OpenHomelandSecurity Ideas

HAZUS-MH, a multi-hazard risk assessment software tool from FEMA, should be open-sourced. Improvements in usability, GIS integration, reports, and in some cases scientific modeling can be achieved by opening the source code while still maintaining an authoritative version for grant-funded programs like HMGP.

 

(See an academic editorial regarding Open HAZUS at http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000022)

Delivering Integrated EMI training to the public health workforce – a simple fix

States and organizations responsible for maintaining records for required Emergency Management Institute (EMI) courses report that they are spending approximately a quarter of a million dollars annually to manually integrate completion information into TRAIN (https://www.train.org), which serves over 50% of the public health workforce... more »

Despite the fact we are important stakeholders within the agency, FEMA Disaster Assistance Employees don't seem to have a place where they can share ideas or concerns.

Most employees know they are going to report to work every day. Reservists however have to wait for a deployment request. Since deployment decisions are made by cadre managers it is not likely that many DAEs will feel free to share issues or concerns.... more »

No one knows about this site. If DHS is encouraging participation and collaboration with the stakeholders and the public why don't they publicize this site and cite what actions have been taken in response to suggestions?

 

I have been a FEMA DAE for 18 months and only stumbled upon this website by accident.

No one knows about this website. Just look at the dates for the other postings. If DHS were serious about public participation and collaboration they would promote this site at least every quarter. I have been a FEMA DAE for almost 18 months and only discovered this website by accident.

And DAEs have no opportunity to share ideas or concerns. Since their ability to be deployed depends entirely on their cadre manager,... more »