**February 28 - March 1, 2007 FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education
Project Report**

\(1\) AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY \-- NEWS RELEASE ON \"RIPPLE EFFECT\"

SYMPOSIUM:

APU Press Release: \"Local Disaster Plans Still Have Major Gaps Say
Experts At American Military University\'s \'Ripple Effect\'
Symposium,\" February 22, 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://ca.us.biz.yahoo.com/pz/070222/114279.html?printer=1]{.underline}](http://ca.us.biz.yahoo.com/pz/070222/114279.html?printer=1)

\(2\) AMERICAN RED CROSS ROLE IN NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN/FEDERAL DISASTER
RESPONSE:

Received copy of following email today, which I am assuming, given the
trustworthy source, is legitimate:

\[\"Subject: Red Cross No Longer Has Primary Role in ESF #6

\"The following message is from Joe Becker, Senior Vice President,
Preparedness and Response:

\"Over the past several weeks the American Red Cross has participated,
along with dozens of federal agencies, in the review and re-write of the
National Response Plan (NRP) which is scheduled to be completed on June
1, 2007. During this process we have worked closely with FEMA to clarify
the roles and responsibilities of the Red Cross within the NRP. As you
know, the Red Cross is currently the primary agency for the mass care
area of Emergency Support Function (ESF) #6 Mass Care, Housing and Human
Services.

\"Through the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, however,
Congress has mandated that federal agencies take on additional
responsibilities during emergencies resulting in an expansion of the
responsibilities under ESF #6. FEMA has developed a new operational
framework for ESF#6, which significantly expands the responsibilities
and activities of that emergency support function.

\"With the expansion of ESF#6, it is important that the primary agency
for each area of ESF #6 have the full authority to act on behalf of the
federal government to direct federal resources. Since we can not perform
the command and control duties of a federal agency, we believe that we
should not continue in the primary agency role for mass care. Both of
FEMA and the Red Cross have come to the conclusion that FEMA should now
assume the lead for ESF#6 Mass Care. We will remain as a support agency
to ESF#6 and our support role for the six other emergency support
functions will continue unchanged.

\"Please let me assure you that this change from a primary to a support
agency role will have no affect on our daily mass care service provision
to victims of disaster. The work of the Red Cross as the lead for ESF #6
Mass Care in the NRP has always been completely separate and distinct
from our work as a service provider at the state and local level during
disasters. Be assured that we will continue working with our state and
local partners to open shelters, provide mass feeding, mental health,
basic first aid and blood products during emergencies. As you move
forward with these state and local relationships, it will be important
to emphasize our support for their efforts remains steadfast. In order
to help you explain this change we have prepared a set of Talking Points
for your use with partners, volunteers, donors and the public.

\"The Red Cross will remain the primary agency for mass care until the
NRP review process is completed in early summer and the White House
Homeland Security Council approves the revised National Response Plan.
We remain committed to maintaining our close working relationship with
all levels of government to ensure communities are prepared for
emergencies and that victims of disaster receive compassionate care.\"\]

\(3\) BRANDON UNIVERSITY, MANITOBA CANADA \-- APPLIED DISASTER AND
EMERGENCY STUDIES PROGRAM:

Received from John Lindsay, Chair of the Applied Disaster and Emergency
Studies Department at Brandon University, an updated and more-detailed
description of the Brandon program for upload to The College List
section of the EM HiEd Project website, to replace an older version.
Also discussed the provision of course syllabi noted in the updated
program description \-- for upload to the \"Syllabi Compilation\"
section of the website. Looks like a very interesting and engaging
program. The new ADES program description will soon be uploaded to The
College List. In the meantime, for additional information, John Lindsay
can be reached at: <lindsayj@brandonu.ca>

\(4\) DISASTER ASSISTANCE:

Government Accountability Office. Disaster Assistance: Better Planning
Needed for Housing Victims of Catastrophic Disasters (GAO-07-88).
Washington, DC: GAO, February 2007, 91 pages. Accessed at:
[[http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-88]{.underline}](http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-88)

\(5\) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

Department of Homeland Security. \"DHS Awards \$194 Million to States
for Emergency Management.\" Washington, DC: DHS, February 27, 2007.

[[http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1172607027848.shtm]{.underline}](http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1172607027848.shtm)

\(6\) GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY \-- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND
SECURITY PROGRAM APPROVED:

February 28, 2007 \-- Receive note from Dr. Paul Posner at George Mason
University in Northern Virginia, to the effect that \"our emergency
preparedness and homeland security program was approved for start in
Fall, 2007. Our program involves both a concentration in our MPA program
and a certificate that requires five courses.\" A description of the
proposed GMU program, which will now need to be revised, as well as
contact information for Dr. Posner can be found in the \"Programs Under
Development\" section of The College List on the EM HiEd Project website

\--

[http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/collegelist/proposedprogram/George%20Mason%20University%20-%20Proposed%20MPA%20Concentration.doc](http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/collegelist/proposedprogram/George Mason University - Proposed MPA Concentration.doc)

\(7\) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

Congressional Research Service (Linda-Jo Schierow). The Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): A Summary.

