Ready.gov tips are good as far as they go, but might well have been written a decade ago. They ignore 21st-century communications devices and applications the public has shown they WILL use in a disaster (including the Virginia Tech and Minneapolis ones) whether or not you give your blessing. It's time to start capitalizing on this potential, to make the public (and not just the small number who join Citizens Councils) full partners in preparation and response.
September 20, 2007 8:17 PM
dvl said...
Please, go to www.projectwhitehorse.com. Many of the burning issues which affect national security, and which are, regrettably, by-passed by DHS in its deliberations of means and measures to enhance the level of national security, are considered at a significant depth by this Californian think-tank whose members include a number of the most prominent representatives of the US military and 1st Responder establishments. Hence, it would be worthwhile for the relevant elements of DHS to establish a closer, collaborative relationship with Project White Horse (PWH) leadership. Many solutions proposed by the participants of PWH are not only innovative, forward-looking, and bypassing the current limitations of work done within and by federal agencies, but also represent operational concepts in that are in a pre-emeinent need of rapid practical field testing and implementation. Several issues Secretary Chertoff mentions in his letter can hardly be addressed by a single month of "disatsrer PR" that hardly even reaches the iPod overloaded brain of an average citizen who, frankly, is more concerned with sky-high gasoline prices than the potential of a bioterrorist attack or an earthquake. On the other hand, the ideas and concepts espoused by PWH (several of which have been published in major national and international journals devoted to disaster management) may be instrumental in reducing casualties and physical damage caused by a catastrophic event that, inevitably, and unfortunately, will happen.
September 21, 2007 2:10 AM
Anonymous said...
First, as both a US citizen and a DHS employee, I commend you on taking the courage to begin this Leadership Journal. This form of open communication fosters a spirit of collaboration and a source of inspiration for those who work to support our vital mission.
In the spirit of volunteer service, I would recommend that you encourage DHS employees to volunteer their time and talents to supporting their communities. Citizens and employees look to both the President and you to lead the effort to help communities that are affected by natural or man-made disasters. Announcing and supporting volunteer efforts by DHS employees, working closely with volunteer organizations, will help to repair the damaged reputation of DHS, strengthen communities, and improve the morale of DHS employees.
September 21, 2007 10:59 AM
Allen said...
Mr. Chertoff,
I agree with you. History shows natural and man made disasters will happen. The list of disasters growing longer does not bother me as much as the in-ability to mitigate them. "Those who prepare suffer less than those who do not" is as old as Aesop's fables yet so few people prepare and train, practice.
In two weeks, National Fire protection week starts (Source:http://www.nfpa.org/). From October 7 to 13th kids will learn and practice their first emergency training. It may be the most emergency training they will ever get. This program works. Why? I am not sure but would love to have more of it for other disasters.
Why do the training? "The only thing worse than training everyone and having some of them leave is not training any of them and having them all stay" - Demming. U.S. citizens are not better off ignorant. Fast response is good. Massive trained response may be needed (Oklahoma bombing, Katrina, 9/11, the Civil Defense of 1940's).
Sir, many folks are worried about H5N1 virus the CDC, HHS and WHO monitor. Like AIDS, this is another spreading virus we have no defense against. It is not problem now but "Those who prepare suffer less than those who do not" and as John F. Kennedy said "The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining, do not wait for it to rain."
Regards, Allen "Everything I know never changed my mind as much as the one thing I did not" - Kobie from the fluwiki blog
September 24, 2007 2:31 PM
Allen said...
Popular Mechanics magazine lists 25 skills every man should have.
Talking with kids, able to cook and do laundry or being a good husband is not on the list but then I'm probably wrong. There is a lot of scout stuff here.
Folks who can do these thisgs will be better off in my opinion.
Note: the list does not define a man, nor a woman, nor roles. It is only an article in a magazine. In the 1950's build a bomb shelter or stalking prey where skills. Now it is more computer based.
Youre list will be different but there are public groups to build on.
The List: How to... 1. Patch a radiator hose 2. Protect your computer 3. Rescue a boater who has capsized 4. Frame a wall 5. Retouch digital photos 6. Back up a trailer 7. Build a campfire 8. Fix a dead outlet 9. Navigate with a map and compass 10. Use a torque wrench 11. Sharpen a knife 12. Perform CPR 13. Fillet a fish 14. Maneuver a car out of a skid 15. Get a car unstuck 16. Back up data 17. Paint a room 18. Mix concrete 19. Clean a bolt-action rifle 20. Change oil and filter 21. Hook up an HDTV 22. Bleed brakes 23. Paddle a canoe 24. Fix a bike flat 25. Extend your wireless network
September 26, 2007 9:43 AM
William R. Cumming said...
