Staying Calm in a Crisis
New emergency management software is enabling rational and informed decisionmaking in situations that are anything but rational.
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The Lessons of Anthrax Autumn
As a panicked government desperately tried to identify the terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, holocaust and to learn whether additional attacks were on the way, the nation was rattled by the unnerving possibility that it also was under bioterror attack. Within weeks of the Sept. 11 attack, letters containing anthrax spores—some highly refined to make them “aerosolized”—began arriving at the offices of news media personnel and US senators.
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An IG’s lot is not a happy one
We sat in a pool of light from an overhead fixture, alone at a table that would have easily accommodated 10 people. It took me a moment to grasp the situation—the tables around the perimeter of the large banquet hall were filled to capacity, and people were standing. But no one would approach our table.\\ Keep Reading
Advancing maritime security
Since last visited (“High Seas Security,” HSToday, September 2004), maritime security policy has moved closer into synch with the real world of multiple stakeholders and complex supply chains.
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The power of partnerships
The US Coast Guard has long understood that a strong partnership among stakeholders is the key to success in meeting its responsibility to ensure the safety, security and integrity of the US maritime transportation system.
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Previewing Round 5 of the Port Security Grant Program
Recently, media reports regarding the Port Security Grant Program have focused on the vulnerabilities of America’s ports, the dearth of resources available to address these vulnerabilities and the inefficient use of the resources that are available.
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The mess at ICE
When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed two years ago, Secretary Tom Ridge was faced with the enormous task of merging 22 different agencies. Within those agencies were 50 different budgeting systems and 30 separate procurement systems.
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SAIC builds on systems integration
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) is working to build on the success it achieved in providing a security package for the Athens Olympics to pursue larger, more complex systems integration work in homeland security.
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Greg Herrema, Thermo Electron
President, Environmental Instruments Division, Thermo Electron
The second wave in homeland securitytechnology has finally arrived—and it will be filling the gaps andneeds that were left by the first wave, according to Greg Herrema.
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New concerns over commerce and privacy hit US-VISIT
As the US-VISIT program rolled out to the first set of US land ports over the course of this past autumn, both businesses and casual travelers raised fresh concerns about the program’s impact on their movements and privacy.
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Still Struggling with the Dots
Congress has passed intelligence reform, but no one should believe it solves all of America’s counterterrorism problems.
“The necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent and need not be further argued”— George Washington
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Checking on Chertoff
The record of President Bush’s homeland security nominee is more complex than many think.
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Seeking Detection Perfection
New advances in explosives detection and X-rays are advancing the safety of the flying public.
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2005 Guide to Grants: The State of Homeland Security Grant Funding
Late on Thursday, Dec. 2, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2005 application materials for the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). Totaling 150 pages, the application materials are mandatory reading for state officials responsible for applying for federal grants.
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2005 Guide to Grants: The Grants Life Cycle
Like all things dynamic, grants have a beginning and an inevitable end, even if the projects they support must live beyond the funding's expiration. Understanding the grants lifecycle is critical to securing grant funding and to successful administrative oversight of the grant. Keep Reading
2005 Guide to Grants: A Grants Glossary
Abstract: A brief summary of the proposed project, frequently limited to one page. Abstracts should give a brief description of the applicant, clearly state the goal orpurpose to be supported by the grant and provide a statement of need. Also known as a Project Summary or Executive Summary. Audit: A formal review of a grantee’s use… Keep Reading
2005 Guide to Grants: Q&A with C. Suzanne Mencer
Retiring Director, Office of Domestic Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security It was a long way from the public schoolswhere she taught Spanish to the directorship of the Department ofHomeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) but C.Suzanne Mencer made the journey by way of 20 years as a special agentof the FBI and executive director… Keep Reading
2005 Guide to Grants: DHS Inspector General: Grants management needs improvement
In December the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) headed by Clark Kent Ervin issued a comprehensive, year-end assessment of the Department titled Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security(available in its entirety at www.gao.gov/new.items/ d03260.pdf) thatsuggested changes in DHS management and procedures. Included in thatreport was a section on grants management, quoted here.
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Washington, D.C.: Capital Coordination
The National Capital Region has come a long waysince Sept. 11, 2001—but officials acknowledge that it still has a longway to go.
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Chertoff’s Challenges
When Michael Chertoff takes the helm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as we fully expect him to do, he will face vast challenges—as he and everyone else very well knows.
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