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Nuclear Waste: DOE Needs a Comprehensive Strategy and Guidance on Computer Models That Support Environmental Cleanup Decisions, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) is responsible for one of the world's largest cleanup programs: treatment and disposal of radioactive and hazardous waste created as a by-product of nuclear weapons production and energy research at sites across the country, such as EM's Hanford Site in Washington State and the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. Computer models--which represent physical and biogeochemical processes as mathematical formulas--are one tool EM uses in the cleanups. GAO was asked to (1) describe how EM uses computer models in cleanup decisions; (2) evaluate how EM ensures the quality of its computer models; and (3) assess EM's overall strategy for managing its computer models. GAO analyzed the use of selected models in decisions at Hanford and SRS, reviewed numerous quality assurance documents, and interviewed DOE officials as well as contractors and regulators."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-02
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George C. Marshall: The Essential Strategic Leader
"The complexity of the 21st century operational environment, Global War on Terrorism, and on-going Army transformation, requires more of Army leaders at all levels. One can apply lessons learned from General George C. Marshall's career when developing today's leadership programs. George Marshall had unique foreign, domestic, and wartime experiences from his commissioning to his final military assignment as Army Chief of Staff. General Marshall displayed certain talents and abilities that allowed him to function with, be accepted by, and finally be chosen by national civilian authority for service as Secretary of State. These attributes, elements of character, and calculated uses of the strategic art enabled the creation or expansion of skills that facilitated strategic leadership at an unprecedented scale. This paper examines Marshall's character, education, experiences, and decisions; then coordinates those experiences with selected Pentathlete skills and metacompetencies forming strategic leader essentials. Finally, cultural adjustments, institutional changes, professional education, and self-awareness recommendations were suggested to improve leadership development for contemporary officer leaders in the Army."
Army War College (U.S.)
Tipton, Jeffrey S.
2007-03-30
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8(A) Program: The Importance of Effective Fraud Prevention Controls, Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Director Forensic Audits and Investigative Service, Testimony Before the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate
"This testimony discusses the results of our prior investigation of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program. SBA's 8(a) program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a development program created to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market. To participate in the program, a firm must be certified as meeting several criteria, including: be a small business as defined by SBA; be unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of the United States; and show potential for success. Upon certification, firms can obtain federal contracts without competing fully and openly for the work. For example, agencies are permitted to enter into sole-source contracts after soliciting and negotiating with only one 8(a) company. They also can participate in restricted competitions for federal contracts, known as set-asides, open to only 8(a) companies. In March 2010, GAO issued two companion reports on the 8(a) program, one focused on internal control procedures and processes that SBA has implemented to ensure that only eligible firms participate in the program and one focused on fraud prevention. This testimony is based on the latter report, and addresses three issues: (1) whether ineligible firms were participating in the 8(a) program, (2) the results of our proactive testing of the application process, and (3) strengths and weaknesses in SBA's fraud prevention system."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03-03
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DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld [September 12, 2001]
From the statement of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld: "First, we currently believe and are certainly hopeful that the number of casualties being reported in the press is high. As you know from your own observation out there, the work is still going forward, and we won't know for some time precise numbers. But from everything that we currently know, the estimate that's been widely reported is considerably high, and we certainly pray that that's the case. Second, I do want to again express our sympathy to the families and friends and colleagues of all those who have been harmed by this attack on our country. Also, we are, needless to say, deeply grateful to the many units from all over this area that are out there and have been out there for more that 24 hours -- firemen and ambulances and different teams and squads of individuals who are doing a very professional job for our country. We are, in a sense, seeing the definition of a new battlefield in the world, a 20th -- 21st century battlefield, and it is a different kind of conflict. It is something that is not unique to this century, to be sure, but it is -- given our geography and given our circumstance, it is, in a major sense, new for this country. Finally, I'd like to say a word or two to the men and women in the defense establishment, most of whom deal with classified information. Since the end of the Cold War, there's been a relaxation of tension, and the -- it's had a lot of effects. It's led to proliferation. It's led to the movement towards asymmetrical threats, as opposed to more conventional threats."
