Showing posts with label VLG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VLG. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
My Facebook Page
Please note that not all postings to my FACEBOOK page are related to FEMA, EMERGENCY Management, Crisis Management or disaster relief and recovery. Some are but often just article of interest on which I add a cryptic comment. Enjoy and remember their are some security issues with FACEBOOK that have NOT been fixed.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Blog Evolution!
AS many know I have not encouraged comments on this blog and do not intend to encourage them. But I am starting a new blog on Wordpress with the caption Vacationlanegrp! Comments will be welcome on any postings on that blog. As always e-mails may be sent directly to me at vacationlanegrp@aol.com or more simply at vlg338@Yahoo.com
Over time I am hoping the evolution of the two blogs will result in clear evidence of the distinction between them. The Vacation Lane Blog will be more focused on FEMA and its history and the Vacationlanegrp blog on current events and the milieu of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
By the way Australia (either the world's largest Island or the 7th Continent-Making Papua/New Guinea the largest Island)is definitely having a mindboggling flood at present. Guess safety on top of Ayres Rock.
Over time I am hoping the evolution of the two blogs will result in clear evidence of the distinction between them. The Vacation Lane Blog will be more focused on FEMA and its history and the Vacationlanegrp blog on current events and the milieu of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
By the way Australia (either the world's largest Island or the 7th Continent-Making Papua/New Guinea the largest Island)is definitely having a mindboggling flood at present. Guess safety on top of Ayres Rock.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Blog Year In Review
Well it has been really fun blogging this year. Because several postings overtaken by events they were eliminated but still over 300 entries this year. Interestingly to me is that yesterday's blog drew a statistically significant increase in hits. Guess with nothing to do but blame the Mayor the snowbound were playing on the computer.
Also of interest is the getting more hits out of Great Britain, France, Iraq (perhaps US forces?) and Russia. Well I can and do argue that the policy choices and issues underlying EM and HS are universal [well perhaps only Earthly wide] in their application.
Domestically Haiti and the BP Oil Spill and the Blizzard of 2010 looking like having some lasting impact. I first met Professor Tom Birkland, PhD after 9/11/01 when collaborating on some projects with Claire Rubin including research on her timeline projects and other matters. Tom is really the guru on how "focusing events" have impacted EM. His articles and books seem to have definitely withstood the test of time even with some might argue is an academic career likely to run for several decades more. So strongly urge reading his work.
What is beginning to scare me, however, is that while events might focus attention that does not mean that long lasting reform or learning from those events will occur. Hoping I am wrong of course. The whole purpose of this blog is to add what little I can to learning from the past and also from current events.
The end of the first decade of the 21st Century (depending on how you count of course)I think has locked in EM and HS as features of governance for the rest of the century. One of the things that interests me is that there is no question that the oldest and richest democracy (actually a Republic) continues to lead the world in many aspects of EM and HS. But not exclusively of course. And the NOT INVENTED HERE syndrome continues to plague much of EM and HS even while brains equal to anything here deal with the same issues elsewhere.
And below the surface the increasing effort of the USAF to become involved in domestic EM and fund an extensive effort is fascinating to watch. I was told that USAF funded over 500 personnel, both enlisted and officers, to attend one of the IAEM biannual meetings this year. While not exactly sure on funded the attendance at that meeting by these personnel was definitely authorized and encouraged. Of course NORTHCOM was led several times already by USAF flag ranks.
In a way 2010 and its events clear the way for a whole host of new problems that I believe will dominate events starting in 2011 but extending far past that calendar year. These include the forced withdrawal from Iraq, the potential of Iranian influence there, the dissolution of that nation state and other long term impacts of the US invasion of 2003. I am predicting civil war and sectarian violence but hoping I am wrong for that potentially powerful country.
Mexico is of the deepest concern to me and I separate out that nation-state from other international concerns of the US in its foreign policy and relations. The 2010 Decennial Census documents again how we are becoming a single country and each mutually dependent on the other--and unfortunately dependent on each other for losing to the drug cartels.
