http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/ News and analysis of critical issues in homeland security today. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:52:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-82535 Homeland Security Watch » Europe Updates Anti-Terrorism Strategy Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:40:11 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-82535 [...] portfolio for the EC, rolled out the new CT “package” last week as we continue to review the Homeland Security strategy recently released on this side of the Pond. There are some similarities, but differences are [...] […] portfolio for the EC, rolled out the new CT “package” last week as we continue to review the Homeland Security strategy recently released on this side of the Pond. There are some similarities, but differences are […]

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-80437 Homeland Security Watch » Or is the New Strategy Just Overdue? Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:43:15 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-80437 [...] the Strategy. This seems odd since a major highlight in the new document, also explained in this earlier post that broke the story of the Strategy being revised, that shows a very detailed process for policy, operations, and [...] […] the Strategy. This seems odd since a major highlight in the new document, also explained in this earlier post that broke the story of the Strategy being revised, that shows a very detailed process for policy, operations, and […]

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-80373 Homeland Security Watch » White House Formally Issues New Strategy Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:49:30 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-80373 [...] will recall the post we had here on September 25 introducing the presentation slides being used by White House officials to brief [...] […] will recall the post we had here on September 25 introducing the presentation slides being used by White House officials to brief […]

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79467 William R. Cumming Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:59:48 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79467 A final thought. Most levels of government assume that they can reorganize to deal with crisis incidents/events and thus don't really address 24/7 operations and how they can be accomplished. Even DOD often changes its plans and organizations to deal with large-scale domestic events as evidenced by a new report issued by RAND. Question, is there any suggestion in any of the documents issued by DHS/FEMA that perhaps delays inherent in organizing for fast breaking events might not cut it in certain emergencies? In other words, as required by 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix E for nuclear power plants, the existing capability must be verified on a continuous basis. Of course neither NRC or FEMA under its MOU does this but still the regulation requires it by use of the word "VERIFY." We're talking life saving here so the standards should be at the very highest level. Again no amatuers allowed. A final thought. Most levels of government assume that they can reorganize to deal with crisis incidents/events and thus don’t really address 24/7 operations and how they can be accomplished. Even DOD often changes its plans and organizations to deal with large-scale domestic events as evidenced by a new report issued by RAND. Question, is there any suggestion in any of the documents issued by DHS/FEMA that perhaps delays inherent in organizing for fast breaking events might not cut it in certain emergencies? In other words, as required by 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix E for nuclear power plants, the existing capability must be verified on a continuous basis. Of course neither NRC or FEMA under its MOU does this but still the regulation requires it by use of the word “VERIFY.” We’re talking life saving here so the standards should be at the very highest level. Again no amatuers allowed.