United States. Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
2001-09-12
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the EEO Eagle Complaint Enterprise System
"The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Program operates the EEO Eagle Complaint Enterprise System. EEO Eagle is an electronic records system used to track complaints and supporting documentation relating to individual and class complaints of employment discrimination and retaliation prohibited by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) civil rights statutes. CRCL EEO has conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because EEO Eagle collects and stores personally identifiable information (PII)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-06-03
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EPA Initiates Emergency Response Activities, Reassures Public About Environmental Hazards [September 13, 2001]
"U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Administrator Christie Whitman today announced that EPA is taking steps to ensure the safety of rescue workers and the public at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon disaster sites, and to protect the environment. EPA is working with state, federal, and local agencies to monitor and respond to potential environmental hazards and minimize any environmental effects of the disasters and their aftermath. At the request of the New York City Department of Health, EPA and the U.S. Department of Labor= s [sic] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been on the scene at the World Trade Center monitoring exposure to potentially contaminated dust and debris. Monitoring and sampling conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday have been very reassuring about potential exposure of rescue crews and the public to environmental contaminants."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2001-09-13
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HHS Initiates Immediate and Long-Term Steps to Address Emotional and Mental Health Consequences of Terrorist Air Attacks [September 13, 2001]
"HHS [United States Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced steps the department is taking to respond to the immediate and long-term emotional and psychological impact of the loss of life and damage caused by terrorists in New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. The Secretary, in New York today to tour health and emergency facilities, acted in response to concerns about mental health consequences expressed by local and state officials. HHS personnel have already begun to help coordinate crisis counseling programs for victims, their families, and the thousands of professional and volunteer rescue workers. Today's actions include immediate release of $1 million in funding for New York to support mental health services and strategic planning for comprehensive and long-term support."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
2001-09-13
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Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from the H1N1 Pandemic Should Be Incorporated into Future Planning, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic was the first human pandemic in over four decades, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there were as many as 89 million U.S. cases. Over $6 billion was available for the response, led by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS), with coordination provided by the Homeland Security Council (HSC) through its National Security Staff (NSS). In particular, HHS's CDC worked with states and localities to communicate with the public and to distribute H1N1 vaccine and supplies. GAO was asked (1) how HHS used the funding, (2) the key issues raised by the federal response, and (3) the actions taken to identify and incorporate lessons learned. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from five states about their interaction with the federal government. GAO also reviewed documents and interviewed officials from HHS, DHS, the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), NSS, and others, such as associations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-06
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Watchlist Service
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently uses the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), a consolidated database maintained by the Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) of identifying information about those known or reasonably suspected of being involved in terrorist activity in order to facilitate DHS mission-related functions, such counterterrorism, law enforcement, border security, and inspection activities. DHS and TSC are improving the current method of transmitting TSDB data from TSC to DHS. Through a new service called the 'DHS Watchlist Service' (WLS), TSC and DHS will automate and simplify the current manual process. TSC remains the authoritative source of watchlist data and will provide DHS with near real-time synchronization of the TSDB. DHS will ensure that each DHS component system receives only those TSDB records which they are authorized to use under the WLS Memorandum of Understanding and authorized under existing regulations and privacy compliance documentation between TSC and DHS (WLS MOU) and any amendments or modifications thereto. DHS conducted this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because the WLS will maintain a synchronized copy of the TSDB, which contains personally identifiable information (PII), and disseminate it to authorized DHS components."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-07-14
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Icomplaints Complaint Enterprise System
"The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Program operates the Icomplaints Complaint Enterprise System. Icomplaints is an electronic records system used to track complaints and supporting documentation relating to individual and class complaints of employment discrimination and retaliation prohibited by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) civil rights statutes. Icomplaints will replace EEO Eagle as EEO Eagle is being decommissioned. CRCL EEO has conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because Icomplaints collects and stores personally identifiable information (PII)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-07-08
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Department Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Records Program
