Dams are identified in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan as a Critical Infrastructure.  Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) notes, “Critical infrastructure owners and operators are uniquely positioned to manage risks to their individual operations and assets, and to determine effective strategies to make them more secure and resilient.” Individual efforts to manage risk are enhanced by a collaborative public-private partnership that operates as a unified national effort, as opposed to a hierarchical, command-and-control structure.[1]

Organizations, specific projects, and individuals have taken the call to lead the Dam industry in establishing public safety and security standards & guidelines, enhancing public safety and security and public safety controls, providing education and raising awareness, and staying situationally aware of changing and evolving threats and increased public safety risks.  The Physical, Personnel, Information, and Cyber components of a public safety and security practice are challenging enough for traditional buildings and structures, but their application to Dams presents a unique ability that requires professional artistry that shouldn’t go without recognition.  It is for this purpose that this recognition was established by the Committee on Public Safety, Security and Emergency Management for Dams.

[1] DHS NIPP 2013, Partnering for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience p.1