Washington, DC: CRS Report for Congress, January 3, 2007, 9 pages.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32683.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32683.pdf)

\(8\) HOMELAND SECURITY:

Bellavita, Christopher. \"Changing Homeland Security: Ten Essential
Homeland Security Books.\" Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. III, Issue,
1, February 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=3.1.1]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=3.1.1)

\[Abstract: \"In this essay, Christopher Bellavita reviews what he
considers to be ten essential homeland security books, those works he
finds himself returning to as he seeks to understand contemporary
homeland security events. These include the 9/11 Commission Report
(2004); The National Strategy for Homeland Security (2002); After: How
America Confronted the September 12 Era (2003); Imperial Hubris: Why the
West is Losing the War on Terror (2004); America the Vulnerable: How Our
Government is Failing to Protect Us From Terrorism (2004); Homeland
Security: A Complete Guide to Understanding, Preventing, and Surviving
Terrorism (2005); Catastrophe Preparation and Prevention for Law
Enforcement Professionals (2008); Trapped in the War on Terror (2006);
Unconquerable Nation: Knowing Our Enemy; Strengthening Ourselves (2006);
and the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of
Confederation (1777), and the Constitution of the United States of
America (1787). Taken together, Bellavita says, \"these works outline a
broad historical narrative about homeland security. We were attacked. We
quickly developed a strategy to make sure we prevented future attacks.

We tried to come to terms with what happened to us as a
nation\....Homeland security took the first steps toward becoming
institutionalized.\" Not all of the works reviewed in this essay agree
with current policy, but that very disagreement is important. Homeland
security gets better through the open exchange of competing and
contrasting ideas. Keeping this essential debate open and free helps
ensure we will remain an \"Unconquerable Nation.\"\]

\(9\) PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:

Congressional Research Service (Mark Reisch and Jonathan L. Ramseur).

Environmental Activities of the U.S. Coast Guard. Washington, DC: CRS
Report for Congress, January 16, 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22145.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22145.pdf)

Stephenson, W. David, and Eric Bonabeau. \"Expecting The Unexpected:

The Need for a Networked Terrorism and Disaster Response Strategy.\"

Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. III, Issue 1, February 2007. Accessed
at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=3.1.3]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=3.1.3)

\[Abstract: \"Hurricane Katrina focused attention on improving the
command-and-control management response to natural disasters and
terrorist attacks. But what if the command-and-control approach itself
is so fundamentally mismatched to dealing with unpredictable,
rapidly-changing circumstances (including the incapacitation of command
personnel and technology), commonplace in natural disasters or terrorist
attacks, that, even if improved, it is still unequal to the task? The
emphasis placed on improving command and control should instead be
focused on creating a new, alternative emergency management approach
capitalizing on a combination of new communications technology and the
science of social networks and \"swarm intelligence\" that is
fundamentally better matched to the circumstances encountered in
disasters. The hallmarks of such a strategy would be flexibility, ease
of incorporating situational awareness into decision-making, and the
ability of anyone available after a catastrophe to create ad hoc
strategies with available resources.\"\]

Timmons, Ronald P. \"Interoperability: Stop Blaming The Radio.\"
Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. III, Issue 1, February 2007. Accessed
at: <http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=3.1.5>

\[Abstract: \"Communications continues to be a major issue in
post-disaster after-action reports. Under the umbrella term
interoperability, grant funding is facilitating deployment of equipment
to enable field personnel to patch radio systems together, with the
expectation of improving emergency scene communications. However,
numerous causal factors, beyond hardware limitations, contribute to
inadequate disaster communications. Communications impediments include
insufficient radio infrastructure, behavioral reactions by people in
stressful situations, intergovernmental relations, inadequate procedures
and training, and general lethargy over the need to institute special
operating policies distinct from routine practices. Relying solely on
technological solutions, without providing training and practice,
greatly reduces the effectiveness of radio patching equipment. Contrary
to the intended effect, patching equipment, in the hands of those
minimally familiar with the radio system architecture, is likely to
produce radio communications system overload and sector vulnerability.
This article examines the domain of emergency scene communications,
including recommendations that reach beyond technological solutions.\"\]

\(10\) PRIVATE SECTOR AND HAZARDS AND DISASTERS:

Raisch, William, et al. Mobilizing Corporate Resources to Disasters:

Toward a Program for Action. New York: International Center for
Enterprise Preparedness, New York University, January 24, 2007, 49
pages. Accessed at:

[[http://www.nyu.edu/intercep/events/20070125-218.html]{.underline}](http://www.nyu.edu/intercep/events/20070125-218.html)

\(11\) RESOURCES:

International Center for Enterprise Preparedness, New York University.