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components (Department or DHS) have established a Departmental Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Program to maintain records created by the Department's FOIA and PA staff, as well as to manage a multitude of FOIA and PA systems. While DHS has established the Department's FOIA and PA program, some components have established information technology as well as paper-based systems designed to handle component-specific FOIA and PA processing. The purpose of the various systems within the FOIA and PA program is to process record requests and administrative appeals under the FOIA and PA, as well as access, notification, and amendment requests and appeals under the PA. These systems also maintain records used in litigation arising from such requests and appeals, and in assisting DHS in carrying out any other responsibilities under the FOIA and PA. The DHS Privacy Office has conducted this privacy impact assessment (PIA) to assess the risks presented by the use of personally identifiable information (PII) in the various FOIA and PA processes and systems employed by DHS' FOIA and PA program."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-08-18
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Eversity Enterprise System
"The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program operates the Eversity Enterprise System. Eversity is an electronic records system used in workforce analysis, tracking, management, and reporting required under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Management Directive (MD) 715. CRCL EEO has conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because Eversity collects and stores personally identifiable information (PII)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-09-14
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Privacy Impact Assessment Update for the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Entellitrak
"The Offices for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have established a new database called Entellitrak which is an enterprise tracking system that has been configured to track, search, and report on complaints data. It is a database developed to respond to allegations of abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and religious, racial, and ethnic profiling by department employees and officials. Entellitrak will replace the legacy system CRCL Matters with all CRCL Matters data migrating onto Entellitrak in the transition. This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is being conducted because Entellitrak collects and stores personally identifiable information (PII)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2010-08-23
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National Preparedness: DHS and HHS Can Further Strengthen Coordination for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Assessments, Report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"The anthrax attacks of 2001 and more recent national reports have raised concerns that the United States is vulnerable to attacks with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents. Because of the potential consequences of such attacks, members of Congress have expressed the need for the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate in assessing risks posed by CBRN agents. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine how DHS and HHS coordinate on the development of CBRN risk assessments and the extent to which they have institutionalized such efforts. GAO examined relevant laws, presidential directives, collaboration best practices, and internal control standards; analyzed DHS and HHS CBRN risk assessments; and interviewed DHS and HHS officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-06
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Expanding the Incident Command System in the Lubbock Fire Department
"The Lubbock Fire Department (LFD) has operated under a modified Incident Command System (ICS) for the last 10 years. The problem was the system had never been expanded beyond the basic functions of Incident Command and Operations. The purpose of this applied research project was to evaluate the current ICS and develop a strategy for expanding the current system. The current system was compared with Incident Command Systems of fire departments that had successfully expanded their system at catastrophic events. Evaluation methodology was used to answer the following questions: 1. What are some of the problems with the current Lubbock Fire Department Incident Command System? 2. What are the current types of Incident Command Systems utilized by fire departments that have successfully dealt with catastrophic incidents? 3. What are the critical components needed to expand an ICS when major disasters strike? 4. How can the Lubbock Fire Department effectively expand its ICS at high-risk, low frequency disasters? The literature review examined books, journals and technical reports relating to Incident Management Systems. The incident command systems of five fire departments, which had experienced catastrophic emergencies, were compared with the Lubbock Fire Department's ICS. Procedures included listing the strengths and weaknesses of all six departments and developing a strategy to overcome the weaknesses in the current systems. The results of the literature review identified seven critical components of an effective incident command system. Strategies were developed to address the weak components of the LFD ICS."
National Fire Academy
Cooper, Rhea
2001-12
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Developing a Company Inspection Program for the D/FW International Airport Department of Public Safety
"This research project analyzed the issue of developing a company inspection program for the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Department of Public Safety (DFW/DPS). The problem was that the current and projected growth for the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) has necessitated additional inspections for the airport community. The department's Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) cannot continue to conduct the number of required inspections with the current staff. The purpose of this research project was to develop a company inspection program for the DFW/DPS Fire Service. This research employed both historical, descriptive and action research methodology (a) to identify a company inspection program, (b) to determine the need for a company inspection program, (c) to identify the advantages of having a company inspection program, and (d) to develop guidelines for implementation of a company inspection program. The principal procedure employed was to review company inspection programs used by area agencies (August, 2001). Additional information was gathered from literary sources as a basis of developing the company inspection program. The major result of this research was the development of a company inspection program for the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Department of Public Safety. The recommendations resulting from this research included (a) to develop and implement a company inspection program for the D/FW Airport Fire Service, (b) to provide the proper training for members of the department's fire service on the use of this program, and (c) to implement the program in a fair and consistent manner."
National Fire Academy
DeLane, Joseph A.