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79141 William R. Cumming Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:18:25 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79141 Look for the Republican Administration to embed as much policy guidance or regulation as possible before January 20, 2009. I was in the Under Secretary of DHUD office at midnight helping get to the Federal Register final and proposed rules to lock in the DEMS in the transition from Ford to Carter. Just there as a technician but much of that held up. Again, in the Reagan Administration post election publication before Bush Administration (and their were tensions among the two followings mostly stemming from 1980)when documents relevant to Homeland Security now were published. For example, Executive Orders 12656 and 12657 still in effect although the first has been admended. Both issued November 18th, 1988, and oddly enough both cite to a repealed law, the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, Public Law 920 of the 81st Congress as authority. Guess no lawyers have been reviewing EO's since repeal of that statute in November 1994 by Public Law 103-337. One (12657)keeps the nuclear power industry going and by the way says FEMA will make up for any deficiencies in response by the states (guess Katrina does not count) and the other (12656) tries to unify the national security state and homeland security state in assigning preparedness funtions to the departments and agencies. This order replaced EO 11490 which was the first EO to really tell the departments and agencies that they all had a role in EM and HS although a plan issued by the former OEP in 1964 approved by Presidnt Johnson attempted the same. By the way that 1964 response plan was the last federal plan approved by a President. Noticeably neither of those EOs cited the Robert T. Stafford Emergency Assistance and Distaster Relief Act (Public Law 100-707 amending in part and replacing in part, and supplementing in part the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, Public Law 93-234. The Stafford Act became law November 22, 1988, 5 days after the EO were issued. The complete capture of that statute by the National Security state is almost complete. Note the number of DOD supplementals that piggy-backed domestic disaster relief supplemental. Look for the Republican Administration to embed as much policy guidance or regulation as possible before January 20, 2009. I was in the Under Secretary of DHUD office at midnight helping get to the Federal Register final and proposed rules to lock in the DEMS in the transition from Ford to Carter. Just there as a technician but much of that held up. Again, in the Reagan Administration post election publication before Bush Administration (and their were tensions among the two followings mostly stemming from 1980)when documents relevant to Homeland Security now were published. For example, Executive Orders 12656 and 12657 still in effect although the first has been admended. Both issued November 18th, 1988, and oddly enough both cite to a repealed law, the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, Public Law 920 of the 81st Congress as authority. Guess no lawyers have been reviewing EO’s since repeal of that statute in November 1994 by Public Law 103-337. One (12657)keeps the nuclear power industry going and by the way says FEMA will make up for any deficiencies in response by the states (guess Katrina does not count) and the other (12656) tries to unify the national security state and homeland security state in assigning preparedness funtions to the departments and agencies. This order replaced EO 11490 which was the first EO to really tell the departments and agencies that they all had a role in EM and HS although a plan issued by the former OEP in 1964 approved by Presidnt Johnson attempted the same. By the way that 1964 response plan was the last federal plan approved by a President. Noticeably neither of those EOs cited the Robert T. Stafford Emergency Assistance and Distaster Relief Act (Public Law 100-707 amending in part and replacing in part, and supplementing in part the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, Public Law 93-234. The Stafford Act became law November 22, 1988, 5 days after the EO were issued. The complete capture of that statute by the National Security state is almost complete. Note the number of DOD supplementals that piggy-backed domestic disaster relief supplemental.

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79131 Jonah Czerwinski Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:20:06 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79131 Another perspective on the manner in which the new strategy is created and issued is in terms of timing. Why now? I can see why we'd revise the strategy in 2005: after the first strategy runs a couple years, the Iraq war is underway, the 2004 elections are over. But now? There'll be a new administration in about a year and it will likely opt for its own cut at a national HLS strategy. Of course, this go-around may be so spot on that the next team readily adopts it.... Another perspective on the manner in which the new strategy is created and issued is in terms of timing. Why now? I can see why we’d revise the strategy in 2005: after the first strategy runs a couple years, the Iraq war is underway, the 2004 elections are over. But now? There’ll be a new administration in about a year and it will likely opt for its own cut at a national HLS strategy. Of course, this go-around may be so spot on that the next team readily adopts it….

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79130 William R. Cumming Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:08:50 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2007/09/25/revised-homeland-security-strategy-underway/#comment-79130 Many have forgotten but the first Homeland Security Strategy was issued pursuant to a Congresssional mandate (The Republican Congress) and issued only reluctantly by the Advisor to the President for Homeland Security Tom Ridge later Secretary DHS. The interesting thing about the first report is it really did not mention the Congressional mandate, indicate who or how it had been prepared, who really was issuing it, and of course as always was sprung from whole cloth and not issued for public comment. Perhaps this will be the same routine again. Now that Frances Townshend has removed her name from being ever named DHS Secretary she may in the mood to really set the agenda for the next decade. Time will tell. Many have forgotten but the first Homeland Security Strategy was issued pursuant to a Congresssional mandate (The Republican Congress) and issued only reluctantly by the Advisor to the President for Homeland Security Tom Ridge later Secretary DHS. The interesting thing about the first report is it really did not mention the Congressional mandate, indicate who or how it had been prepared, who really was issuing it, and of course as always was sprung from whole cloth and not issued for public comment. Perhaps this will be the same routine again. Now that Frances Townshend has removed her name from being ever named DHS Secretary she may in the mood to really set the agenda for the next decade. Time will tell.

]]>