**October 24-31, 2005 FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Project
Activity Report**

\(1\) AVIAN FLU PANDEMIC RELATED DOCUMENTS:

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has developed an Influenza Pandemic
Information Kit which can be accessed at:

<http://www.med.govt.nz/irdev/econ_dev/pandemic-planning/infrastructure/index.html#planguide>

\(2\) DISASTERS AS A GROWTH BUSINESS AND RELATED ARTICLES:

Boxall, Bettina. \"Gulf Coast Rebuilding Creates Its Own Storm -
Scientists Say That In An Era Of Rising Sea Levels and Record Hurricane
Activity, It\'s Unwise To Allow Risky Development Along The Coast.\" Los
Angeles Times, October 23, 2005. Accessed at:

<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gulfcoast23oct23,1,1168602,print.story?coll=la-headlines-nation>

\[BWB Note: Redevelopment might be a bit smarter, but I will predict not
much. Developers bear very little risk \-- only during short time-span
that development takes place. After that, it's somebody else\'s risk.
Local governments want the tax revenue that development brings, while
crossing fingers that the next disaster will be on somebody else\'s
watch.\]

Spotts, Peter N. \"The Ties Between Disaster Aid and Politics.\"
Christian Science Monitor, October 26, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/2005/1026/p02s01-uspo.htm]{.underline}](http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/2005/1026/p02s01-uspo.htm)

\[BWB Note: Thanks to Claire Rubin for bringing this to my attention.\]

Woodward, Curt. \"Disaster Agencies Say They Need Cash - Authorities
Cite State Reliance on Federal Money.\" Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
October 28, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/246285_disaster28.html]{.underline}](http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/246285_disaster28.html)

\[Excerpt: \"An eruption of Mount Rainier. A major earthquake on the
Seattle fault. A bird flu pandemic that kills thousands each week. All
three scenarios could quickly overwhelm local agencies, making clear
that emergency efforts need a steadier stream of public money, officials
said Thursday\....Washington\'s emergency agencies have sought a stable
source of state money for years, but still rely on federal money for
most of their responsibilities, officials said.\"\]

\[BWB comment: This is a major problem in most states \-- in that FEMA,
and now DHS, through the EMPG (Emergency Management Preparedness Grants)
has funded up to 50% of State and local emergency management personnel
and administrative expenses, State legislatures have been reluctant to
invest significant State dollars in emergency management over and above
that needed to get Federal dollars. Florida arguably has the best
emergency management program in the country for the primary reason that
following Hurricane Andrew the state passed funding mechanisms (e. g.
surcharges) that ear-marks money to State Emergency Management and
through them to local offices of emergency management which allows them
to hire professional full-time emergency managers and staff, to build
and equip EOC\'s, develop plans and programs, train and exercise and
develop operational capabilities which make the plans meaningful. States
which do not eventually do the same will always be under-prepared.\]

\(3\) ELMIRA COLLEGE, ELMIRA, NY \-- INVESTIGATING EMERGENCY/DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS CONCENTRATION, MANAGEMENT MASTERS:

October 25, 2005 \-- Communicated with Dr. Glenn Fried, Dean of
Continuing Education at Elmira \-- following up on a rumor that he is
investigating the development of an emergency management program.
Confirmed that a proposal is being drafted to develop an
Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Concentration and Certificate within the
Management Masters Program. Dean Fried is seeking to have the proposal
completed and acted upon in about 2-3 months.

Is hopeful that proposal will be approved and implementable by Fall
Semester 2006. For additional information, Dean Fried can be reached at:

gried@elmira.edu.

\(4\) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY \"TERRORISM\" FOCUS
FRICTION:

Harris, Shane. \"Federal Emphasis on Terrorist Threat Frustrates Local
Disaster Response Officials.\" National Journal, October 20, 2005.
Accessed

at:

[[http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32601&printerfriendlyVers=1&]{.underline}](http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32601&printerfriendlyVers=1&)

\(5\) INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGERS PRESS RELEASE ON
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVED EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

October 25, 2005 \-- The IAEM issues Press Release, noted above.
Headings within the release are:

\-- Restore FEMA to Independent Agency Status or Greatly Strengthen It

\-- Expertise in the Field Necessary for FEMA Leaders

\-- Preparedness function Should Not Be Moved Outside of FEMA in
Reorganization

\-- IAEM Calls for Establishment of Permanent FEMA Work Group

The release can be accessed at:

[[http://www.iaem.com/documents/RecommendsforImprovedEmResponse10-25-20051.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.iaem.com/documents/RecommendsforImprovedEmResponse10-25-20051.pdf)