2001-10
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Use of Unidirectional Social Media Applications Communications and Outreach
"Unidirectional social media applications encompass a range of applications, often referred to as applets or widgets, that allow users to view relevant, real-time content from predetermined sources. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) intends to use unidirectional social media tools including desktop widgets, mobile apps, podcasts, audio and video streams, Short Message Service (SMS) texting, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, among others, for external relations (communications and outreach) and to disseminate timely content to the public about DHS initiatives, public safety, and other official activities and one-way notifications. These dynamic communication tools broaden the Department's ability to disseminate content and provide the public multiple channels to receive and view content. The public will continue to have the option of obtaining comparable content and services through the Department's official websites and other official means. This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) analyzes the Department's use of unidirectional social media applications. This PIA does not cover users sending content to the Department. Additionally, this PIA will describe the personally identifiable information (PII) and the extremely limited circumstances that the Department will have access to PII, how it will use the PII, what PII is retained and shared, and how individuals can gain access to their PII. Appendix A of this PIA will serve as a listing, to be updated periodically, of DHS unidirectional social media applications, approved by the Chief Privacy Officer, that follow the requirements and analytical understanding outlined in this PIA. The unidirectional social media applications listed in Appendix A are subject to Privacy Compliance Reviews by the DHS Privacy Office."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2011-03-08
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Medical Credentials Management System
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA) is instituting a centralized medical credentialing system for DHS employees that provide health care services as part of their job and the Components' mission or incidental to their ongoing operations. The purpose of the program is to formalize a process for verifying DHS employee (applicant) qualifications, licensure information, and relevant health care provider data. In accordance with the DHS Directive 248-01, Medical Quality Management, the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer (ASHA/CMO) is responsible for developing a centralized credentials management system for approving credentials for DHS employee medical care providers. The credentialing process will include the collection of and maintenance of information related to professional education, state license number(s), national registry certification, board certification, training and other pertinent information related to medical care practices. OHA conducted this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because the medical credentials management system will collect and maintain personally identifiable information (PII) on DHS medical care providers."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2011-02-10
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the DHS SharePoint and Collaboration Sites
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is developing SharePoint as a Service (SharePoint), which will be an enterprise offering available to all organizations within the Department. This platform will serve as an enterprise collaboration and communication solution, eliminating additional investments in duplicative collaborative technologies, leveraging economies of scale, and connecting separate organizations through the use of the same platform in an integrated environment. DHS is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because personally identifiable information (PII) may be collected and stored in the SharePoint environment. This PIA sets out the minimum standard for SharePoint privacy and security requirements; DHS components may build more detailed controls and technical enhancements into their respective sites."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2011-03-22
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Homeland Defense: Actions Needed to Improve DOD Planning and Coordination for Maritime Operations, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Recent events, such as the seaborne terrorist attack on Mumbai in 2008 and the pirate attack on the Quest in February 2011, highlight maritime threats to the United States. The maritime domain presents a range of potential security threats--including naval forces of adversary nations, piracy, and the use of vessels to smuggle people, drugs, and weapons--which could harm the United States and its interests. The Department of Defense (DOD) has also identified homeland defense as one of its highest priorities. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine the extent to which DOD has (1) planned to conduct maritime homeland defense operations, (2) identified and addressed capability gaps in maritime homeland defense, and (3) made progress with interagency partners, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, in addressing information sharing challenges related to maritime domain awareness. To conduct this work, GAO examined national and DOD guidance and interviewed officials from DOD, Joint Staff, combatant commands, the military services, and others."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-06
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Residential Fire Alarm Systems: The Verification and Response Dilemma
"Over the past decade, the Vineland, New Jersey, Fire Department, like most fire departments, has experienced a significant increase in the number of responses to automatic fire alarm systems, especially systems located in one and two family dwellings. Responses to residential alarm systems increased dramatically in late 1998, when the city council approved local amendments to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, one of which prohibited verification of residential fire alarms prior to notification of the fire department. The practical effect of this action was to eliminate the exception to immediate notification of the fire department from household fire warning equipment, found in chapter 2-4.9.2 of NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 1996 edition. Being a combination fire department, this increase in responses eventually began to take a toll on the department's volunteers, some of whose companies were responding to more than 400 incidents per year. As a result, the city administration began to reconsider the prohibition on alarm verification. They also began to explore other solutions to the problem, such as implementing some type of fines and/or penalties for repeat false and/or nuisance alarms. The senior staff of the fire department acknowledged that the growing number of alarm responses was a problem; however, they were opposed to allowing verification, since they felt that this may compromise public safety. It was their belief that all other avenues should be explored, and options exhausted, prior to permitting any verification of residential fire alarm systems."
