Blue Print for Homeland Security

This article is the current featured story in the City Journal. Written by Rudolph Giuliani it goes into some detail (seven pages when I printed it off) about how he believes the future of HLS activities should be structured here in the United States. Several things I noted. He mentions the value of all-hazard approaches since becoming prepared for one type of disaster can help with many other potential risk scenarios. I noted with great interest his emphasis on the use of technology to solve various aspects of what he sees as the problems being encountered. If he had it his way we'd have a system for measuring individual jurisdictional disaster preparedness via a "Readystat" program. He definitely hits on the need for more of a regional approach with functional regional federal offices helping to coordinate activities. I think FEMA Regions could serve this role if allowed to function in a broader context. And, he gave a serious nod to the role citizens can play in prevention and preparedness, with direct mention of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Worth your reading!

This was shared by Michael Byrne, VP with ICF.