jon_nakapalau

It is time for FEMA to formulate both intrinsic/extrinsic and evacuee-related plans to address situations (like the current ebola crisis).

This should include public/private resources that address not only the situation but also widespread public reaction to the event.

Such an event may serve the propaganda purposes of terrorist groups that may seek to exploit the situation in furtherance of their agenda.

I think that building a TEBM for a given location should take into account 3 components: 1). Exposure Matrix (EM): what specific exposures have happened in the past could serve as baseline model? What exercises/drills could be developed to address and train groups for future events? 2). Infrastructure Matrix (IM): how will a specific threat impact the ability of infrastructure to support recovery operations? What specific ...more »

Could movie theaters be used as emergency information centers?

Could emergency information be played on screens as different relief groups mustered and received their information?

Could FEMA have a message that would be played to assure the population that help was on the way?

This recent earthquake should be used to reinforce why buildings need to be brought up to code. Seems as if there is no way to track this in California...is it time for cities to submit information to a central database in Sacramento?

I think it would be a good idea to enlist the help of local and state emergency response organizations to help with our current problems on the border with Mexico.

It would provide much needed help and provide valuable training that could be used to improve disaster management programs.

Kurtosis risk occurs when a statistical model and observation of that model focus on ‘bookend’ extremes and fail to take into account what the bookends are used for (to hold the books in place). It seems to me that any disaster risk reduction plan should look at 4 distinct considerations: (D)esign: Are the plans in design with the probability of the event? (planning for snow storms in Death Valley). (E)valuation: Are ...more »

Idea for the name of this group:

(T)echnological

(A)daptive &

(C)ooperative

(O)utreach

MHN would seem to me to be a good framework to use when trying to plan mission and program delivery. A pamphlet that addressed the first two areas could be helpful in planning survivor centric plans: 1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth and sleep. 2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, limits and stability. The next three needs could be part of the recovery ...more »

One way that FEMA could become an expeditionary organization (EO) would be to partner with local first responders during the mitigation process. Cognitive mapping (CM) of a given area is often as important as mapping out a physical location. A CM program could incorporate the following ideas: Encourage military police (MP) from local bases to sign up for ride alongs with the local police department. This will help ...more »

Has FEMA ever considered partnering with fast food restaurants (FFR) to provide assistance during a natural disaster? Over the course of the first few hours this may be a way to feed families. A FFR could be contracted to provide emergency services. If the FFR was located in an area that did not have damaged infrastructure food and drinks could be provided until rescue efforts were centralized. The FFR would likely ...more »

A uniform program that educates faculty, staff, and students to recognizing signs of mental illness and potential threats seems to me to be something that could help in a proactive way. Such a Behavioral Observation Program (BOP) need not mandate training as much as bring Behavior Based Safety (BBS) best practice models to serve as templates that can be developed with institutional flexibility.

Am I wrong in assuming that the best way to determine what chemicals are on a given site would be by linking the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) to a template that could be tracked through MSDS sheets?

Seems to me that a simple addendum that cross referenced a CFATS list would help to prevent a repeat of the ammonium nitrate fertilizer explosion at the West Fertilizer Company plant in Texas earlier this year.

Several of the IS-900 courses deal with physical security. A certification route that focused on security issues would help to incorporate the material of the courses into security policy for the private sector. I think it would be helpful to both FEMA and private sector partners.