Here is a copy of some correspondences that I have had in regards to this project.
Matthew Borderick is the DHS Director of the Office of Operations Coordinator. The last quote was sent to me by a member of another group in response to my asking for assistance. He, as has others, has told me that “Yes, it is a good plan and it is what the government and public want but it will never happen as it is ‘to efficient’.” And yes deep down I probably feel the same way, but I am not going to give up that easily on this project.
I received a call the other day from a reporter from the New York Times who wanted to know about the proposal and what is being done. So I guess the word is getting out, just not as fast as some people would like because I am not talking about the scandal of who knew what and when that could have saved lives during the last storm season and here we go into the next round of storms. Hope someone can make since of all of this and point me in the right direction. Enjoy the reading.
Director Broderick,
I thank you for your timely response on this matter. I am glad to hear that there is a plan in the works for a regional basis type of plan but would that be as effective as a state based plan? The Impact Centers could be operational, in all of 5 years time fame at a total cost of about .5 billion dollars - from existing budgets. The 18 regions in FEMA all ready have Regional Response Teams. They are comprised of "volunteers" from mainly existing major metropolitan response teams (i.e.: New York Fire and Rescue, Denver Fire and Rescue, etc.). So for these teams to respond you have to send critical components from major cities to make up your response, which is not always the prudent choice.
I would be happy to send you a copy of the original proposal and discuss it further with you or a member of your staff as I am sure that you and your office stay busy with all that is going on right now, not to mention the new hurricane season. I am enclosing a copy of the command structure of the Impact Centers that you may get a feel of what I am proposing. Thanks again for your time.
Howard Lurker
----- Original Message -----
From: Broderick, Matthew
To: Howard Lurker
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:16 AM
Subject: RE: Assistance with Impact Center Project
Mr Lurker, the office of Preparedness is helping evaluate and implement a similar program but on a regional basis vice a state basis. Your proposal might be the ideal situation we all desire but both FEMA and DHS are currently lacking the qualified personnel and the budgeted funds to take on a proposal of that magnitude at this time, particularly in light of FEMA’s current “re-tooling” after Hurricane Katrina. Thank you for your suggestion and your concerns for our country. Matt
If you're really interested in advancing the state of emergency response in this country, I suggest you forget the government, which by its very nature is always going to screw things up, and contact an organization known as Business Executives for National Security, which you can find at
http://www.bens.org/ . Because, as every business leader knows, "being dead is bad for business."
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