June 12, 2007 FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Project Report

(1) 11th ANNUAL FEMA ALL-HAZARDS EMER.MGMT. HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE, JUNE 2-5, 2008:

Writers Workshop: Communicated with Bob Jaffin with American Public University concerning his email recommending scheduling a Writers Workshop during the next EM Hi Ed Conference. He would invite two English Professors from APU and seek to interest one or more book and periodical publishers to participate as well. I replied that the idea seems to have high merit and encouraged him to proceed.

Presenters Breakout Session. Bob Jaffin also recommended the development of a conference breakout session devoted to how to deliver presentations to large audiences in settings like the Plenary Sessions in the Auditorium during the EM Hi Ed Conference. I replied that I would like to hear from others on this topic -- such a session would be in competition with three to four others going on at the same time. Thus, if a reader who is a potential conference participant next year, wishes to weigh-in on this topic, now is your chance.

(2) FEMA APPROPRIATIONS-RELATED:

Braddock, Martha. "Update on Appropriations Action on FY 2008 Budget for Department of Homeland Security (DHS)." 10-page Memorandum to International Association of Emergency Managers, June 11, 2007. Accessed at:

http://www.iaem.com/committees/GovernmentAffairs/documents/Memo-HouseApproMarkupDraft061107.pdf

[Contains quotes of somewhat unusual mark-up language. Also available are H.R. 2638 (76 pages), the Appropriations Committee Report (170 pages) on the DHS 2008 Appropriations Bill, and the opening statement of Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chair, David Price -- at:

http://www.iaem.com/committees/GovernmentAffairs/GovtAffairs.htm#ganews061007]

(3) PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:

Davis, Lynn E., et al. Hurricane Katrina: Lessons for Army Planning and Operations. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, Arroyo Center, 2007, 107 pages. Accessed at:

http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG603/

[Abstract: "The efforts undertaken by civilian and military organizations in response to Hurricane Katrina were historically unprecedented, but problems did arise in the military response that contributed to delays in accomplishing evacuations and relief operations across the storm-ravaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, particularly New Orleans. A number of steps can be taken to enhance future military disaster-response efforts: give the National Guard the federal mission to conduct homeland security activities; make each National Guard unit capable of rapid deployment; prepare governors to call up Guard units to state active duty for out-of-state emergencies; and design a regional approach in the National Guard through the creation of ten National Guard standing homeland security task forces. Designating National Guard and active-duty units for homeland security in the Army's unit-readiness planning process also deserves consideration, as does an approach to command and control structure that prepares decision makers to quickly select from a set of predefined alternatives giving the lead to federal or state task forces depending on the characteristics of the emergency."]

(4) RECOVERY:

U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery. "The Road Home? An Examination of the Goals, Costs, Management and Impediments Facing Louisiana's Road Home Program." Washington, DC: May 24, 2007.

Witnesses Testimony

Panel 1

Donald E. Powell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, DHS

Nelson Bregon, Assistant Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

David Maurstad, Mitigation Directorate, FEMA/DHS

Panel 2

Walter Thomas, Resident, Lower 9th Ward

Connie Uddo, Administrator, St. Paul's Beacon of Hope Organization

Debbie Gordon, President, Chimneywood Homeowner's Association

Frank Silvestri, Co-Chairman, Citizens' Road Home Action Team

Frank Trapani, President, New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors

Panel 3

Andy Kopplin, Executive Director, Louisiana Recovery Authority

Suzie Elkins, Executive Director, Office of Community Development

Isabel Reiff, Senior Vice President, Social Programs & Strategic Communications, ICF

Accessed at:

http://www.senate.gov/~govt-aff/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=447

B.Wayne Blanchard, Ph.D., CEM

Higher Education Project Manager

Emergency Management Institute

National Emergency Training Center

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Homeland Security

16825 S. Seton, K-011

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

(301) 447-1262, voice

(301) 447-1598, fax

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