Sharon I. Peyus and Robert C. Hutchinson Homeland Security Investigations
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Transcript of Sharon I. Peyus and Robert C. Hutchinson Homeland Security Investigations
Central Asia Regional Health Security WorkshopGeorge C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
17-19 April 2012, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Sharon I. Peyus and Robert C. Hutchinson Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementU.S. Department of Homeland Security
17 April 2012
Options for Preventing Disease Transmission at Borders – What Works and
What Does Not?
Introduction
• National Strategy Options– Containment
– Resilience
• What Works
• What Does Not Work
• Issues for Consideration
• Lessons Learned – Full Scale Exercise conducted at the Miami International
Airport, Miami, Florida USA
Containment vs. Resilience
• Resilience– Is resilience politically acceptable?
– Is resilience a socially acceptable concept?
– Can resilience be achieved with education and support?
• Containment– Is containment a viable option for
your resources?
– Is containment politically acceptable?
– Is containment realistic?
• Strategy Considerations– Detecting threat
– Screening
– Stopping or slowing entry of threat
– Quarantine and isolation
– Treatment
– Monitoring
– Challenges
• Expected to delay entry of threat for minimal amount of time
• Human and civil rights considerations
• Trade and economic considerations
• Realistic expectations
Containment Model
Resilience Model
• Strategy Considerations– Detecting threat
– Screening
– Acceptance of entry
– Quarantine and isolation
– Treatment
– Monitoring
– Challenges
• Clear explanation of public responsibilities and governmental capabilities for preparedness and response
• Information sharing and planning
• Leadership
Border Control Planning Efforts
• Border Environments and Their Challenges– Marine border and seaport
– Land border
– Airport
• Authorities and Agreements– To deny entry
– To detain, quarantine, or isolate
– To arrest
– To deport
– Options when deportation is refused
– Use of force
Border Control (cont’d)
• Border Options– Surveillance
– Restriction
– Partial closure
– Full closure
• Capabilities to Enforce Options– Authorities
– Staffing and resources
– Medical resources
– Surge capacity
– Cost and benefits for each option
What Works…
• Prior investment in pandemic preparedness
• Strengthening policies
• All hazards approach
• Surveillance activities
• Logistics
What Works (cont’d)
• Close cooperation and collaboration with all stakeholders – Public / Private sectors
– Non-governmental organizations
– Whole of Society
– Foreign neighbors
• Prevention and mitigation measures (information to mitigate the impact)– Non-pharmaceutical measures (hand washing, social
distancing, school closures, stockpiling of personal protective equipment)
What Does Not Work…
• Closing borders
• Inaccurate / inconsistent messaging
• Lack of multi-sector preparedness, planning and testing
• Lack of community based involvement and cross-border cooperation
What Does Not…(cont’d)
• Lack of support from senior leaders
• No vision for long-term capacity building (improved health care programs, education programs, community development)
• Lack of investment / resources
• No continuity planning
H1N1 Border Activities
• Referring symptomatic persons to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quarantine station or local public health official for evaluation
• No closure of the United States / Mexico border– Scientific evidence did not support as an effective means of
controlling the spread
– Resource intensive
– Disruption of trade and economic interests
• Monitoring incoming travelers at ports of entry
• Providing information about disease control measures
Considerations
• Previous pandemic threats and health issues have proven difficult to control in a global economy
• The speed and ease of travel often reduces the ability to identify and mitigate a threat
• Social, economic and political considerations can affect or reduce policy and strategic options
Considerations (cont’d)
• Now is the time to develop realistic and flexible strategies and plans that take into consideration the points identified
• Understand that few strategies and plans fully survive their first encounter with any quickly evolving threat / event
Full Scale Exercise
Miami International Airport
Miami, Florida
USA
Lessons Learned Part 1
Miami International Airport
• Passengers: 38,314,389
– International: 18,417,513
– Domestic: 19,896,876
• Freight Tons: 2,000,042
• Mail Tons: 30,750
• Busiest U.S. airport for cargo
• 10th busiest airport for cargo in the world
• Freight Forwarders: 1,000
• Customs Brokers: 250
• Economic Impact: $26.7 Billion
Exercise in Airport Environment
• Exercise focused on influenza like symptoms reported on an inbound international flight by the airline
• Airport utilized thermal imaging and questionnaires for compliant passengers
• Several symptomatic passengers were referred for additional screening
• Personnel from several agencies worked well together
Lessons Learned
• Additional resources would be required, but limited in the best of times from federal, state and local partners
• Screening with sufficient staffing works
• Several large aircraft would quickly overwhelm resources
Lessons Learned (cont’d)
• Challenges for containment of passengers
• The current clearance process was not designed for the inclusion of public health screening
• Response depended on no other competing challenges or reduced staffing due to illness or health concerns
Questions?
Questions
Sharon I. Peyus(Former) Director
National Incident Response Unit
(202) 732-0331
Robert C. HutchinsonAssistant Special Agent in Charge
Homeland Security Investigations
(305) 597-6034
Thank You
References
• Congressional Research Service, The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview, August 6, 2009. Available at www.crs.gov
• Congressional Research Service, The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Selected Legal Issues, R40560, October 29, 2009. Available at www.crs.gov
• Congressional Research Service, Immigration Policies and Issues on Health-Related Grounds for Exclusion, Report R40570, January 6, 2011. Available at www.crs.gov
• Homeland Security Council, National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, May 2006
• Homeland Security Council, National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, November 2005