Ms. Amanda Dory on detail to CSIS led a study in 2002-2003 entitled "American Civil Security" doing an analysis of why the leftover residue of resentment to the efforts of the former civil defense effort from 1950-1994 should not stop efforts to involve citizens in HS. Interestingly few if any formal studies since then on involvement of citizens in preparedness. Nonetheless crucial that each citizen, resident in US, or family do what they can to make the country as a whole more resilient. FEMA at one time had a family protection program. You might want to review the effort of that program and its results and consider upgrading it from what became a federal program administered by essentially one employee although a very capable one with a PhD. As with many FEMA programs, functions, or activities, a single person is the one responsible for what should be an important effort. Perhaps, since the issue impacts more than FEMA that program should be reviewed for its Department-wide potential. This is not a paid advertisement. I also suggest you contact Ms. Dory, last at DOD, and get her to brief your senior staff on her report and findings and distribute her report widely. Your Assistant Secretary for Private Outreach or whatever, Mr. Al Fontinez (sic) was involved indirectly in that study.
September 26, 2007 9:56 AM
Allen said...
Next month is not only November but Nataional Native American Month.
Native Americans seemed prepared to live with the land, fight off others and survive natures wrath. While not everthing is forgotten very little is practiced.
Both Andrew and Katrina showed many skills have faded. 9-11 was so shocking at first is already fading like Katrina.
I hope the lessons learned, feelings felt and vision do not fade.
Regards, Allen
October 1, 2007 12:24 PM
[Photo]As part of my job, I am frequently reminded of the dangers America faces from disasters, both natural and man-made. From hurricanes to terrorist attacks, they can strike suddenly and without warning, leaving behind a devastating trail of lost lives and property.
Astonishingly (to me), according to a recently released Harvard study, 31 percent of people in high-risk coastal areas would refuse an evacuation order in the event of a major hurricane. Even as Hurricane Dean approached, one-fourth of potentially at-risk Texans surveyed said they would not evacuate, either.
Over the past year, people across America have lost their lives and property due to damage caused by floods, tornadoes and wildfires. Today many Americans remain in a state of denial when it comes to disaster preparedness. Americans must be prepared for all types of disasters including the threat from terrorists, who can attack without warning and cause catastrophic damage and loss of life.
To help America handle disasters better, our Department is striving to promote a new culture of preparedness.
One way we’re doing this is through our annual National Preparedness Month, which we promote every September. Throughout this month, with the help of our Ready campaign, we have been encouraging everyone to develop their own individual and family preparedness plan, including an emergency supply kit, a family emergency plan, and emergency information. This is common sense which we owe our families.
But is it enough to encourage people to help themselves and their families in the event of an emergency or disaster? Shouldn’t we also want them to help their neighborhoods and communities? That’s why, throughout this month, we’ll also be highlighting our work with Citizen Corps, a nationwide movement of volunteers who are donating their time in precisely that way. (See my op-ed for further discussion.)
Through a network of state and local councils, Citizen Corps programs give volunteers a chance to do such things as assist law enforcement, acquire terrorism awareness education and basic emergency response skills, provide medical and public health expertise, and support fire and rescue departments.
Clearly, judging from that list, those who wish to join Citizen Corps will have a good menu of opportunities to help. They will also be satisfied in knowing that they are building community pride and patriotism, acquiring skills to help them take better care of themselves, their families, and their neighbors in a crisis, and reducing the burden on fire fighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, and others who risk their lives and safety for all of us each day.
If you want to learn more about how you can help yourself, your family, and your community to be better prepared, feel free to contact Ready and Citizen Corps.
7 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formReady.gov tips are good as far as they go, but might well have been written a decade ago. They ignore 21st-century communications devices and applications the public has shown they WILL use in a disaster (including the Virginia Tech and Minneapolis ones) whether or not you give your blessing. It's time to start capitalizing on this potential, to make the public (and not just the small number who join
Citizens Councils) full partners in preparation and response.
September 20, 2007 8:17 PM
Please, go to www.projectwhitehorse.com. Many of the burning issues which affect national security, and which are, regrettably, by-passed by DHS in its deliberations of means and measures to enhance the level of national security, are considered at a significant depth by this Californian think-tank whose members include a number of the most prominent representatives of the US military and 1st Responder establishments. Hence, it would be worthwhile for the relevant elements of DHS to establish a closer, collaborative relationship with Project White Horse (PWH) leadership. Many solutions proposed by the participants of PWH are not only innovative, forward-looking, and bypassing the current limitations of work done within and by federal agencies, but also represent operational concepts in that are in a pre-emeinent need of rapid practical field testing and implementation.
