**July 25, 2006 FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Project
Activity Report**

\(1\) DISASTERS WAITING TO HAPPEN:

Revkin, Andrew C. \"Climate Experts Warn Of More Coastal Building.\" New
York Times, July 25, 2006. At:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/science/earth/25coast.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin>

\[Note: The article contains a link to the July 25 \"Statement on the
U.S. Hurricane Problem.\"\]

\(2\) FEMA:

Ahlers, Mike. M. "FEMA: Compassion Without Crookery.\" CNN Online, July
25, 2006. Accessed at:
[[http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/24/fema.revamp/]{.underline}](http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/24/fema.revamp/)

Marino, Jonathan. \"FEMA Outsources Identity Verification For Disaster
Assistance.\" Government Executive, July 24, 2006. At:
[[http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0706/072406j1.htm]{.underline}](http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0706/072406j1.htm)

Roberts, Patrick S. \"FEMA and the Prospects for Reputation-Based
Autonomy.\" Studies in American Political Development, Vol. 20, Issue 1,
Spring 2006, pp. 57-87.

Abstract: \"Following its 1992 reorganization, the once scandal-ridden
and sclerotic Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) experienced a
dramatic turnaround. The agency morphed from a caricature of the ills of
bureaucracy into a model of effective federal administration.
Politicians who previously blamed the agency for its slow and
inefficient response to disasters came to depend on the agency to lend
credibility to their own efforts. After the agency\'s reorganization,
politicians at all levels of government purposefully appeared beside
FEMA workers. As recently as 2002, FEMA\'s reputation was so strong that
the designers of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) included FEMA
in it to lend prestige to the nascent department. Unlike other agencies
so included, FEMA was allowed to keep its name, confirming the cachet of
its brand.\"

Walsh, Bill. \"State Protests FEMA Cash Cut - \'People Will Suffer\'
From Antifraud Rules.\" New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 25, 2006. At:

<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-6/115380803538320.xml&coll=1>

\(3\) HAZARDS MAPPING AND MODELING COURSE \-- UPPER DIVISION/GRADUATE
COURSE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT:

Received for review from lead course developer Dr. John Pine, Director
of the Disaster Science and Management Program at Louisiana State
University. The slide-set to accompany Session 3, \"Modeling Dispersion
of Chemical Hazards, Using ALOHA,\" by Dr. Erno Sajo, Professor,
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University.

Also received for review 3rd draft of Session 10, \"Hurricane Storm
Surge Modeling and Analysis\" by Dr. Pine and Hassan Mashriqui,
Assistant Professor of Research, LSU Hurricane Center.

\(4\) HOMELAND SECURITY:

Barr, Stephan. \"Security Won Out Over Workers, Study Says.\" Washington
Post, July 25, 2006. At:
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/24/AR2006072401089.html>

The Barr article references the following Naval Postgraduate School
study (Drs. Douglas Brooks and Cynthia L. King are faculty there.):

Brook, Douglas A., et al. Legislating Civil Service Reform: The Homeland
Security Act of 2002. Monterey CA: Naval Postgraduate School, Center for
Defense Management Reform, June 22, 2006, 114 pages.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.nps.navy.mil/gsbpp/CDMR/publications.htm]{.underline}](http://www.nps.navy.mil/gsbpp/CDMR/publications.htm)

Bellavita, Christopher. \"Changing Homeland Security: What Should
Homeland Security Leaders Be Talking About?.\" Homeland Security
Affairs. Vol. II, Issue 2, July 2006. Accessed at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.1]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.1)

Abstract: \"There is little political will to substantially alter the
organizational and programmatic system that characterizes U.S. homeland
security. The system we have is the one we have to work with, at least
until something significant happens: another attack, a catastrophic
natural disaster, a national public health emergency, or a new political
administration. If the country is not attacked again, if there are no
more national traumas, then incrementalism is a cautious and appropriate
way to improve homeland security. The next serious national incident
will create an environment that supports, if not demands, substantial
change. What should or could those changes be? Responses to this
question will emerge from conversations among people who care about
homeland security when it is not at the top of the nation\'s policy
agenda - people like those who read Homeland Security Affairs. This
article invites readers to participate in an experiment to answer the

question: What should future-thinking homeland security leaders be
talking about now, and why? To initiate the conversation, this article
offers readers a basic homeland security literacy test and outlines
three big-picture perspectives that can frame conversations about the
future of homeland security: strict constructionism, middle-of-the-road
moderation, and radical reconstructionism.\"

Dynes, Russell R. \"Social Capital: Dealing with Community
Emergencies.\" Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. II, Issue 2, July 2006.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.5]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.5)

Abstract: \"Terrorism produces what is conventionally called disaster.

