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

The following ranking criteria will be used by the Selection Committee when evaluating nominations (see attached evaluation form);

1. Contributions or attributes that support a Dam public safety and security program
2. Improvements made and/or challenges faced that contributed to the public safety and security program in the fields of Physical, Personnel, Information, and/or Cyber security related to the Dam Sector.
3. Means and Methods taken to ensure conformance of a good public safety and/or security program for dams
4. Education and Training that provided the basis of supporting a public safety and/or security program.
5. Documentation and structure case presented in support of the recognition nomination packet

In order to qualify for this recognition, please submit a formal, written nomination to William F. Foos (wfoos@gfnet.com). Nominations need to be received on or before February 28th of the year in which the nomination is to be considered. The nomination should be no longer than 8 pages including the text, figures, and photographs and should address the following factors:

1. Identify at least one of the six purposes above for which the recognition is being made.
2. Provide as specific as possible those attributes associated with the identified purpose that merits recognition (In what way is this special compared to the industry?).
3. Provide illustrations, examples, or sources that can be referenced that support the recognition of the individual, organization, or project as related to public safety and/or security.
4. Provide an individual resume, or organization/project profile that can provide the background for supporting the nomination to the review committee for the “Public Safety and Security of Dams Recognition.”
5. Highlight any or all items that support the recognition packet that include public safety and/or security related education and training both internal and external to the associated organization, or improvements made or challenges faced, possibly as a result of a public safety and security incident.