Haiti of course looks like a preview of many efforts by other nation-states to repeal the MONROE DOCTRINE by using their soft power, not hard power, to influence the West Hemisphere for both good and bad. You do understand that China runs the Panama Canal and many S.American ports do you not? And the Canal is being widened significantly and that effort will be complete by 2016 so that VLCC [Very Large Cargo Carriers] that can carry three times the containers of current ships can get through the canal. Oddly the Baltic Dry index continues to drop as world trade freezes up from the economic distress of many countries including the US that are significant debtors. The last major country to repudiate its foreign debt was Russian in 1997 but I suspect more are on the way.
And of course MOTHER NATURE will be heard from again in many ways in 2011. But it is the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES under its new Republican majority and despite what some argue an incompetent Senate Majority, weakened by the election but not overturned,and a bumbling or worse Executive Branch that indicates that Bill's ranking of the US in its governance stands about 2 on a scale of 10 being the best largely because of corruption and lack of leadership and brainpower.
Well hoping as always for improvements in that ranking. And of course all know now that the Shanghai school system is best in the world based on standardized tests. That may not be the only measure but still significant.
And finally the Chinese have done a really great job promoting what I call the Chinese Condominium this year. If they can just manage successfully internal dissent and pressures from religion to ecomomics it could be their century. I do believe that the geriatic leadership of China means that the next generation will be even tougher to deal with. And the recruitment of Chinese-Americans with technical skills continues and now I see and hear more and more of recruitment of non-Chinese American talent and from elsewhere in the world that is a wonder to watch.
And wondering if the longer term rivalry of India and China will turn primarily on language and demographics. The seizure of Tibet by military conquest by China in 1959 looking more and more like driven by water resource issues. That topic may soon be dominating much of the relations of various nation-states.
Happy New Years To All!
Also of interest is the getting more hits out of Great Britain, France, Iraq (perhaps US forces?) and Russia. Well I can and do argue that the policy choices and issues underlying EM and HS are universal [well perhaps only Earthly wide] in their application.
Domestically Haiti and the BP Oil Spill and the Blizzard of 2010 looking like having some lasting impact. I first met Professor Tom Birkland, PhD after 9/11/01 when collaborating on some projects with Claire Rubin including research on her timeline projects and other matters. Tom is really the guru on how "focusing events" have impacted EM. His articles and books seem to have definitely withstood the test of time even with some might argue is an academic career likely to run for several decades more. So strongly urge reading his work.
What is beginning to scare me, however, is that while events might focus attention that does not mean that long lasting reform or learning from those events will occur. Hoping I am wrong of course. The whole purpose of this blog is to add what little I can to learning from the past and also from current events.
The end of the first decade of the 21st Century (depending on how you count of course)I think has locked in EM and HS as features of governance for the rest of the century. One of the things that interests me is that there is no question that the oldest and richest democracy (actually a Republic) continues to lead the world in many aspects of EM and HS. But not exclusively of course. And the NOT INVENTED HERE syndrome continues to plague much of EM and HS even while brains equal to anything here deal with the same issues elsewhere.
And below the surface the increasing effort of the USAF to become involved in domestic EM and fund an extensive effort is fascinating to watch. I was told that USAF funded over 500 personnel, both enlisted and officers, to attend one of the IAEM biannual meetings this year. While not exactly sure on funded the attendance at that meeting by these personnel was definitely authorized and encouraged. Of course NORTHCOM was led several times already by USAF flag ranks.
In a way 2010 and its events clear the way for a whole host of new problems that I believe will dominate events starting in 2011 but extending far past that calendar year. These include the forced withdrawal from Iraq, the potential of Iranian influence there, the dissolution of that nation state and other long term impacts of the US invasion of 2003. I am predicting civil war and sectarian violence but hoping I am wrong for that potentially powerful country.
Mexico is of the deepest concern to me and I separate out that nation-state from other international concerns of the US in its foreign policy and relations. The 2010 Decennial Census documents again how we are becoming a single country and each mutually dependent on the other--and unfortunately dependent on each other for losing to the drug cartels.
Haiti of course looks like a preview of many efforts by other nation-states to repeal the MONROE DOCTRINE by using their soft power, not hard power, to influence the West Hemisphere for both good and bad. You do understand that China runs the Panama Canal and many S.American ports do you not? And the Canal is being widened significantly and that effort will be complete by 2016 so that VLCC [Very Large Cargo Carriers] that can carry three times the containers of current ships can get through the canal. Oddly the Baltic Dry index continues to drop as world trade freezes up from the economic distress of many countries including the US that are significant debtors. The last major country to repudiate its foreign debt was Russian in 1997 but I suspect more are on the way.
