Measuring homeland security (Homeland Security funding cuts blasted)

[papau]

Former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge criticizes the House and Senate for eliminating funding for the next step in the reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security. http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20051212-094443-4940r.htm

Measuring homeland security

By Tom Ridge December 13, 2005
Both the House and the Senate have eliminated funding for the next logical and critical step in the reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security. The longer that step remains untaken, the longer the lessons of Hurricane Katrina will go unanswered. This heaps one tragedy upon another, since the solution to better preparedness against natural disasters, as well as terrorist attacks, already exists.
Sitting on departmental shelves is a comprehensive analysis in which multi-state regions have been identified consistent with both traditional and new security requirements. Primary and backup locations already have been targeted for specific regional offices. Roles and responsibilities already have been clarified. Even the precise number of employees at each office has been calculated. Every detail of the next step has been painstakingly provided. What remains lacking is congressional approval for creating this new level of capability across the country.
No other cabinet agency is so dependent upon the national integration of people, capabilities and information to achieve its mission. The Homeland Security Department created a national response plan (NRP) for the federal government and a national incident management system (NIMS) with state and local governments to further this integration. These plans align and assign roles, responsibilities and resources at each level of government. Add to these plans regional directors and offices working daily with governors, mayors, first responders, companies and citizens, and we gain a much-needed holistic approach to the way in which we protect ourselves.
Such a framework would empower those closest to an incident — natural or manmade, those who already understand the geography, rules, laws and available resources — to be in the best and first position to drive initial and immediate decision-making, response and communication to state and federal authorities. In other words, a direct-response team could be stood up at the exact time and location it is needed most. <snip>

The good news is that the plan to create these capabilities is already outlined in a bold framework for a new regional infrastructure. This logical way forward will strengthen the vital connections with the public and private sector and, most importantly, tighten the national web protecting our country.
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