Interviews

Thomas J. Lockwood, Senior Advisor, DHS Office of Screening Coordination How does the department manage, and reconcile, the complex and politically difficult task of identification security with privacy needs, site-access requirements, and the National Incident Management System process? read

Dennis R. Schrader, Deputy Administrator, National Preparedness, FEMA The new DHS "All Hazards" leader shares his views on the funding and operations of Incident Management Assistance Teams, Emergency Operations Centers, and other components of today's "forward leaning" Federal Emergency Management Agency. read

Ellen Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs The political dividing line is scrupulously followed, but the Department of Defense plays a key role, particularly in health care, in U.S. homeland-security plans and operations. read

Glenn Cannon, Assistant Administrator for Disaster Operations, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) His views on the post-Katrina reorganization mandated by Congress, his directorate's working relationships with other FEMA branches, and the challenge of coping with both "notice" and "no-notice" disasters and emergencies. read

Sir Ken Knight, Commissioner for the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Among the topics discussed: Key differences between the U.S. and U.K. consequence-management philosophies; the resilience of the U.K.'s system (and citizens); resource allocations; and the role of "the voluntary sector." read

Joseph Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services, American Red Cross The ARC's new operational framework for the Age of Terrorism. National Preparedness Month. Working relationships with local and state agencies. Pet sheltering, the national shelter data system, and the ARC blood program. read

Rear Admiral David P. Pekoske, USCG, and Rear Admiral Brian M. Salerno, USCG Their views on current and future maritime-security operations, the USCG's relationships with other agencies, new security standards being considered, and the service's interface with the Navy, CBP, and various port stakeholders. read

James Lee Witt, CEO, James Lee Witt Associates The former FEMA administrator discusses the agency's reorganization process, the proposed establishment of a national catastrophic-insurance fund, FEMA's working relationship with the ARC, and the rationale for upgrading the agency to cabinet-level. read

Judith Miller, Author & Journalist The Pulitzer Prize winner's knowledgeable appraisal of how two of the nation's largest metropolitan police departments - in New York City and Los Angeles - are coping with the unique and steadily growing threats posed by international terrorism. read

Dr. Robert P. Kadlec, Director, Biodefense and Public Health Practice, PTRM Management Consultants His knowledgeable views on the Pandemic and All-Hazard Preparedness Act, BARDA, PHEMCE, ASPR authorities and responsibilities, and the challenges the biodefense market presents for the pharmaceutical industry. read

Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief National Guard Bureau His views on, among other mission-critical topics, the Guard's overseas deployments, organizational priorities, equipment requirements, Operation Jump Start, & the need to meet increasing commitments with the same or reduced resources. read

Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, Executive Director, Association of State And Territorial Health Officers, ASTHO His educated views on the "four essential components" of an effective public-health system, the need to integrate public-health preparedness responsibilities & resources, and the viability of the "one workforce" approach to public health. read

John F. Clark, Director, U.S. Marshals Service Clark's views on the security improvements already achieved, and the areas in which a greater effort is needed. Also discussed: The USMS's Special Operations and Technical Operations Groups, and the support provided to state and local L-E agencies. read

George C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, Executive Director, American Public Health Association (APHA) The APHA leader's authoritative views on bioterrorism preparedness, the new challenges facing public-health officials in planning to cope with mass-casualty situations, the quarantine and isolation processes, & the threat posed by a pandemic influenza. read

Captain Michael B. Anderson, MMRS National Progam Manager An in-depth focus on how the MMRS is carrying out the missions assigned under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8, what changes have been made, where additional focus is needed, and how state and local agencies are affected. read

more...