And of course MOTHER NATURE will be heard from again in many ways in 2011. But it is the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES under its new Republican majority and despite what some argue an incompetent Senate Majority, weakened by the election but not overturned,and a bumbling or worse Executive Branch that indicates that Bill's ranking of the US in its governance stands about 2 on a scale of 10 being the best largely because of corruption and lack of leadership and brainpower.
Well hoping as always for improvements in that ranking. And of course all know now that the Shanghai school system is best in the world based on standardized tests. That may not be the only measure but still significant.
And finally the Chinese have done a really great job promoting what I call the Chinese Condominium this year. If they can just manage successfully internal dissent and pressures from religion to ecomomics it could be their century. I do believe that the geriatic leadership of China means that the next generation will be even tougher to deal with. And the recruitment of Chinese-Americans with technical skills continues and now I see and hear more and more of recruitment of non-Chinese American talent and from elsewhere in the world that is a wonder to watch.
And wondering if the longer term rivalry of India and China will turn primarily on language and demographics. The seizure of Tibet by military conquest by China in 1959 looking more and more like driven by water resource issues. That topic may soon be dominating much of the relations of various nation-states.
Happy New Years To All!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Derivation of Vacation Lane Group and Blog
I get asked from time to time where I got the name for my nonprofit and blog! Easy. I went to Junior High School at 4100 Vacation Lane in Arlington Virginia for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade from 1954-1957. I always thought interesting to have a school built on VACATION LANE.
Then in November 1972 I bought a house on Vacation Lane in N. Arlington County, VA and lived there from time I and wife moved in until December 2003. Essentially 31 years. Both sons raised exclusively in that house.
Whenever I signed a check clerks often commented on how they wished they could live in a house on Vacation Lane many not knowing where it was. So in creating the nonprofit and blog thought I would use the name because I always liked it also. And of course I had many fond memories of that house, my family, and that location.
So now you know!
Then in November 1972 I bought a house on Vacation Lane in N. Arlington County, VA and lived there from time I and wife moved in until December 2003. Essentially 31 years. Both sons raised exclusively in that house.
Whenever I signed a check clerks often commented on how they wished they could live in a house on Vacation Lane many not knowing where it was. So in creating the nonprofit and blog thought I would use the name because I always liked it also. And of course I had many fond memories of that house, my family, and that location.
So now you know!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Why I blog?
Posting the Pew Trust in Government graphic may cause some to question why I did so. I am a second generation civil servant, probably long ago realized that "Corridors of Power" by a well-known British writer CP Snow was quite different from the US Civil Service. Yet I did my best to help implement the vision of appointees I worked for that had vision and I believed understood that ultimately their time in office was short and they were there in the government trying to make America a better place. Many did so. Some did not.
This blog is hopefully directed to increasing trust in government by demonstrating that good ideas and policies sometimes make it into the daylight but often don't. It is not my purpose to fully explain either outcome and I am sure many would disagree with my rationale and conclusions. I have witnessed some amazing events in 34 years of FEDERAL SERVICE including 2 years, 10 months, 4 days, and 7 hours in the military but who was counting. I do feel lucky though because many men better than I have given the last full measure of devotion to the USA and I try and remember that every day. I am also a cancer survivor so feel lucky from that standpoint also.
No the purpose of the blog is so that it can serve as a shortcut for some who wish to understand how we (US) got where we are on Emergency Management and Homeland Security and to note that the world of EM and HS did NOT begin on 9/11/01! If my contribution is limited my hope for understanding is not and hoping that the oldest and richest democracy (Republic really) can show the rest of the world the thoughtfullness, patience with the democratic process, and understanding so that others understand better these essentially civil functions.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
QHSR Technical Review By VLG
The purpose of this document is to review the published February 2010 report against the requirements of section 707 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by Section 2401 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 [Public Law 110-53, August 3, 2007]
1) Section 707 requirement:
(1) QUADRENNIAL REVIEWS REQUIRED. —In fiscal year 2009, and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a review of the homeland security of the Nation (in this section referred to as a ‘quadrennial homeland security review’).
