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President' Letter November 2007

The 34th Annual AESA Conference in June brought things to light with the spirit of "If not us, then who". Networking at all levels will be the key to success as we progress into the NIMS environment of common operation and response. Public-Private partnerships are a must for continuity of operations and assembling some sense of continuity of government during and after catastrophic events. As we review and update plans, it is essential to keep in mind the historical response events that mother nature brings upon us (the monsoons of yesteryear may be back!), accidents involving hazardous materials and tying in the new challenges: Rapid population growth, increase in transportation and storage of dangerous substances, increase in demand for utilities and hospitals, terrorism, and pandemic potential.

For those who have been fortunate enough to be involved with the FEMA required All-Hazard Mitigation Plans, the experience of working with historical damage data and the potential for repeat events is invaluable. These are the known events that have occurred right in your own backyard and have a very high probability of re-occurring. We must address our gaps to respond to these events as the very baseline of preparedness/planning, response, recovery and mitigation. To ignore these core essentials will have a direct impact on our abilities to reduce the loss of life and property during repeat or new events. While this seems to be a "no-brainer", these basics get somewhat lost in the chase for the dollar when grants are flying. It seems when the grant availability calms down, we begin to look again at the core issues, our gaps, networking and improving our mutual aid capabilities to respond in unison.

How can we assist our own citizens after an event that leaves them devastated - without shelter, food and clothing - the bare essentials? Government in Arizona is currently limited in what they can legally provide citizens. Just how strong are relationships between government agencies and the volunteer organizations that can offer help to the residents, and how can the public-private partnerships enhance and improve these capabilities? We respond and help people in other countries and other states, how can we improve this ability right here in Arizona? After all, this is our backyard, this is our homeland.

So back to core planning - what is it we really need to do? Then, how can we secure the essential funding to do it? Rather than, let's chase the grants, then figure out how we can spend them.

No doubt there will be changes within and amongst Homeland Security, FEMA, CDC and some of the other heavy hitters that will affect various funding streams for all of us. The changes will affect how various state agencies operate and commingle, thus affecting county and local agencies - we must not lose site of our ultimate goals..........reduction in the loss of life and property......and on a humbler note, helping those less fortunate.