Secretary of Homeland Security Visits PNWER
PNWER's Matt Morrison, Brandon Hardenbrook, & CBP's
Michele James speak with DHS Secretary John Kelly
PNWER Executive Director Matt Morrison and Deputy Director Brandon Hardenbrook met last week with Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly to discuss PNWER's work on disaster resilience planning and innovative U.S.-Canada border solutions.
Secretary Kelly praised the United State's friendship with Canada, noting that a streamlined secure border would be beneficial to both nations.
Morrison and Hardenbrook shared best practices for engaging stakeholders and improving the U.S.-Canada border. The meeting also included Michele James, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Over the years, PNWER has worked closely with CBP and regional stakeholders to improve border security while enhancing legitimate trade and travel. The PNWER Border working group played a significant role in facilitating stakeholder recommendations included in the joint U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan. For the past two years, the working group has also been involved in preclearance efforts to better facilitate the movement of trade and people across the US-Canada border.
The March 31st dialogue with Secretary Kelly also highlighted the successes of PNWER, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience, and their partners in helping the region to better understand the importance of the shared responsibility of resilience, preparedness, and mitigation and recovery planning. It is through the building of these trusted relationships that solutions to regional issues are found.
PNWER provided several recommendations to DHS on building resilience by engaging with the public and private sector, facilitating cooperation, and establishing trusted partnerships.
These recommendations include:
1. Focus on interdependencies and coordination at the regional level.
2. Incentivize greater public-private partnerships and regional collaboration.
3. Increase investment in mitigation and recovery planning.
PNWER also provided priority recommendations on improving the US-Canada border, which include:
1. Continue to seek stakeholder input on improving border security and utilize the region as a testbed for new technology to improve throughput.
2. Continue to expand the NEXUS program. Utilize the platform for new innovative programs such as the known employer pilot.
3. Work with transportation stakeholders in developing preclearance technical design standards and seek innovative solutions such as utilizing new technology and shared space with CBSA during the rollout of the preclearance program.
Secretary Kelly praised the United State's friendship with Canada, noting that a streamlined secure border would be beneficial to both nations.
Morrison and Hardenbrook shared best practices for engaging stakeholders and improving the U.S.-Canada border. The meeting also included Michele James, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Over the years, PNWER has worked closely with CBP and regional stakeholders to improve border security while enhancing legitimate trade and travel. The PNWER Border working group played a significant role in facilitating stakeholder recommendations included in the joint U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan. For the past two years, the working group has also been involved in preclearance efforts to better facilitate the movement of trade and people across the US-Canada border.
The March 31st dialogue with Secretary Kelly also highlighted the successes of PNWER, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience, and their partners in helping the region to better understand the importance of the shared responsibility of resilience, preparedness, and mitigation and recovery planning. It is through the building of these trusted relationships that solutions to regional issues are found.
PNWER provided several recommendations to DHS on building resilience by engaging with the public and private sector, facilitating cooperation, and establishing trusted partnerships.
These recommendations include:
1. Focus on interdependencies and coordination at the regional level.
2. Incentivize greater public-private partnerships and regional collaboration.
3. Increase investment in mitigation and recovery planning.
PNWER also provided priority recommendations on improving the US-Canada border, which include:
1. Continue to seek stakeholder input on improving border security and utilize the region as a testbed for new technology to improve throughput.
2. Continue to expand the NEXUS program. Utilize the platform for new innovative programs such as the known employer pilot.
3. Work with transportation stakeholders in developing preclearance technical design standards and seek innovative solutions such as utilizing new technology and shared space with CBSA during the rollout of the preclearance program.
PNWER & Sec. Kelly discuss disaster resilience planning and border security and trade