\(6\) KATRINA/RITA/WILMA-RELATED ARTICLES, HEARINGS, PAPERS, RELEASES:

Anderson, Curt. \"Fla.\'s Aggressive Hurricane Plan Faltered.\" Seattle
Post-Intelligencer, October 27, 2005. Accessed at:

<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/printer2/index.asp?ploc=t&refer=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Wilma_Preparation_Woes.html>

Bush, Jeb. \"Federalism and Disaster Response: Examining the Roles and
Responsibilities of Local, State, and Federal Agencies \-- Testimony of
Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida Before the House Committee on
Homeland Security.\" Washington, DC: U.S. House of Representatives,
October 19, 2005, 11 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://homeland.house.gov/files/TestimonyBush.pdf]{.underline}](http://homeland.house.gov/files/TestimonyBush.pdf)

\[BWB Note: Highly recommend this.\]

Eile, Evan. \"Memos Blame La. Governor For Slow Body Removal
Post-Katrina.\"

USA Today, October 27, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-10-27-blanco-katrina_x.htm]{.underline}](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-10-27-blanco-katrina_x.htm)

FEMA. \"FEMA, Voluntary Agencies Announce Case Management Program To
Assist Disaster Survivors With Long-Term Recovery\" (FEMA Announcement
HQ-05-356).

Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency, October 26, 2005.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=20080]{.underline}](http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=20080)

House Select Committee on Hurricane Katrina Preparation and Response.
\"DHS

Secretary Chertoff Testimony,\" October 19, 2005. \[The Suburban
Emergency Management Project has compiled a series of transcripts based
on C-SPAN coverage of the hearings \-- accessed at:

[[http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_285.html]{.underline}](http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_285.html);

[[http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_287.html]{.underline}](http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_287.html);

[[http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_288.html]{.underline}](http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_288.html);

[[http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_289.html]{.underline}](http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_289.html).
The SEMP has also transcribed the testimony of FEMA\'s Marty Bahamonde
before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
on October 20, 2005, entitled: \"Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans: A
Flooded City, a Chaotic Response\" \-- accessible

at:
[[http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_286.html]{.underline}](http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_286.html)

Hsu, Spencer S. \"Bush Adviser Acknowledges Lack of Preparation for
Katrina.\" Washington Post, October 22, 2005. Accessed at:

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/21/AR2005102101862_pf.html>

Kettl, Donald F. The Worst Is Yet to Come - Lessons from September 11
and Hurricane Katrina. Philadelphia: Fels Institute of Government,
University of Pennsylvania, September 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/fels/research_service.htm]{.underline}](http://www.sas.upenn.edu/fels/research_service.htm)

Lanham, Kipp. \"Democratic Leaders Call For FEMA Back in Cabinet.\" The
Hill, October 27, 2005. Accessed at:

<http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102705/fema.html>

Lipton, Eric. \"National Security Chief Vows He Is Fixing What
Hurricanes Showed Was Broken.\" New York Times, October 25, 2005.
Accessed at:

<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/25/politics/25chertoff.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1130249288-3USw+exTz+P32uwv29RDlA&pagewanted=print>

MacLaggan, Corrie. \"Task Force Hears Testimony On Rita\'s Evacuation -
State Has To Do A Better Job Next Time, Locals Say.\" Austin
American-Statesman, October 27, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.statesman.com/search/content/metro/stories/10/27hurricane.html]{.underline}](http://www.statesman.com/search/content/metro/stories/10/27hurricane.html)

News-Press.com (FL, Editorial). \"Relief Falls To State - Refreshingly,
Jeb Bush Understands and Accepts That, But Individuals Who Weren\'t
Prepared Are At Fault Too.\" October 28, 2005. Accessed at:

<http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051028/OPINION/510280384/1015&template=printart>

O\'Toole, James. \"U.S. Help For Disaster Victims Goes From Nothing To
Billions.\" Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 2, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pp/05275/581271.stm]{.underline}](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pp/05275/581271.stm)

Strohm, Chris. \"Homeland Security Chief Plans To Retool FEMA.\"

GOVEXEC.com, Oct. 21, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32612&dcn=todaysnews]{.underline}](http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32612&dcn=todaysnews)

Strohm, Chris. \"Defense Official Cites Procedural Flaws in Katrina
Response.\" GOVEXEC.com, October 27, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32676&dcn=todaysnews]{.underline}](http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32676&dcn=todaysnews)

United States Conference of Mayors. 2005 National Action Plan on Safety
and Security in American Cities (Working Paper). October 24, 2005.
Accessed at:

<http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/news/press_releases/documents/HomelandSecurityPlan2005.pdf>

