Government Facilities Sector

The Government Facilities Sector comprises many different types of buildings, both within the US and abroad, owned or rented by various levels of government – federal, state, local, and tribal. Some of these facilities are open to the public for various activities – business dealings, commerce, and leisure. Conversely, some facilities are not publicly accessible due to the sensitive nature of the materials or information they contain, or the equipment and processes they house. Structures include commonplace office spaces and specialized military bases, courthouses, embassies, and national labs. Cyber elements that ensure the sector’s security are also part of this sector, which includes access control and closed-circuit TV systems, as well as individuals with key knowledge.

The Education Facilities Subsector encompasses schools for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, higher education institutions, and business and trade schools. This subsector includes both privately-owned and government-owned facilities.

• Given that these facilities house large student populations for most of the daytime hours during the week plus evening events and weekend activities, schools differ from conventional infrastructure sectors requiring protection. Coordinated emergency management plans covering all potential hazards and practiced with community partners like law enforcement agencies, fire service, emergency management services etc are crucial for the subsector's protection and resilience. Recent incidents such as school shootings and natural disasters highlight the importance of comprehensive plans.
• The decentralized education system in our country, however, presents a roadblock as facilities aren’t obliged to disclose emergency management strategies to the Department of Education, resulting in an absence of comprehensive data on the state of preparedness of various schools.
• Despite these hurdles, agencies such as the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) and Emergency Management are working to enhance school preparedness through guidance, partnerships, grants, training, and other resources. Online portals provide essential information and resources. The effectiveness of these measures is enhanced through collaboration with various stakeholders at all levels.

The National Monuments and Icons Subsector contains a diverse assortment of assets, networks, systems, and functions located across the United States. Many of these assets are listed in either the National Register of Historic Places or the List of National Historic Landmarks.