Fusion Liaison Officer (FLO) Program

The Fusion Liaison Officer (FLO) Program is a statewide network of agency-selected law enforcement, fire-fighting and critical infrastructure agency representatives. The FLO program serves as an integral component of the Statewide Integrated Intelligence System (SIIS) and provides the mechanism to gather and analyze information, and share actionable intelligence. FLO’s attend a DHS approved basic course of instruction hosted by the Washington State Fusion Center (WSFC).

The FLO program benefits its partners in the following ways:

• Expedites the flow of information throughout the state, providing a more rapid response to matters of both state and national security;
• Increases awareness of pre-incident indicators and warnings of terrorism and significant criminal activity;
• Establishes standardized reporting protocols for the SIIS;
• Opens communication channels between law enforcement, fire-service, critical infrastructure, Regional Intelligence Groups (RIGs) and the WSFC; and
• Enhances SIIS efficiency and effectiveness while increasing information collection opportunities.

The development and coordination of a network of trained and certified FLOs ensures that vital disciplines are incorporated into the fusion process by serving as the conduit through which homeland security and crime related information flows to the WSFC for assessment and analysis through the state homeland security Regional Intelligence Groups.

The goal is to develop a FLO program that complements the SIIS. The end state is to have FLOs throughout the state in all aspects of law enforcement, fire service and critical infrastructure.

FLO Certification Training is hosted throughout the state as demand and funding allow.

FLO Candidate Qualifications

Fusion Liaison Officer Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a commissioned police officer, or performing a law enforcement function and employed by a law enforcement agency (analyst, mission support, etc).
• Be a government employee or contractor who has a public safety or emergency preparedness job function (firefighter, public safety, emergency preparedness, health, military,etc)
• Be a representative of private sector or non-profit organization that has a job function that demonstrates a “Need to Know” and,
  • Supports Homeland Security functions, and
  • Is considered Critical Infrastructure or a Key Resource, or
  • Job Function directly relates to operations, planning, prevention, protection, response or recovery to emergency operations.

The WSFC reserves the right to approve or deny all applications

FLO Training Topics

FLO Basic training provides the tools and resources to effectively participate in the FLO Program for the WSFC . The topics include the following:

• Provide a basic understanding of the FLO program.
• Provide instruction on the Statewide Integrated Intelligence System.
• Provide instruction on the WSFC Privacy Policy, the protection of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and 28 CFR Part 23.
• Educate the students in key concepts of intelligence, networking, terrorist infrastructures and emerging threats to better conduct the FLO mission.
• Provide students with a basic understanding of the National Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative.

For more information, contact the WSFC 1-877-843-9522 or email to FLO@wsfc.wa.gov. Completed FLO Applications can be emailed to FLO@wsfc.wa.gov or secure faxed to 206.262.2014.