Wodele, Greta. \"Mayor\'s Group Urges Bigger Military Role In Emergency
Response.\" National Journal, October 24, 2005. Accessed at:

[[http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1005/102405tdpm1.htm]{.underline}](http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1005/102405tdpm1.htm)

\(7\) ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE INSTITUTE:

October 25, 2005 \-- Communicated with Dr. Karen Hunter-Anderson, Senior
Director, Student & Instructional Development, Illinois Community
College Board, Springfield, IL, concerning my availability to provide an
approximately 45-minute presentation on FEMA\'s Emergency Management
Higher Education Project at an \"Illinois Community College System
Homeland Security and Emergency Response Institute, in Springfield,
February 21-22, 2005. Put it on my calendar and plan on attending. For
additional information, Dr.

Hunter-Anderson can be reached at: <kanderson@iccb.state.il.us>

\(8\) KEENE STATE COLLEGE, NH \-- SAFETY AND ENGINEERING EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM:

October 24, 2005 \-- The Project Assistant notes that she has learned
that Keene State College in Keene, NH, began their proposed \"Safety and
Engineering Emergency Management Certificate Program\" this semester. A
description of this new program has been drafted and posted to the
Project website \-- The College List \-- Stand-Alone Emergency
Management Programs section.

Significantly, this is the first emergency management collegiate program
in New Hampshire \-- making a total of 44 States and the District of
Columbia with emergency management collegiate programs. Emergency
management collegiate programs are being investigated in Kentucky, South
Carolina, and South Dakota; there is an emergency management-related
program in Alaska; and only Maine and Montana have no emergency
management collegiate program, nor an investigation into the development
of one that we are aware of.

\(9\) TERRORISM VS. DISASTER: KATRINA EXPOSES DEPTH OF RESPONDERS\'

DISSATISFACTION:

This is the title of an article in the September 6, 2005 issue of
\"Emergency Preparedness News\" (Vol. 29, No. 17), which I just received
\-- could just have easily have been entitled \"How Emergency Management
Has Been Terrorized.\" The starting point for a \"debate\" between Mark
Guilarducci (Vice President of James Lee Witt Associates) and Sue Mencer
(Former Director of Office of Domestic Preparedness), was the August 29,
2005 \"Washington Post\" piece by King County, WA Emergency Manager,
Eric Holderman, who argued that the U.S. emergency management system and
its all-hazards approach has been \"decimated by the administration\'s
preoccupation with terrorism.\" Guilarducci agrees: \"hazard mitigation
and preparedness have been diminished since being absorbed into DHS.\"
On the move of just about the last remaining vestiges of preparedness
from FEMA to the new DHS Preparedness Directorate, the EPN piece notes
that \"Some responders\...say there is now no single contact for federal
preparedness and response \-- \'We could pick up the telephone and talk
to our FEMA counterpart in the regional office,\' said Roger Serra,
emergency management director for Snohomish County, Wash. \'Now it\'s
more of a problem trying to figure out who we would be dealing with.
Everything comes from DHS in Washington.\' Those at headquarters \'could
learn a lot\' from regional staff, Serra told EPN.

\'Everybody at DHS should have a class from FEMA in dealing with states
and locals. DHS doesn\'t even have a base in the region where we can
talk to people eye-to-eye.\' Serra added that while DHS officially takes
an all hazards approach, grant requirements skew heavily towards
terrorism. \'The edicts in the funding and the directives that are
coming down are pointed to a single focus,\' agreed Ghilarducci. \'The
amount of money put forth for natural disaster mitigation planning has
been significantly reduced as opposed to weapons of mass destruction
mitigation\'.\"

\(10\) WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SIOUX CITY \-- DEVELOPING
EMERGENCY/DISASTER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM:

October 24, 2005 \-- Communicated with Steve Ebsen, Chair, Public
Services Department at Western Iowa, who notes that WITCC is developing
an Emergency and Disaster Management Program, which is scheduled be
begin Fall Semester 2006. Hope to be able to get a description drafted
for the College List soon. In the meantime, for information, Steve Ebsen
can be reached at:

ebsenS@witcc.edu.

\(11\) YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, CANADA \-- PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

October 24, 2005 \-- Recently discovered that York University has begun
a Professional Certificate in Emergency Management and that the
point-of-contact is Professor David Etkin. Seeking information about
this program over and above that on the school\'s website \-- for
development of description to go into the International Emergency
Management section of The College List on the Project homepage. The
Project Assistant was able to determine that the program began in 2005
with 20 students and has in mind the development of undergraduate and
graduate degree programs.

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)