Homeland Security Watch

Comment by Brian Duffy

March 9, 2006 @ 11:26 am

I agree with your statement and I would add that there has to be an avenue for DoD to rotate into positions as well, particularly the National Guard. Reason being that the National Guard will be the future of Consequence Management in a WMD/E. I know FEMA is slotted for this, but they lack the command and control ability the National Guard brings to the table.

This needs to happen sooner than later because as I quietly observe, there are too many young kids or inexperienced careerist running around in DHS. While careerism happens in DoD, DoD would never put a “high school to grad school” pimpled face kid in the level of responsibility that DHS does. As for the careerist, having a career plan will get rid of the deadwood that is floating around DHS presently.

Comment by William R. Cumming

March 9, 2006 @ 11:26 am

I am unsure of this statistic but I understand that almost 700 positions exist in DHS that are non-career SES, PAS, and schedule C. If this number is anywhere near accurate no wonder DHS is non-functioning. An interesting point to remember is that typically political appointees have no formal position descriptions and duties are often drastically changed after employment starting dates.

Pingback by Homeland Security Watch » Blog Archive » Final homeland security acquisition regulations published

May 2, 2006 @ 8:22 am

[...] I’ve written before that this high reliance on political postings is going to paralyze DHS the next time that there is a transition in political leadership, in a way that is dangerous to the nation. This is something that Congress needs to address soon. Here’s my solution. [...]

Comment by Juan Long

March 9, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

Well, this is going to be a problem, and most of you that have knowledge of what a WMD can do, need not read this, but those of you who have no idea, well – it can definetly lay a path of destruction to the environment – meaning human-life, vegetation, insects, animals, and Water. This is big time cross contamination. Either if it is a Nuclear Weapon, Bio-Weapon or a CHEM Weapon all will depend on the deployment method.
To counter-terrorize this issue, is allot of work, manpower, early warning devices and (NBC or CBRN)personnel in place. Since everyone has been trying to re-invent the wheel of (NBC) Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical concepts, instead of using what the Armed Forces have been using for centeries, those who are powerful in their scientific world-try to change it to a civilian mock – and want to change the meanings.
I have been there and done that.

There are alot of people out there that are confused and have no idea what to do or what is going on. I try to help them and try to guide them in the right direction, and they always say, well the government has not put anything out for us to follow. It is a shame how things are going. Nobody wants to make a decision. Everybody thinks their heads will be chopped off if they say something. To bad I say.

DHS, has alot of issue, reporting processes, ground zero training, computerized reports, communications, public guidelines, NBC – DownWind message training, and Medical Decontamination, to include DECON/MEDIVAC Operations and alot more – that they have yet to indentify to cover before they are ready to deploy any kind of teams, reactionary force or Medical Reactionary Team to Ground Zero contaminated Sites of anykind.
Let me give a prime example, do all hospitals, Law Enforcement agencies have their MOPP Suites (or Civilian Life – PPE)and their protective mask. Are their Equipment the same in all areas, except those who must test for contamination and finally – do their protective mask provide a device to drink water while under PPE alert level, Most of – do not. It is the Mellinium Protective Mask that should be used – and it can be fitted for those that have to use their weapons to fire – especially military rifles.
Well, I believe this is enough for now. Hope all goes well.

KINGRAT (Retired U.S. Army)