MIAMI – A new Joint Intelligence Operations Coordination Center (JIOCC) in South Florida opened on Wednesday, located in Doral. The JIOCC will be a multi-agency coordination center, and staffed with personnel from multiple DHS components – including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Additional agencies may participate in the future. 
The JIOCC’s primary purpose is to act as a unified control center—and to coordinate operations between participating agencies. This will ensure smoother operations, particularly in areas where an agency’s operations may overlap with others. Additionally, the JIOCC will serve as a ready-made event command post in the event of a disaster or other emergency, such as a strong hurricane.
“The JIOCC represents the culmination of experience, efforts, and expertise to stand up the first South Florida center in full support of the work of our Regional Coordination Mechanisms (ReCoMs) and a ‘One DHS’ effort," said Dave Cinalli from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the first Director of the JIOCC. “Our JIOCC watch standers have done a great job getting this off the ground and up and running.”
U.S. Coast Guard
“The establishment of this JIOCC demonstrates DHS’ commitment to maximize resources, enhance information sharing, and leverage the unique capabilities of the interagency to protect the southern borders and approaches of South Florida,” said Vice Admiral Steven D. Poulin, Director, Joint Task Force-East, and Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. “It is a true testament to DHS’ unity of effort.”
“The interagency information sharing and coordination undertaken by the JIOCC provides tremendous support to our Florida Regional Coordinating Mechanisms (ReCoMs) that protect our ports, our waterways, and our homeland from a litany of potential threats. The Coast Guard, as with each partner agency involved, brings unique capabilities to the table in support of our ReCoMs,” said Rear Admiral Eric Jones, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District. “I am excited at the promise of the JIOCC better synchronizing the efforts of all our regional partners.”
CBP Air and Marine Operations
“The JIOCC is a tremendous example of teamwork, and a picture of what can be accomplished by working closely together. Our operations will all be made more effective with this innovative, integrated approach,” said AMO Southeast Region Executive Director John Priddy.
Homeland Security Investigations
“This joint venture truly demonstrates a commitment by our DHS partners in South Florida to protect the Homeland,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury, of Homeland Security Investigations, Miami. “This JIOCC will be a tremendous asset for HSI and its partner agencies in keeping our communities safe.”
CBP Office of Field Operations
“Interagency partnerships are critical to daily operations when responding to emergency situations, in both the land and maritime environments,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Miami and Tampa Field Office Vernon Foret. “Strong communications across all agencies, and using the ‘One DHS’ approach will enhance our capabilities and limit the chance of something taking a tragic turn. The South Florida JIOCC is a force multiplier and plays an extremely important role in working together to ensure the American people, and people around the world remain safe.”
U.S. Border Patrol
“We take great pride in our DHS partnerships here in Florida. The establishment of the JIOCC provides the opportunity to enhance our collaboration efforts on common objectives and to collectively expand our capabilities,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Thomas Martin, of the U.S. Border Patrol, Miami Sector.
The JIOCC will be staffed by DHS and partner agencies.