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Re-Packaging Preparedness Messaging By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed Three days’ preparedness was, and still is, considered reasonable for most disasters we may endure, be it flood, fire, storm or even minor earthquakes. Even in a just - in - time society, it remains a manageable goal for most people. One finding from the Cascadia Rising exercise by the state emergency management directors of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington is that the traditional 3-days disaster preparedness message was insufficient following a catastrophic quake. Such an event might well require that citizens be self-sustaining for at least two weeks. A [...]

2017-2021: The Road Ahead By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed A new Administration through budget and policy initiatives will soon impact emergency management and homeland security priorities. We must consider what we can support, and how best to oppose and amend what we regard as unwise or unjust. It is emergency management’s responsibility: we are the nation’s subject matter experts. Emergency managers, current and future, and those charged with preparing them for the challenges to our profession that lie ahead are in a holding pattern as this is written. We know little about how FEMA will be managed in [...]

The Difference Between “Good” and “Great” By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed A reporter recently asked me this question: With all the information that is available to government officials about seismic vulnerabilities, why is very little ever done about it? The answer to the reporter’s very legitimate question is the difference between having good leadership and great leadership in government. The governors and mayors I served were all “good” leaders (and good persons) who cared about doing their jobs effectively for their constituents. Very few were “great” leaders who supported looking “around corners” for the next crisis before it [...]

So, About Earthquakes By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed You may have noticed the Lifelock identity theft TV commercials. In one, a uniformed man is stationed in a bank, when armed men order everyone to the floor. Alarmed customers implore him to “do something!” His response is “oh, I’m not a guard, I’m a monitor. I am supposed to tell you when there’s a robbery.” (Pause) “There’s a robbery,” he announces. Another commercial for that company depicts an unfortunate individual in a dentist’s chair while two dental “monitors” advise him that he has a really bad cavity: alas, they [...]

Reconciliation versus Resistance: Which Will Win? - By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed After this year’s national election, a sizable portion of our population will feel devastated and perhaps even betrayed. When Kennedy defeated Nixon in 1960 (my earliest clear recollection) and in the years since, if your candidate lost there was always the realization that the sun would still rise, the country would somehow survive and that the system was stronger than an individual election cycle. The sense of loss ultimately faded. This time, this year feels different: some of our fellow citizens may conclude that something intrinsic [...]

On Hearing Without Listening By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed “Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest…” Paul Simon Elected officials in our state have ignored repeated warnings, suppressed ambitious but necessary proposals, and essentially wagered the long range future of our state in the hope that minimalist support for emergency management will be “just enough” attention to the threat an earthquake poses. Awhile back a shortstop in major league baseball named David Eckstein earned the nickname “Just Enough”. The nickname was a compliment from his peers. He possessed a weak throwing arm [...]

Then and Now By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed The 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is this month. The terrorist attack on the Pentagon, and the Twin Towers was shocking, and the anthrax attacks thoroughly spooked the national media and Congress. Concern over natural hazard risks receded, super-ceded by a relentless spending frenzy to combat terrorism. Mistakes were made. What will happen next time? THEN A false narrative peddled by the federal Administration impugned local and state emergency management professionals and their capabilities. This view allowed the bypassing of existing (and mostly effective) emergency management protocols in favor [...]

“What If” - Some Thoughts for Late Summer By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed Both major political parties have settled upon their respective presidential tickets. It seems reasonable to gauge the impact that a victory for either major party candidate might have on homeland security and emergency management disciplines. Homeland Security may prove to be a key “voting issue” in this election. Do not expect Emergency Management issues to be elevated for discussion unless a major natural disaster (a’ la’ “Sandy” in 2012) occurs during the general election. Political debate on homeland security issues is not likely to be [...]

Efficiency vs. Effectiveness By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed Director Linda Crerar of the Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) program has been after me to discuss what policy issues should be part of the Bachelor’s in Arts and Sciences (BAS) degree that will soon be offered. I’ve resisted to date, but in this offering I have decided to take the plunge and suggest one area where some attention should be focused. In my early years in Seattle, as the Director of Emergency Management, the Mayor, Norm Rice delivered an address (if memory serves, to the National Press Club) that [...]

On Seismic Neglect By Jim Mullen Emergency Management, Once Removed Sunday May 15 the Seattle Times (“Seismic Neglect” seattletimes.com) began a series that critiques the lack of leadership with respect to addressing the seismic risk of Washington State, and in particular that Seattle faces. The report provides examples of buildings that are at risk, describes the financial challenges building owners face, and delves into the web of inaction that is itself an abrogation of the responsibilities of government, and a threat to the safety of the public. Is it possible that the final legacy of these dangerous structures will be [...]