The Department of Homeland Security is not effectively...
The Department of Homeland Security is not effectively managing the radios used by its staff in the field, DHS’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a report released Wednesday, the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, where emergency…
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communications emerged as a key issue. “DHS is unable to make sound investment decisions for radio equipment and supporting infrastructure because the Department is not effectively managing its radio communication program,” OIG said (http://bit.ly/1eEQY2B). “DHS does not have reliable Department-wide inventory data or an effective governance structure to guide investment decision-making. As a result, DHS risks wasting taxpayer funds on equipment purchases and radio system investments that are not needed, sustainable, supportable, or affordable. Two Components we visited stored more than 8,000 radio equipment items valued at $28 million for a year or longer at their maintenance and warehouse facilities, while some programs faced critical equipment shortages.” DHS operates 20 land mobile radio networks for more than 120,000 frontline agents and officers. The report also said different parts of DHS use different systems to record and manage their radios. “DHS has not established Department-wide polices prescribing common data elements, standardized definitions, and requirements for the management of personal property inventory,” the report said.