National Fire Academy
Finley, Peter J., Jr.
2001-11
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Combating Terrorism: U.S. Government Strategies and Efforts to Deny Terrorists Safe Haven, Statement of Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, Managing Director, International Affairs and Trade, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management, Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives
From the opening statement of Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers: "My testimony today focuses on (1) U.S. national strategies related to addressing terrorist safe havens, (2) terrorist safe havens identified by the Department of State (State) and the threats emanating from these havens, and (3) the extent to which the U.S. government has identified efforts to deny terrorists safe havens. In our report, we found that U.S. national strategies emphasize the importance of denying safe haven to terrorists and that, since 2006, State has annually identified terrorist safe havens in its Country Reports on Terrorism. However, we also found that, although there are multiple reporting requirements, the U.S. government has not provided to Congress a comprehensive, government wide list of its efforts to address terrorist safe havens. We made recommendations to both State and the National Security Council to improve reporting on U.S. efforts to address terrorist safe havens. State agreed with the importance of comprehensive information regarding U.S. efforts to address terrorist safe havens, but did not agree that this information needs to be included in the Country Reports on Terrorism. The National Security Council reviewed the report but provided no comments on the recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Williams-Bridgers, Jacquelyn
2011-06-03
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Flood Insurance: Public Policy Goals Provide a Framework for Reform, Statement of Orice Williams Brown, Managing Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the opening statement of Orice Williams Brown:"The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been on Government Accountability Office's(GAO) high-risk list since 2006, when the program had to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to cover losses from the 2005 hurricanes. The outstanding debt is $17.8 billion as of June 2011. This sizeable debt, plus operational and management challenges that GAO has identified at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers NFIP, have combined to keep the program on the high-risk list. NFIP's need to borrow to cover claims in years of catastrophic flooding has raised concerns about the program's long-term financial solvency. This testimony (1) discusses ways to place NFIP on a sounder financial footing in light of public policy goals for federal involvement in natural catastrophe insurance and (2) highlights operational and management challenges at FEMA that affect the program. In preparing this statement, GAO relied on its past work on NFIP, including a June 2011 report on FEMA's management of NFIP, which focused on its planning, policies, processes, and systems. The management review included areas such as strategic and human capital planning, acquisition management, and intra-agency collaboration. GAO has made numerous recommendations aimed at improving financial controls, oversight of private insurers and contractors, and FEMA's management of NFIP. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) generally agreed with our recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Brown, Orice Williams
2011-06-23
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Secretary Rumsfeld Message to U.S. Forces, DoD Civilians [September 12, 2001]
From the statement of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld: "Great crises are marked by their memorable moments. At the height of peril to his own nation, Winston Churchill spoke of their finest hour. Yesterday, America and the cause of human freedom came under attack, and the first great crisis of America's 21st century was suddenly upon us. And we saw the memorable moments. Who will ever forget the display of national unity on the steps of the Capitol Building? People will long remember seeing and hearing the members of Congress spontaneously breaking out into 'God Bless America.' What a wonderful thing for the world to see, and what pride we can take in that moment. So, too, President Bush's address to the nation will live in memory. He spoke for all of us when he showed his compassion and concern but also noted a quiet, unyielding anger among the American people. He offered a clear-sighted view of what needs to be done to prepare for the future. As one of those working with him on his national security team, I can report that throughout the crisis, the president has been as commanding and impressive in person as he has been in his public addresses. As Americans, we can be proud of our president, our vice president and our leaders in Congress. But I'm speaking to you now a little more than 24 hours after yesterday's attack. I must add that one of the finest hours of this crisis was here at the Pentagon."
