FEMA out of money?

According to a report in USA Today (May 27th):

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has $2.4 billion in its Disaster Relief Fund to last through Sept. 30 and is seeking $1.8 billion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Lawmakers from both parties say those sums are not enough to pay for the billions in damage caused by the extraordinary string of weather-related disasters this spring.

"FEMA will have to stop recovery efforts in 50 states in the spring of 2012" without additional money for disaster relief, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., wrote in a letter to her colleagues. She heads the Senate panel that oversees FEMA finances.

So, how do you feel about that? Some folks have expressed the opinion that FEMA shouldn't do as much as they already do. My question to them is: "Who ya gonna call?"

Govenor's Hurricane Conference - New Orleans

Early next week begins the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (GOHSEP)Hurricane Conference. It's timed perfectly to happen right along withthe beginning of H-Season 2011 - I like that. With luck, all synapses willl be firing properly, allowing everyone to be as mentally engaged as they should be right now. Time to check the BS at the door and get serious about planning and preparedness.

Interestingly, in the 2011 DHS budget, though there are 12 DHS grant programs totaling $2.1 billion to assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector, the TOTAL budget was actually REDUCED by $780 million from the FY 2010 enacted level, nearly a quarter of FY 2010 DHS grant funding.

Hmmm...let's review:

 Heightened level of concern of OBL retributions? Check
 Economic impact of the pay of police, firefighters and EMS? Check
 Worst outbreak of tornadoes in history? Check
 Significantly increased threat of 2011 hurricanes? Check
 Border infiltration on the rise? Check
 Elevated concerns about "lone wolf" terrorists? Check

So, sure, why not cut the funding needed to prepare and respond to these challenges? Thanks, Washington, DC, your timing is perfect!

So, how do we do more with less? My suggestion is to develop stronger public / private partnerships. Outsource what you can, without impacting your day-to-day operations, or - most importantly - public safety.

Why?

Top 10 Reasons Organizations Outsource

1. Reduce and control operating costs
2. Improve organizational focus
3. Gain access to world-class capabilities
4. Free internal resources for other purposes
5. Resources are not available internally
6. Accelerate reengineering benefits
7. Function difficult to manage/out of control
8. Make capital funds available
9. Share risks
10. Cash infusion

Source: Survey of Current and Potential Outsourcing End-Users
The Outsourcing Institute Membership, 1998

So, why not consider carefully those elements of preparedness, response and mitigation that you can safely and effectively hand off to a trusted partner? It just makes sense. By establishing pre-event contracts, incorporating your partner into your daily operations and having regular exercises, you KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT when the stuff hits the rotary oscillator.

"It is Wisdom We Need"

In the essay "Open Sesame" by Henry Miller (included in his book "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird"), Mr. Miller makes the statement,"Every great sage has maintained that it is impossible to impart wisdom. And it is wisdom we need, not more knowledge, or even 'better' knowledge. We need wisdom of life, which is a kind of knowledge that only initiates thus far have been known to possess."

Wow, how true is this, particularly in the field of preparedness and continuity planning?

While there are several definitions of the word "initiate", Mr. Miller clearly uses the one which implies, as defined by Merriam-Webster: (noun)a person who is instructed or adept in some special field. I'd even go a step further: A person who is experienced in a special field, gained through living that experience.

Wisdom. Yes, that's exactly what is needed.

And, as long as I'm quoting from great thinkers, try this one on for size:

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain

Business Continuity: Are you REALLY Ready?

The events of this spring have been absolutely mindbending, even for the professionals in this business. Massive tornadoes, distroying entire cities - wow. But, if any good thing can come from all this, it's that dose of reality that we should all be taking right now, regarding the importance of plans and exercises. Are you listening?

I am constantly amazed by the number of organizations that still view business continuity planning as an exercise in compliance. Even those that take the steps to create a plan often don't take the next step, exercising those plans on a regular basis. That, my friends, is a recipe for failure. Moreover, most plans are developed without the input of an expert who has actually "been there, done that." Don't take me wrong, following the guidelines of the standards, such as BS25999, NFPA1600 or ISO31000, using a Certified Professional (CBCP / CBCI / CCM) is the right first step. But, tempering the planning process in the fires of "real world experience" can't be overstated.

I have conducted numerous plan reviews, only to find that, based on my observations in the field, during and immediately following a genuine disaster, many elements would be doomed to fail.

So, get REAL - and GET MOVING!

Self Depolyment or Volunteering?

So, I had an interesting "dialogue" today, via Facebook pposts, on the topic on "self deploying" to Joplin (or any other disaster). It's always true that people want to help in the aftermath of a crisis, for a variety of reason: pure, unselfish compulsion to help; guilt for not doing enough; and, yes, self-glorification. But, the question is, should you just rush in?

Let's begin by acknowledging that every disaster is, at first, a local event. And, we should recognize that, in almost every case, the true "first responder" is Joe (or Joan) Citizen. He or she is right there, as, or shortly after, the "thing" happens. God bless those people! Many a person has been saved because somebody ACTED instead of WAITED. I'm all about that. But, as good as you may be at CPR, when the Thoracic Surgeon arrives, you need to step politely aside. That's where we draw the line.

In every disaster that I've been involved in, there have been hordes of folks streaming in to help. Tons of ice, thousands of bandaids, gazillions of stuffed animals - all delivered from the heart. In the course of delivering them, however, the cars and trucks have clogged the limited thoroughfares needed for ambulances, police cars, firetrucks and utility vehicles (themselves staffed with volunteers, in many cases).

Don't take me wrong - I was born with the heart of a volunteer. I honor that spirit more than I can express. What I'm saying is, take that wondrous spirit and TRAIN IT, by becoming a member of your local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), or volunteer EMT, or volunteer firefighter. Then, affiliate yourself with a mission-oriented team. That way, when the "bad thing" happens, you can become a part of an organized response fabric.

In every emergency, everyone involved, victim or responder, have needs that must be filled - food, shelter, medical care, emotional care. Unless you are part of the organized effort, working toward the goals of the greater mission, then you are a part of the problem. The responders will likely wind up having to worry about you, along with the primary victims of the event.

Please don't let that happen. Get involved - but first, get organized! Until then, let the professionals do their work.

Joplin

Our thoughts are with the people of Joplin this morning. Unless you've seen it, you simply can't imagine the devastation that a tornado such as this can cause. Tuscaloosa was easily as severe as any damage I have ever witnessed - this one in Joplin seems equally as bad.

If any good thing can come from situations like this, it can oly be the opportunity to learn. Learn to react when warnings are given - most people don't. Learn to plan ahead for what to do when a situation turns dire. Learn to be prepared.

Most of all, learn to be compassionate - do all you can to help your neighbors in need, even if they are a country away.

Haiti - is it any better?

Well, the short answer is: no.

Last week, I attended a conference in San Juan, PR, on the topic of investment in haiti. One of the key speakers was former U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), spokesman for the Clinton Foundation.

It has been nearly a year and half since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake, but Meek said local companies are still in time to do business in Haiti because the recovery project, described as “massive,” is only now just getting under way and is expected to last 10 to 20 years.

“The boat has not left, it hasn’t even been launched yet in Haiti,” Meek said.

I have personal friends and business contacts in Haiti, who agree. With the caveat that it won't be easy. Still, having been there, I can tell you that the need is significant. People are still living in "tent cities" - even that term glorifies the conditions in which many are living.

As we enter the 2011 Hurricane Season, let's hope that Haiti's new government will get agressive in finding ways to protect the lives of the displaced. Let's hope that the money donated - in the billions of dollars - will finally start to flow towards the good of the country.