(2) SCOPE OF REVIEWS. —Each quadrennial homeland security review shall be a comprehensive examination of the homeland security strategy of the Nation, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities of the Nation for homeland security and guidance on the programs, assets, capabilities, budget, policies, and authorities of the Department.
2) Section 707 requirement:
(4) RELATIONSHIP WITH FUTURE YEARS HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM. —The Secretary shall ensure that each review conducted under this section is coordinated with the Future Years Homeland Security Program required under section 874.
CONTENTS OF REVIEW. —In each quadrennial homeland security review, the Secretary shall—
(1) delineate and update, as appropriate, the national homeland security strategy, consistent with appropriate national and Department strategies, strategic plans, and Homeland Security Presidential Directives, including the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the National Response Plan, and the Department Security Strategic Plan;
(2) outline and prioritize the full range of the critical homeland security mission areas of the Nation;(3) describe the interagency cooperation, preparedness of Federal response assets, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the homeland security program and policies of the Nation associated with the national homeland security strategy, required to execute successfully the full range of missions called for in the national homeland security strategy described in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2);
(4) identify the budget plan required to provide sufficient resources to successfully execute the full range of missions called for in the national homeland security strategy described in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2);
(5) include an assessment of the organizational alignment of the Department with the national homeland security strategy referred to in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2); and
(6) review and assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Department for executing the process of turning the requirements developed in the quadrennial homeland security review into an acquisition strategy and expenditure plan within the Department.
VLG Comment:
From the Preface of the QHSR:
The report is not a resource prioritization document, although in identifying key mission areas for priority focus, it is highly indicative of where those priorities should lie. Nor does the QHSR detail the roles and responsibilities of Federal or other institutions for each mission area. Instead, the QHSR functions as a strategic document that seeks to answer the most fundamental questions that many Americans still ask about homeland security. By describing a forward-looking homeland security vision for the Nation and the requisite set of key mission areas, goals, objectives, and outcomes, integrated across the breadth of the homeland security landscape, it also will serve as a roadmap to keep America safe, secure, and resilient in the years ahead.
From the STATUTE:
“Each annual report shall include . . . the national homeland security strategy, including a prioritized list of the critical homeland security missions of the Nation . . .”
VLG Analysis: Promises promises!
1) Section 707 requirement:
(1) QUADRENNIAL REVIEWS REQUIRED. —In fiscal year 2009, and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a review of the homeland security of the Nation (in this section referred to as a ‘quadrennial homeland security review’).
(2) SCOPE OF REVIEWS. —Each quadrennial homeland security review shall be a comprehensive examination of the homeland security strategy of the Nation, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities of the Nation for homeland security and guidance on the programs, assets, capabilities, budget, policies, and authorities of the Department.
VLG Comment:
QHSR states more reports will follow the February 2010 issuance. Note that no discussion of budgets or capabilities appears in current version.
2) Section 707 requirement:
(4) RELATIONSHIP WITH FUTURE YEARS HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM. —The Secretary shall ensure that each review conducted under this section is coordinated with the Future Years Homeland Security Program required under section 874.
VLG Comment:3) Section 707 Further Requirements:
Coordination with Future Homeland Security Program unknown.
CONTENTS OF REVIEW. —In each quadrennial homeland security review, the Secretary shall—
(1) delineate and update, as appropriate, the national homeland security strategy, consistent with appropriate national and Department strategies, strategic plans, and Homeland Security Presidential Directives, including the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the National Response Plan, and the Department Security Strategic Plan;
(2) outline and prioritize the full range of the critical homeland security mission areas of the Nation;(3) describe the interagency cooperation, preparedness of Federal response assets, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the homeland security program and policies of the Nation associated with the national homeland security strategy, required to execute successfully the full range of missions called for in the national homeland security strategy described in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2);
(4) identify the budget plan required to provide sufficient resources to successfully execute the full range of missions called for in the national homeland security strategy described in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2);
(5) include an assessment of the organizational alignment of the Department with the national homeland security strategy referred to in paragraph (1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under paragraph (2); and
(6) review and assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Department for executing the process of turning the requirements developed in the quadrennial homeland security review into an acquisition strategy and expenditure plan within the Department.
(c) REPORTING. —
(1) IN GENERAL. —Not later than December 31 of the year in which a quadrennial homeland security review is conducted, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report regarding that quadrennial homeland security review.