United States. Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
2001-09-12
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Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: Address to the Troops and All Department of Defense Personnel [September 12, 2001]
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stated: "Great crises are marked by their memorable moments. At the height of peril to his own nation, Winston Churchill spoke of 'their finest hour.' Yesterday, America and the cause of human freedom came under attack. And the first great crisis of America's 21st century was suddenly upon us. And we saw the memorable moments. Who will ever forget the display of national unity on the steps of the Capitol Building? People will long remember seeing and hearing members of Congress spontaneously breaking out into 'God Bless America.' What a wonderful thing for the world to see. What pride we can take in that moment. So too, President Bush's address to the nation will live in memory. He spoke for all of us when he showed his compassion and concern but also noted a 'quiet unyielding anger' among the American people. He offered a clear-sighted view of what needs to be done to prepare for the future. As one of those working with him on his national security team I can report that, throughout this crisis, the President has been as commanding and impressive in person as he has been in his public addresses."
United States. Department of Defense
2001-09-12
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Integrated Security Management System (ISMS)
"The Integrated Security Management System (ISMS) is a web-based case management tool designed to support the lifecycle of DHS [Department of Homeland Security] personnel security, administrative security, and classified visit management programs. Personnel security records maintained in ISMS include suitability and security clearance investigations which contain information related to background checks, investigations, and access determinations. For administrative security and classified visit management ISMS contains records associated with security container/document tracking, classified contract administration, and incoming and outgoing classified visitor tracking. The system is a DHS enterprise-wide application that replaced the Personnel Security Activities Management System, which was decommissioned on May 31, 2010."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2011-03-22
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FEMA Mitigation Best Practices: Heavy-Duty Safe Room Provides Tornado Relief for Homeowners, Pets
This document is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Best Practices Portfolio. The Best Practices Portfolio is a collection of true stories about people and communities who have experienced disasters, and what mitigation they used to survive, rebuild, and prepare for disasters. From the document: "When Karen and her husband built their retirement home in 2002, they were determined to build a protective safe room equipped with the necessary amenities and materials in the event of a devastating tornado. Instead of building the room inside their home like most people, they decided to construct it 20 feet away from the house, and build it large enough for their extended family. Karen and her husband based their safe room model on FEMA regulations and added a few additional measures of their own." This and other individual FEMA Best Practices documents are also combined in "Mitigation Best Practices: Public and Private Sector Best Practice Stories for All Activity/Project Types in All States and Territories Relating to All Hazards [August 10, 2011]," which can be accessed at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=683132]
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2005-06-17
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Rural Fire Problem in the United States
"This report summarizes the findings from an extensive analysis of the fire problem in rural areas of the U.S. While there are many similarities between fires in rural and non-rural areas, there are also many differences. Some of the differences, such as the higher incidence of heating fires in rural areas, point to issues that need to be considered when designing public education programs to reduce the number of fires and the deaths, injuries, and property loss associated with rural fires. For the purposes of this report, 'rural' is defined as all counties that have populations of fewer than 20,000 persons and that are generally not adjacent to metropolitan areas."
United States Fire Administration
1997-08
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Private Sector Resources Catalog 2.0
"DHS [Department of Homeland Security] developed this catalog to better facilitate your organization's access to the resources you need to help keep our country secure. Initially released in May 2010, this catalog was the first to be targeted specifically towards private sector partners and to truly encompass all of DHS. This document collects the training, publications, guidance, alerts, newsletters, programs, and services available to the private sector from across the department. It is organized by component and resource type and a comprehensive index is available to facilitate locating resources. Additionally, contact information across the department is available in Appendix A. In order to fully capture the broad array of available resources as well as the continually evolving work of the department, we are now releasing this first update of the catalog."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2010-11
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Managing the Threat: An Introduction to Surveillance Detection
"Pre-operational surveillance is a critical component for every terrorist or criminal attack. Given that the purpose of hostile surveillance is to observe, analyze security measures, patterns, and vulnerabilities of a potential target, surveillance can be the most visible step in the attack planning process. Therefore, surveillance involves the most risk for attackers. Surveillance detection programs are designed to exploit these risks by creating a mechanism to detect pre-operational surveillance, report sightings, and disrupt an attack. This report identifies attacker vulnerabilities during pre-operational surveillance and then focuses on how a surveillance detection program can exploit those vulnerabilities. The full program outlined in this report may not be conducive to all organizations. Parts of the program can be extracted and suited to the needs of each organization's security plan. Before developing a surveillance detection program, organizations should ensure that their program will be in legal accordance with host country laws."
Overseas Schools Advisory Council (U.S.)
2010-05-12
