News Release

OPM, DHS Officials Recognize Federal Executive Boards for Homeland Security Role

OPM Deputy Director Dan Blair Promotes FEB Role in Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. -- Dan Blair, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) congratulated visiting leaders of Federal Executive Boards (FEB) Wednesday for their work to coordinate agency emergency communications and to protect the safety of federal employees across the country.

"I know you are out there, and we are well served by your presence," Blair said for Director Kay Coles James. "You are such an important conduit not only to the federal agencies and employees around America, but, through them, the American people."

For the second year in a row OPM convened the annual meeting of FEB chairpersons and executive directors in Washington and for the second year made interagency coordination, information sharing and homeland security a central agenda topic. Last year, OPM, DHS, and GSA developed an emergency communications protocol for use in the nation's capital and surrounding areas. The FEBs are in the final stages with similar plans for their employees and local authorities throughout the country.

A sidebar to OPM's communications role in homeland security is its ongoing work with Secretary Tom Ridge's staff to devise contemporary human resources systems for the DHS. The system is based upon the time honored civil service principles and prohibited personnel practices.

Blair conveyed a statement from James that "The dedicated Americans who held this government together -- who came back to work on September 12, 2001 -- have earned the right to have their jobs safeguarded by the merit system principles."

DHS' Stewart Verdery, Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Policy and Planning, and Linda Grinnage, Acting Director for Readiness in the Office of National Security Coordination, were featured guests at the FEB conference.

Established in 1961, Federal Executive Boards link Washington and federal employees nationwide on government policy and initiatives. Roughly 90 percent of federal employees work outside the nation's capital.

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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