(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—(A) the results of the quadrennial homeland security review;
(B) a description of the threats to the assumed or defined national homeland security interests of the Nation that were examined for the purposes of that review;
(C) the national homeland security strategy, including a prioritized list of the critical homeland security missions of the Nation;
(D) a description of the interagency cooperation, preparedness of Federal response assets, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the homeland security program and policies of the Nation associated with the national homeland security strategy, required to execute successfully the full range of missions called for in the applicable national homeland security strategy referred to in subsection (b)(1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under subsection (b)(2);
(E) an assessment of the organizational alignment of the Department with the applicable national homeland security strategy referred to in subsection (b)(1) and the homeland security mission areas outlined under subsection
(b)(2), including the Department’s organizational structure, management systems, budget and accounting systems, human resources systems, procurement systems, and physical and technical infrastructure;
(F) a discussion of the status of cooperation among Federal agencies in the effort to promote national homeland security;
(G) a discussion of the status of cooperation between the Federal Government and State, local, and tribal governments in preventing terrorist attacks and preparing for emergency response to threats to national homeland security;
(H) an explanation of any underlying assumptions used in conducting the review; and
(I) any other matter the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary shall, consistent with the protection of national security and other sensitive matters, make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the Internet website of the Department.(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. —There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.’’.2005 01:47 Sep 08, 2007 Jkt 059139 PO 00000
(b) PREPARATION FOR QUADRENNIAL HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW. —
(1) IN GENERAL. —During fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall make preparations to conduct the first quadrennial homeland security review under section 707 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a), in fiscal year 2009, including—
(A) determining the tasks to be performed;(2) REPORT. —Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make publicly available on the Internet website of the Department of Homeland Security a detailed resource plan specifying the estimated budget and number of staff members that will be required for preparation of the first quadrennial homeland security review.
(B) estimating the human, financial, and other resources required to perform each task;
(C) establishing the schedule for the execution of all project tasks;
(D) ensuring that these resources will be available as needed; and
(E) all other preparations considered necessary by the Secretary.
VLG Comment:
From the Preface of the QHSR:
The report is not a resource prioritization document, although in identifying key mission areas for priority focus, it is highly indicative of where those priorities should lie. Nor does the QHSR detail the roles and responsibilities of Federal or other institutions for each mission area. Instead, the QHSR functions as a strategic document that seeks to answer the most fundamental questions that many Americans still ask about homeland security. By describing a forward-looking homeland security vision for the Nation and the requisite set of key mission areas, goals, objectives, and outcomes, integrated across the breadth of the homeland security landscape, it also will serve as a roadmap to keep America safe, secure, and resilient in the years ahead.
From the STATUTE:
“Each annual report shall include . . . the national homeland security strategy, including a prioritized list of the critical homeland security missions of the Nation . . .”
VLG Analysis: Promises promises!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What Does VLG Do?
The Vacation Lane Group (VLG) is a nonprofit Virginia corporation dedicated to operating in a democratic society to assist in organizing and expanding knowledge of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Emergency Management is the organization of the civil governmental and non-governmental organizational response on a national basis (federal, state, and local) to unexpected events that threaten public health and safety and property, and the civil sector preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery to and from those events. Homeland Security is the prevention of terrorist acts, the reduction in the consequences of those events on people and property, and the response and recovery from those terrorist events.
The VLG is not directly involved, however, with assisting in the prevention of terrorist acts or criminal law enforcement. The VLG is concerned, however, with the effective and efficient integration of technical advice (scientific, engineering. legal) for decision-makers during the crisis management and consequence management phases of terrorist events and assisting in the effective coordination of the response of organizations to unexpected events. In addition, civil-military relationships that occur during large scale unexpected events are also the subject of VLG analysis and reports and assistance.
The VLG is not directly involved, however, with assisting in the prevention of terrorist acts or criminal law enforcement. The VLG is concerned, however, with the effective and efficient integration of technical advice (scientific, engineering. legal) for decision-makers during the crisis management and consequence management phases of terrorist events and assisting in the effective coordination of the response of organizations to unexpected events. In addition, civil-military relationships that occur during large scale unexpected events are also the subject of VLG analysis and reports and assistance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)