The locus of the response to disaster is the community, which as a unit
has the social capital necessary to respond to disasters. The six forms
of social capital referenced in this article are obligations and
expectations, informational potential, norms and effective sanctions,
authority relations, appropriable social organizations, and intentional
organizations. Most disaster research has fixated primarily on the
destruction of physical capital (structures) and secondarily on the
destruction of human capital (lives); social capital is less tangible
but, of all forms of capital, is less damaged and less affected by
disaster. Consequently, during the emergency period of disaster
response, it is social capital that serves as the primary basis for a
community response. In addition, social capital is the only form of
capital which is renewed and enhanced during the emergency period. This
article looks at the ways in which the theory of social capital might be
helpful in understanding our response to threat and disaster.

Jenkin, Clinton M. \"Risk Perception and Terrorism: Applying the
Psychometric Paradigm.\" Homeland Security Affairs. Vol. II, Issue 2,
July 2006. At:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.6]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.6)

Abstract: \"While expert risk analyses are based on calculations of
probability and damage, public estimates of risk are more often based on
qualitative factors. It is important to understand how the public, not
just homeland security experts, perceive and react to the threat of
terrorism. Risk perception research in general, and the psychometric
paradigm in particular, offer a basis for empirically examining
attitudes toward potential terrorism. This article discusses the
benefits of such an approach and specific research recommendations.\"

\(5\) MATERIALS RECEIVED:

Homeland Security Affairs. (Free electronic academic journal of the
Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.
Information is accessible at:
[[http://www.hsaj.org]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/))

\(6\) PANDEMIC:

National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO). Local
Health Department Guide to Pandemic Influenza Planning Version
1.0.Washington, DC: NACCHO, July 20, 2006, 60 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://www.naccho.org/topics/infectious/influenza/LHDPanFluGuide.cfm]{.underline}](http://www.naccho.org/topics/infectious/influenza/LHDPanFluGuide.cfm)

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Pandemic
Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan. July 2006, 266 pages. At:

[[http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cd-panflu-plan.shtml]{.underline}](http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cd-panflu-plan.shtml)

Ortiz, Justin R., et al. \"A National Survey of the Infectious Diseases
Society of America Emerging Infections Network Concerning Neuraminidase
Inhibitor Prescription Practices and Pandemic Influenza Preparations.\"
Clinical Infectious Diseases, Vol. 43, pps. 494-497, July 11, 2006. At:
<http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/issues/v43n4/39354/brief/39354.abstract.html?erFrom=8462757476386471372Guest>

Abstract: \"This report summarizes the findings of a national survey of
infectious diseases consultants regarding their use of neuraminidase
inhibitors and the status of their planning for an influenza pandemic.
The respondents indicated that government stockpiles should be
increased, that many have received requests for antiviral medications,
and that additional recommendations regarding the appropriate use of
antiviral medications would be helpful.\"

\(7\) PREPAREDNESS:

Donahue, Amy K. and Robert V. Tuohy. \"Lessons We Don\'t Learn: A Study
of the Lessons of Disasters, Why We Repeat Them, and How We Can Learn
Them.\" Homeland Security Affairs. Vol. II, no. 2, July 2006. Accessed
at: <http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.4>

Abstract: \"Emergency responders intervene before and during disasters
to save lives and property. The uncertainty and infrequency of disasters
make it hard for responders to validate that their response strategies
will be effective, however. As a result, emergency response
organizations use processes for identifying and disseminating lessons in
hopes that they and others will be able to learn from past experience
and improve future responses. But the term \"lessons learned\" may be a
misnomer. Anecdotal evidence suggests mistakes are repeated incident
after incident. It appears that while identifying lessons is relatively
straightforward, true learning is much harder - lessons tend to be
isolated and perishable, rather than generalized and institutionalized.

