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Pepperdine | School of Public Policy

About Us

Our Vision

The Homeland Security Advisory Council at Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy (HSAC@SPP) is a non-profit, innovative, academic enterprise, whose vision is to be the indispensable bridge for public safety collaboration in order to cause the Los Angeles region to be better prepared, more secure, and more resilient in the face of threats and hazards.

Our Mission

HSAC@SPP strives to catalyze and support a multi-jurisdictional and comprehensive approach to preparedness, security, and resiliency in the Los Angeles region by providing innovative technology and opportunities for engagement, capability building, and partnerships for the public, private, and civic sectors across the region.

  • Technology

 Maximize community resilience by advancing technological innovation

  • Engagement

 Facilitate open and effective communication and collaboration, and inspire new ideas among forward-thinking leaders

  • Capability

 Integrate technical expertise and evidence-based research into effective and accessible solutions pre, trans, and post-crisis

  • Partnership

 Create opportunities for leaders across the various sectors to learn from each other

Our History

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, City and County of Los Angeles leadership joined together to form HSAC in 2002, which became a 501(c)(3) in 2009. HSAC sought to create a local, all-sector network that would enhance the Los Angeles region's resilience to large-scale disasters: active threats, earthquakes, wildfires, pandemics, severe weather, and cyber-attacks.

Since 2016, HSAC has pivoted its focus to better serve the evolving needs of local crisis managers. To that end, HSAC continues to build strategic partnerships among the private, public, and civic sectors, which serves to engage regional public safety leaders and stakeholders so they may create innovate public safety solutions. In addition to building partnerships, HSAC has developed and supports a cutting-edge crisis and event management platform, which has been used throughout the Los Angeles region. Furthermore, HSAC advances research that enhances the work of public safety professionals, while also partnering with local Universities to help prepare the next generation of crisis management professionals.

On August 1, 2019, HSAC formally partnered with Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy to form HSAC@SPP.