National Intelligence and other U.S. Intelligence Community senior leaders. The Director serves as the Continuity Coordinator, to ensure the Department can conduct its essential functions under all threats and conditions.
Intelligence Division
The Intelligence Division is responsible for providing all-source intelligence products to the Secretary and other DOT staff ensuring they are apprised of current developments and long-range trends in international terrorism; global and international topics concerning aviation, trade, transportation markets, trade agreements, and related topics in international cooperation and facilitation.
National Security Policy and Preparedness Division
The National Security Policy and Preparedness Division supports DOT’s interests on national security policy issues by participating in Executive Office of the President/National Security Council and other interagency efforts to develop and implement national security policy. These activities directly support various Presidential Directives, Executive Orders, national strategies and frameworks, and congressional mandates. The Division also represents DOT as the Co-Sector-Risk Management Agency—alongside the Department of Homeland Security—for the Transportation Systems Sector to ensure unity of effort while coordinating the development of policy and strategy documents, interagency communications, and outreach to stakeholders. The Division leads Departmental efforts to maintain preparedness through (1) continuity policies and programs focused on DOT’s readiness to withstand any type of emergency or disruption effectively and efficiently; (2) biodefense and public health expertise; and through (3) Departmental coordination on national exercise planning, development, and implementation processes.
Response and Recovery Division
The Response and Recovery Division is responsible for coordinating the Department’s preparedness, response, and recovery activities during all-hazard incidents as the Emergency Support Function #1 - Transportation (ESF-1). ESF-1 provides support to DHS by assisting Federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, voluntary and nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector in the management of transportation systems and infrastructure during domestic threats or in response to incidents.
Operations Division
The Operations Division consists of the Department’s Transportation Operations Center (TOC), which monitors the Nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The TOC is the central point for the Department’s interagency liaison and coordination with other Federal Operations centers.
Protective Service Division
Provides for the safety and security of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, as directed. The Division also performs other duties as assigned by the Director.