Website accessible at:
[[http://www.nyu.edu/intercep/about/]{.underline}](http://www.nyu.edu/intercep/about/)

\[\"About Us: The International Center for Enterprise Preparedness is
the world\'s first major academic center dedicated to private sector
crisis management and business continuity. Businesses and other private
sector organizations set the initial mission of the Center and remain
engaged on an ongoing basis in its evolution. The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security provided the core funding for this initiative to
create a truly international resource for education and research in this
vital area\....\"\]

\(12\) SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTS AND HURRICANE KATRINA:

Government Accountability Office. Hurricane Katrina: Agency Contracting
Data Should Be More Complete Regarding Subcontracting Opportunities for
Small Business (GAO-07-205). Washington, DC: GAO Report to Congressional
Addressees, March 2007, 61 pages. Accessed at:
[[http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-205]{.underline}](http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-205)

\(13\) STATE AND URBAN AREA HOMELAND SECURITY PLANS AND EXERCISES CRS
REPORT:

Congressional Research Service (Shawn Reese). State and Urban Area
Homeland Security Plans and Exercises: Issues for the 110th Congress.
Washington, DC: CRS Report for Congress, January 2, 2007, 5 pages.
Accessed at:
[[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RS22393.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RS22393.pdf)

\(14\) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS \-- INVESTIGATING DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM:

March 1, 2007 \-- Talked today with Richard L. Jaehne, Director of the
Illinois Fire Service Institute at the University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign campus, concerning the school\'s interest in
investigating the development of some sort of emergency management
program for all three campuses of the University of Illinois (the other
two being Chicago and Springfield). The primary interest at this stage
of the investigation is within the broad topical areas of emergency
management, first responder, and homeland security education,
professional training, research, and community service \-- particularly
via a distance learning methodology \-- and in an interdisciplinary
context (which is a fairly big plate). Went through some of the features
of the EM HiEd Project website, noted several observations of mine
concerning emergency management higher education, and noted that an
additional point of contact at the University of Illinois who might be
brought into this investigation is Robert B. Olshansky, Department of
Urban and Regional Planning. For additional information, Richard Jaehne
can be reached at: <jaehne@fsi.uiuc.edu>

\(15\) WAR ON TERROR:

Fisher, Uri. \"Deterrence, Terrorism, and American Values.\" Homeland
Security Affairs, Vol. III, Issue 1, February 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=3.1.4]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=3.1.4)

\[Abstract: \"This article explores the practical obstacles to applying
deterrence to United States counterterrorism policy. Many commentators
still discuss deterrence as a tool for U.S. policymakers to use to
prevent future terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland or its interests
abroad. This paper argues that, while theoretically deterrence may be a
viable approach to defending against terrorism, the actual policy
choices that will be required of the U.S. to deter terrorism are morally
and politically problematic. To effectively deter elements of a
terrorist organization the U.S. would be forced to pursue policies that
come into direct conflict with American core values. This paper aims to
identify a number of the actual policy choices the U.S. must consider in
order to deter the elements that comprise a terrorist organization and
assess the compatibility of those choices with democratic values.\"\]

Lustick, Ian S. \"Fractured Fairy Tale: The War on Terror and the
Emperor\'s New Clothes.\" Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. III, Issue 1,
February 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=3.1.2]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=3.1.2)

\[Abstract: \"The War on Terror continues to attract the allegiance of
every politician in the country, whether as a justification for keeping
U.S. troops in Iraq (to win in the \"central front\" in the War on
Terror), or as a justification for withdrawing them (to win the really
crucial battles in the War on Terror at home and in Afghanistan). Both
official rhetoric and practice, including wars abroad, massive
surveillance activities, and colossal expenditures, have bolstered the
reigning belief that America is locked in a death struggle with
terrorism. Yet it is difficult, indeed, impossible to find a survey by a
major American polling organization that has even asked the question
\"Do you think there should be a War on Terror?\" What accounts for the
prominence of the terrorist threat in the American imagination and the
stupendous success of the War on Terror as a political program, frame of
reference for policy? Certainly it is not the scale of the threat to the
homeland. Since 9/11 there has been no evidence of any serious terrorist
threat from Islamic extremists inside America, no sleeper cells, no
attacks, no serious planning or preparation for an attack. In this
essay, Ian Lustick, author of Trapped in the War on Terror examines how
the War on Terror was triggered, how it sustains itself, and how it
conceals its irrationality.\"\]

That\'s all.

Wayne B.

B.Wayne Blanchard, Ph.D., CEM

Higher Education Project Manager

Emergency Management Institute

National Emergency Training Center

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Homeland Security

16825 S. Seton, K-011

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

\(301\) 447-1262, voice

\(301\) 447-1598, fax

wayne.blanchard@dhs.gov

[[http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu]{.underline}](http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu)

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