U.S. Not Respectful of Terrorism Risk
Kansas City, Kan. - The U.S. has become complacent since 9/11 and lacks a healthy respect for the risk of terrorism, according to Gordon Graham, at the 56th International Association of Emergency Managers Conference on Nov. 18, 2008.Graham, a 33-year veteran of law enforcement, an attorney and an internationally recognized authority on risk management, cited recent attempts by homegrown al Qaeda cells. One group aimed to kill members of the U.S. military at Fort Dix, N.J., by way of pizza delivery. Another group had job applications for police departments in Oakland, Calif., and Philadelphia.
"You [must] have a healthy respect for the dangers you face," Graham said. "We're not respectful of risk; we've fallen into complacency with regard to terrorism."
Graham suggested testing employees daily. He said employees should know their critical roles before a disaster. "When a disaster occurs, most don't know [their core roles] until after the fact," he said. "Training has to be constant and rigorous. Every day is a training day."
- Jim McKay, Justice and Public Safety Editor
GIS Tracks West Nile Virus
Valdosta, Ga. - Mayors and other local officials learned how to eradicate mosquitoes and track West Nile virus during a session at the 2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition in November. John Whitehead, Valdosta deputy city manager of operations, was on hand to discuss the city's Mosquito Population Control Program.The program records data from about 35 mosquito traps within city limits. Students from Valdosta State University collect the mosquitoes each week to count, type and test them for West Nile virus. The data is then entered into a GIS tool that directs Whitehead where to spray for mosquitoes.
The entire city used to be sprayed until 2001 when a local child contracted the virus, which drove the creation of the GIS tool. Now, spraying only targeted areas saves the city roughly $70,000 annually. The GIS and spraying program currently costs $30,000 per year. Reductions in labor, overtime pay, and chemical and vehicle expenses produced the savings, said Whitehead.
- Andy Opsahl, Features Editor
Govtech.com Hot List
Here are the 10 most popular stories on Govtech.com from Nov. 7, 2008 to Dec. 7, 2008.1. Site Reveals Salaries of New York State Employees
Conservative think tank launches Web site with comprehensive state financial data.
2. Top 10 Secrets of Earned Value Management
A principles-oriented methodology for planning and executing projects successfully.
3. Enterprise Architecture Demystified
What is enterprise architecture and who is it intended to benefit?
4. Obama Presidency May Quickly Impact State and Local Governments
Large public works projects and federal backing for state and local bonds could be early priorities.
5. State Workers Protest Salary Database Publication
Sacramento newspaper publishes salary information on California state workers.
6. Obama and McCain Campaign Systems Hacked by Foreign Party
Numerous files were stolen from the 2008 presidential campaigns.
7. 2008 Digital Cities Winners Announced
Aurora, Colo; Lincoln, Neb.;Roanoke and Lynchburg Va, win.
8. $3 Billion in DHS Preparedness Grant Programs
FEMA releases application guidance for 14 federal grant programs.
9. Obama to Tape Weekly YouTube Address
President-elect will also add Q&As and video interviews to Change.gov Web site.
10. 47 Applications in 30 Days for $50K
Washington, D.C., releases results of Applications for Democracy contest.