That we see problems persist is a serious concern; as emergency response
missions expand to include broader homeland security responsibilities,
the ability to capitalize on experience is ever more important. This
article reports the results of a qualitative study of both the lessons
themselves and the efficacy of the processes by which responders hope to
learn them.\"

Ferguson, Andrew. \"Katrina Meant Business as Usual In Washington.\"

Bloomberg News, July 25, 2006. At:
<http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_ferguson&sid=aV5YtsaUdj.U>

Marsico, Ron. \"Homeland Chief Wants To Wall Off Chemical Tankers Along
Pike.\" The Star-Ledger (NJ), July 25, 2006. Accessed at:
<http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1153802025180930.xml&coll=1>

New Orleans Times-Picayune (Editorial). \"It\'ll Never Happen To Me.\"

July 25, 2006. Accessed at:
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1153805373312540.xml&coll=1>

Oberg, Alcestis \"Cooky.\" \"The Real First Responder In A Storm\"

\[Individuals\]. USA Today, July 25, 2006. At:

<http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-07-24-first-responders_x.htm>

Sacramento Bee (CA). \"City Is Its Own Worst Critic in Disaster
Readiness Survey: But Federal Reviewers Give Capital Region Much Higher
Marks.\" July 23, 2006. Accessed
at:<http://www.highbeam.com/library/docfree.asp?DOCID=1Y1:95887018&ctrlInfo=Round20%3AMode20d%3ADocG%3AResult&ao>=

South Florida Sun-Sentinel. \"Lessons Learned\" \[Hurricane
Preparedness\].

July 23, 2006. At:

<http://www.highbeam.com/library/docfree.asp?DOCID=1Y1:95879757&ctrlInfo=Round20%3AMode20d%3ADocG%3AResult&ao>=

\(8\) WAR ON TERRORISM:

Bunn, Matthew and Anthony Wier. Securing the Bomb 2006. Harvard
University, Project on Managing the Atom, Belfer Center for Science and
International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, July 2006,
164 pages. Accessed at:
[[http://nti.org/securingthebomb]{.underline}](http://nti.org/securingthebomb),
or
[[http://www.nti.org/e_research/stb06webfull.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.nti.org/e_research/stb06webfull.pdf),
or:

[[http://cstsp.aaas.org/content.html?contentid=259]{.underline}](http://cstsp.aaas.org/content.html?contentid=259)

Morag, Nadav. \"The National Military Strategic Plan for the War on
Terrorism: An Assessment.\" Homeland Security Affairs. Vol. II, Issue 2,
July 2006. At:
[[http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.7]{.underline}](http://www.hsaj.org/?article=2.2.7)

Abstract: \"This article analyses the National Military Strategic Plan
for the War on Terrorism issued on February 1, 2006 by the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The article claims that the strategic plan is
flawed for three reasons: 1) its goals are unclear and unrealistic, 2)
policy implementation is primarily dependent on non-DOD entities, and 3)
the central goal of countering ideological support for terrorism is
largely unfeasible. The article concludes by suggesting that the
military should not create unrealizable expectations (as this will
create greater insecurity) and should, instead, focus on areas that are
more in keeping with the military\'s traditional role.\"

\(9\) WESTFIELD STATE COLLEGE, WESTFIELD, MA\--GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
HOMELAND SECURITY STUDIES:

Learned today that Westfield State College in Westfield MA is offering a
15 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Studies and
awarding credits that can be applied toward s Master of Science Degree
in Criminal Justice. The Project Assistant has developed a program
description for upload to \"The College List\" on the EM HiEd Project
homepage and is in the process of coordinating the description with
staff at Westfield. Course offerings are:

Homeland Security: Organization and Administration Anti-Terrorism Law
and Criminal Enforcement Terrorism and Intelligence Analysis Terrorism
and Infrastructure Protection Graduate Certificate Capstone Project

For additional information, suggest going to the Westfield website on
this program at:
[[http://www.wswc.ma.edu/ihs]{.underline}](http://www.wswc.ma.edu/ihs),
or contact Janice Carmichael, Assistant Vice President, Educational
Outreach, Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, at:
<jcarmichael@wsc.ma.edu>.

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, N-430

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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