http://www.hlswatch.com/2006/05/18/the-root-causes-of-homeland-security-dysfunction/ News and analysis of critical issues in homeland security today. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:26:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://www.hlswatch.com/2006/05/18/the-root-causes-of-homeland-security-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-1938 bellavita Fri, 19 May 2006 23:17:27 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/?p=720#comment-1938 A detailed description of what such a federal reserve-like system might look like is contained in Steve Flynn's book, America the Vulnerable A detailed description of what such a federal reserve-like system might look like is contained in Steve Flynn’s book, America the Vulnerable

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2006/05/18/the-root-causes-of-homeland-security-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-1851 William R. Cumming Thu, 18 May 2006 23:56:54 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/?p=720#comment-1851 There is merit in both comments and suggestions. It is important to note however that instead of a topdown system we have a bottom up system. Instead of who is in charge, find out who does what best or has the best legal authority and could succeed. Once that is done then the gaps could be filled in novel ways. Instead of reorganizing for each major domestic response and recovery operation, why not figure out what is needed and just organize that way. Despite the Heritage Foundations report super-FEMA regions are not needed. The response cell of the feds should be collocated at the state EOC's with talent and level of skill matched to risks. Then over a career the most competent feds could go to states that are bigger or have more activity. Emergency Management grew out of the fact that while some elected leaders have the background, time or will to lead in a crisis it helps to have someone who can help find all the helpers and helpful systems, Just as it is apparent neither Mike Brown or Secretary Chertoff was familar with the NRP (it only became effective in April and even now is under active revision) they could only flounder when the time came to lead. We live in a complex world and sometimes it takes doggedness, training, motiviation, energy and just plain "grip" as the British say to get it done. No one in DHS seems to have "grip'! Maybe the Coasties but no one else. There is merit in both comments and suggestions. It is important to note however that instead of a topdown system we have a bottom up system. Instead of who is in charge, find out who does what best or has the best legal authority and could succeed. Once that is done then the gaps could be filled in novel ways. Instead of reorganizing for each major domestic response and recovery operation, why not figure out what is needed and just organize that way. Despite the Heritage Foundations report super-FEMA regions are not needed. The response cell of the feds should be collocated at the state EOC’s with talent and level of skill matched to risks. Then over a career the most competent feds could go to states that are bigger or have more activity. Emergency Management grew out of the fact that while some elected leaders have the background, time or will to lead in a crisis it helps to have someone who can help find all the helpers and helpful systems, Just as it is apparent neither Mike Brown or Secretary Chertoff was familar with the NRP (it only became effective in April and even now is under active revision) they could only flounder when the time came to lead. We live in a complex world and sometimes it takes doggedness, training, motiviation, energy and just plain “grip” as the British say to get it done. No one in DHS seems to have “grip’! Maybe the Coasties but no one else.

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