WASHINGTON, D.C. – The State of the Union Address, which is scheduled for January 31, 2006 at the U.S. Capitol, has been designated by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff as a National Special Security Event (NSSE).
When an event is given the NSSE designation, the U.S. Secret Service becomes the lead agency for security design, planning and implementation of the operational security plan. The goal of the cooperating federal, state and local agencies is to develop and implement a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment for the general public, event participants and other dignitaries in attendance.
As with previous NSSEs in the Washington, D.C. area, the Secret Service is working alongside a wide range of law enforcement entities, most notably the U.S. Capitol Police. Other participating federal and local public safety and government agencies include:
- Metropolitan Police Department
- United States Park Police
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services
- D.C. Office of the Mayor
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Joint Forces Headquarters – National Capital Region/Military District of Washington
- Metro Transit Police Department
- U.S. Northern Command
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This is the fifth State of the Union Address to have been designated an NSSE.