Richard
05-24-2009, 08:45
I feel so much safer already. :rolleyes:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
How Homeland Security Is Keeping You Safe
Parade.com, 24 May 2009
Earlier this month, Janet Napolitano submitted a $42.7 billion budget for the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2010. While the proposal "focuses on savings and reduction," the agency has launched several important new initaitives to increase our national security.
Many of these programs take advantage of everyday technology and common-sense collaboration. Here are 10 great examples:
Disaster Shelter System
Napolitano and new FEMA chief Craig Fugate have launched a new national shelter system that will help victims of hurricanes and other disasters find temporary housing. The system will create a nationwide database of thousands of places to go in an emergency. It includes a variety of housing options, including trailers.
Constant Updates
In a sign that they are keeping up with the times, DHS and FEMA now have their own Twitter pages. The agencies post important updates including travel alerts, security threats, weather warnings and other alerts.
Online Video Training
The U.S. Coast Guard, whose expanding role in national security is vital to several DHS objectives, now uses videos on YouTube to prepare, train and communicate with its agents across the country.
Southern Border Protection
The new DHS budget calls for an expansion of security forces at the U.S.-Mexico border, including five additional Coast Guard cutters, two patrol planes, 44 Border Patrol agents, 65 Customs and Border Protection officers, 349 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, analysts and investigators, 68 pilots, and 20 marine personnel.
Northern Border Protection
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires Americans and Canadians to present passports or other secure documents proving citizenship before crossing the U.S. border with Canada.
"This is a real border," Napolitano said. "The law is the law and it's not going to be postponed anymore."
Rails, Roads and Ports
While the new DHS budget allocates $1 billion to increasing airport security, nearly the same amount, $970 million, will go to protect our nation's ground-transportation infrastructure from explosive devices and other terrorist threats.
Reservations
DHS is now partnering with Native American officials to improve and expand joint-security operations at tribal reservations, especially those with high-profile hotels and casinos.
Bio-Weapons
The new DHS budget calls for $94.5 million to detect agents of biological warfare, including anthrax, smallpox, and plague attacks.
Cyber Security
As part of the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, the DHS has asked for $75.1 million to develop cyber security technologies to guard against growing threats to the nation's information infrastructure.
'Idea Factory'
The Transportation Security Administration has launched an “Idea Factory,” which is a social networking platform where TSA employees propose, discuss and vote on new security initiatives based on their experiences in the field.
http://www.parade.com/news/2009/05/10-ways-homeland-security-is-keeping-you-safe.html
Richard's $.02 :munchin
How Homeland Security Is Keeping You Safe
Parade.com, 24 May 2009
Earlier this month, Janet Napolitano submitted a $42.7 billion budget for the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2010. While the proposal "focuses on savings and reduction," the agency has launched several important new initaitives to increase our national security.
Many of these programs take advantage of everyday technology and common-sense collaboration. Here are 10 great examples:
Disaster Shelter System
Napolitano and new FEMA chief Craig Fugate have launched a new national shelter system that will help victims of hurricanes and other disasters find temporary housing. The system will create a nationwide database of thousands of places to go in an emergency. It includes a variety of housing options, including trailers.
Constant Updates
In a sign that they are keeping up with the times, DHS and FEMA now have their own Twitter pages. The agencies post important updates including travel alerts, security threats, weather warnings and other alerts.
Online Video Training
The U.S. Coast Guard, whose expanding role in national security is vital to several DHS objectives, now uses videos on YouTube to prepare, train and communicate with its agents across the country.
Southern Border Protection
The new DHS budget calls for an expansion of security forces at the U.S.-Mexico border, including five additional Coast Guard cutters, two patrol planes, 44 Border Patrol agents, 65 Customs and Border Protection officers, 349 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, analysts and investigators, 68 pilots, and 20 marine personnel.
Northern Border Protection
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires Americans and Canadians to present passports or other secure documents proving citizenship before crossing the U.S. border with Canada.
"This is a real border," Napolitano said. "The law is the law and it's not going to be postponed anymore."
Rails, Roads and Ports
While the new DHS budget allocates $1 billion to increasing airport security, nearly the same amount, $970 million, will go to protect our nation's ground-transportation infrastructure from explosive devices and other terrorist threats.
Reservations
DHS is now partnering with Native American officials to improve and expand joint-security operations at tribal reservations, especially those with high-profile hotels and casinos.
Bio-Weapons
The new DHS budget calls for $94.5 million to detect agents of biological warfare, including anthrax, smallpox, and plague attacks.
Cyber Security
As part of the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, the DHS has asked for $75.1 million to develop cyber security technologies to guard against growing threats to the nation's information infrastructure.
'Idea Factory'
The Transportation Security Administration has launched an “Idea Factory,” which is a social networking platform where TSA employees propose, discuss and vote on new security initiatives based on their experiences in the field.
http://www.parade.com/news/2009/05/10-ways-homeland-security-is-keeping-you-safe.html