U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528 

Homeland 

Security 

State Homeland Security Advisors, 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rapidly expanded its computer-based counterterrorism network, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), to our State and 

Territorial homeland security partners. The deployment of the core system within HSIN, the 

Joint Regional Information Exchange System (JRIES), was performed quickly to ensure 

nationwide connectivity before an anticipated period of increased threat. The initial roll-out 

training was very limited and DHS would now like to provide a more robust training session to 

improve collaboration and information sharing among all HSIN/JRIES users. 

It is DHS’ desire to conduct the training in areas where users in a particular state, or possibly 

adjacent states, could easily drive to the training and may only have to incur a one night hotel 

charge. As this is a DHS sponsored training event, grant funds from the Office for Domestic 

Preparedness may be used to enable participation. 

We would like the Homeland Security Advisors assistance to coordinate this additional training 

effort and to encourage everyone in your state who recently received JRIES to attend these 

training seminars. We will need your assistance as follows: 

1. Each state/territory identify a main point-of-contact (POC) whom DHS should coordinate 

with regarding JRIES training program (the “Training POC”) and communicate their contact 

information to the DHS individuals listed at the end of this memorandum.

2. Each training POC, provide assistance in identifying and notifying participants of the training 

and course dates. A list of current users within each State will be provided separately. This 

assistance will include: 

• Selecting participants for training based on current JRIES users within the State to 

include lead law enforcement, emergency management personnel, National Guard 

personnel, and State/Local leadership, 

• Help coordinate participants travel and lodging as needed, and 

• Provide a final list of participants to DHS at least 5 working days prior to training. 

The proposed training schedule is ambitious and this schedule requires close coordination 

between the State Homeland Security Advisors and DHS. We plan to field eight training teams, 

providing two days of training at each locality with the aim of beginning the training as early as 
October 15th and completing the training by mid-December. DHS will provide trainer(s) and 

training material. 

DHS will identify and schedule a suitable training facility for each training event. The facility 

will be capable of accommodating a maximum of 30 people for a 3-day period (1 day setup; 2 

days training) and include: 

• One computer for every 1 to 2 participant(s) 

• High speed internet access 

• Projection capability 

The National Guard has Distance Learning Training Facilities with computer assets. These 

training facilities may provide viable, low cost options to conduct this training. DHS is currently 

working with the National Guard to identify these facilities within the States that may be 

available. DHS will take full responsibility for securing and paying for a training facility, and 

will work with each State’s Training POC on this issue. 

In the near future, a representative from DHS' Office of State and Local Government 

Coordination (SLGC) will contact your office to provide additional information about the 

planned HSIN training. You are kindly requested to work directly with Ms Kimmeta Black 

(Homeland Security Information Network Program Office) in identifying and coordinating 

suitable dates, facilities and attendees for the training. Ms Black can be reached via e-mail at 

kimmeta.black@associates.dhs.gov, by phone at 202-282-8331, through her HSIN/JRIES 

account. 

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Justin Reed of DHS 

SLGC, at 202-282-8213, justin.reed@associates.dhs.gov, or through his HSIN/JRIES account.