Washington Technology Center presents an SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Program for Technology Entrepreneurs seminar on October 31, 2008 at the University of Washington Bothell campus.
Online registration ends tomorrow! - click here
Starting in the early 1990s, Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton advocated a “balanced scorecard” translating an organization’s mission and existing business strategy into specific strategic objectives that could be linked in cause and effect relationships and measured operationally. The balanced scorecard stressed drivers of future organizational performance — capabilities, resources, and business processes - and the outcome results of those drivers. This article describes and illustrates the balanced scorecard as a tool to better implement homeland security strategies.
The Balanced Scorecard: A Strategic Tool in Implementing Homeland Security Strategies
Seven years after Sept. 11, and in the wake of many major natural disasters such as forest fires, hurricanes and flooding, nearly half of U.S. states either have no state-level emergency plan or do not provide it readily to the public, reveals a new study by George Mason University Communication Professor Carl Botan.
Read it here:
Nearly Half of U.S. States Fail on Emergency Plan Communication, New Study Shows
From the United Kingdom Cabinet Office and Department of Health:
From the report from the Trust for America’s Health:
“America is facing a health crisis. Even though America spends more than $2 trillion annually on health care — more than any other nation in the world — tens of millions of Americans suffer every day from preventable diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer that rob them of their health and quality of life. In addition, major vulnerabilities remain in our preparedness to respond to health emergencies, including bioterrorism, natural disasters, and emerging infectious diseases”
From the UN/ISDR and UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN/OCHA):
The HFA outlined five specific Priorities for Action:
Another frightening new government report is heightening fears about the safety of U.S. biodefense laboratories that study some of the world’s deadliest germs. The latest worry: Intruders could easily break into two of the labs due to lax security.
Read it here: High-Security Research Labs Not So High-Security, article by Larry Margasak.
Article by Rob Margetta in CQ Homeland Security: Lack of Campaign Focus on Homeland Security Could Leave Winner Unprepared
Learn more about the new program announced from Loma Linda University: The Emergency Preparedness and Response Certificate.
The certificate in emergency preparedness and response will provide students with knowledge and skills to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate domestic and international public health emergency response and recovery efforts
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging people who want to help disaster victims to make donations through voluntary organizations that are active in ongoing disaster operations.
From Save the Children
Ten Tips
Read more on each tip here:
Save the Children - How to Help Kids cope with Disaster: Ten Tips
“Preparedness efforts for the next influenza pandemic are on-going in nearly every country of the world. Here in the United States, every state has a plan for addressing a pandemic influenza event. Become familiar with your state’s plan and know who the pandemic influenza coordinators are in your community.”
Pandemic Influenza Storybook: Personal Recollections from Survivors, Families, and Friends
SEATTLE JOBS INITIATIVE GOES GREEN WITH HELP FROM NATIONAL GRANT
The Seattle Jobs Initiative is one of eight recipients of a 2008
Strategic Venture Fund Grant from the National Network of Sector
Partners. The Seattle nonprofit received $5,000 and will proceed with
work that grew out of the City of Seattle’s interest in the green
economy. Seattle Jobs Initiative will continue to explore the growing
green economy, its impact on jobs and career pathways, labor market
trends, and more.
SECURITIES REGULATOR PROVIDES TIPS TO PROTECT DISLOCATED WORKERS
A job layoff can lead to even more money woes when workers are
approached by companies offering faulty or even fraudulent financial
advice. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has
published a helpful brochure that walks dislocated workers through their
financial inventory, from 401(k)s to pension benefits , to how to handle
a sudden loss of income. As the largest non-governmental regulator for
all securities firms doing business in the U.S., FINRA oversees nearly
5,000 brokerage firms.
STRATEGIC FUND TARGETS REGIONAL INDUSTRY CLUSTER EFFORTS
As part of the Governor’s economic strategy, the Workforce Board will
soon be investing in regional industry cluster initiatives. Using
federal Workforce Investment Act dollars reserved by Gov. Chris
Gregoire, the board will award grants of up to $200,000 to Workforce
Development Councils and Associate Development Organizations who have
been pursuing the type of economic strategy that is described in more
detail in the Board’s Skills for the Next Washington report. The new
$850,000 grant fund is called the High Skills, High Wages Strategic
Fund.
More here: New High Skills, High Wages Strategic Fund
Editorial from the NY Times:
The homeland security mania has invited some startling abuses of police power, but we have yet to hear of any more knuckle-headed than one in Maryland. There, the State Police are sheepishly tracking down 53 innocent people to let them know they were entered as suspected terrorists on state and federal databases — for the Orwellian offense of engaging in peaceful protest.
Read the article here: Citizen Terrorists Deleted
Article in the Whittier Daily News:
Critical infrastructure consists of systems and assets so vital to the United States that their incapacity would harm the nation’s physical security, economic security, or public health. Critical infrastructure is often geographically concentrated, so it may be distinctly vulnerable to events like natural disasters, epidemics, and certain kinds of terrorist attacks.
Vulnerability of Concentrated Critical Infrastructure: Background and Policy Options
Article in CQ Homeland Security:
Making Mr. Secretary: Experts Weigh In on Skills Needed by the Next DHS Chief.
From the Congressional Research Service:
Federal Liability for Flood Damage Related to Army Corps of Engineers Projects (PDF)
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