Several issues Secretary Chertoff mentions in his letter can hardly be addressed by a single month of "disatsrer PR" that hardly even reaches the iPod overloaded brain of an average citizen who, frankly, is more concerned with sky-high gasoline prices than the potential of a bioterrorist attack or an earthquake. On the other hand, the ideas and concepts espoused by PWH (several of which have been published in major national and international journals devoted to disaster management) may be instrumental in reducing casualties and physical damage caused by a catastrophic event that, inevitably, and unfortunately, will happen.
September 21, 2007 2:10 AM
First, as both a US citizen and a DHS employee, I commend you on taking the courage to begin this Leadership Journal. This form of open communication fosters a spirit of collaboration and a source of inspiration for those who work to support our vital mission.
In the spirit of volunteer service, I would recommend that you encourage DHS employees to volunteer their time and talents to supporting their communities. Citizens and employees look to both the President and you to lead the effort to help communities that are affected by natural or man-made disasters. Announcing and supporting volunteer efforts by DHS employees, working closely with volunteer organizations, will help to repair the damaged reputation of DHS, strengthen communities, and improve the morale of DHS employees.
September 21, 2007 10:59 AM
Mr. Chertoff,
I agree with you. History shows natural and man made disasters will happen. The list of disasters growing longer does not bother me as much as the in-ability to mitigate them. "Those who prepare suffer less than those who do not" is as old as Aesop's fables yet so few people prepare and train, practice.
In two weeks, National Fire protection week starts (Source:http://www.nfpa.org/). From October 7 to 13th kids will learn and practice their first emergency training. It may be the most emergency training they will ever get. This program works. Why? I am not sure but would love to have more of it for other disasters.
Why do the training? "The only thing worse than training everyone and having some of them leave is not training any of them and having them all stay" - Demming. U.S. citizens are not better off ignorant. Fast response is good. Massive trained response may be needed (Oklahoma bombing, Katrina, 9/11, the Civil Defense of 1940's).
Sir, many folks are worried about H5N1 virus the CDC, HHS and WHO monitor. Like AIDS, this is another spreading virus we have no defense against. It is not problem now but "Those who prepare suffer less than those who do not" and as John F. Kennedy said "The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining, do not wait for it to rain."
Regards,
Allen
"Everything I know never changed my mind as much as the one thing I did not" - Kobie from the fluwiki blog
September 24, 2007 2:31 PM
Popular Mechanics magazine lists 25 skills every man should have.
Talking with kids, able to cook and do laundry or being a good husband is not on the list but then I'm probably wrong. There is a lot of scout stuff here.
Folks who can do these thisgs will be better off in my opinion.
Note: the list does not define a man, nor a woman, nor roles. It is only an article in a magazine. In the 1950's build a bomb shelter or stalking prey where skills. Now it is more computer based.
Youre list will be different but there are public groups to build on.
Source:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4221635.html#comments
The List: How to...
1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network
September 26, 2007 9:43 AM
Ms. Amanda Dory on detail to CSIS led a study in 2002-2003 entitled "American Civil Security" doing an analysis of why the leftover residue of resentment to the efforts of the former civil defense effort from 1950-1994 should not stop efforts to involve citizens in HS. Interestingly few if any formal studies since then on involvement of citizens in preparedness. Nonetheless crucial that each citizen, resident in US, or family do what they can to make the country as a whole more resilient. FEMA at one time had a family protection program. You might want to review the effort of that program and its results and consider upgrading it from what became a federal program administered by essentially one employee although a very capable one with a PhD. As with many FEMA programs, functions, or activities, a single person is the one responsible for what should be an important effort. Perhaps, since the issue impacts more than FEMA that program should be reviewed for its Department-wide potential. This is not a paid advertisement. I also suggest you contact Ms. Dory, last at DOD, and get her to brief your senior staff on her report and findings and distribute her report widely. Your Assistant Secretary for Private Outreach or whatever, Mr. Al Fontinez (sic) was involved indirectly in that study.
September 26, 2007 9:56 AM
Next month is not only November but Nataional Native American Month.
Native Americans seemed prepared to live with the land, fight off others and survive natures wrath. While not everthing is forgotten very little is practiced.
Both Andrew and Katrina showed many skills have faded. 9-11 was so shocking at first is already fading like Katrina.
I hope the lessons learned, feelings felt and vision do not fade.
Regards,
Allen
October 1, 2007 12:24 PM