Open Source Homeland

The media loves these kinds of “silly-thing-was-important” stories, but mass text messaging from an emergency can serve a huge purpose in recovery effort (”careful– there’s gas leaks everywhere, “there’s a pocket of air in the bulkhead”, “approach fromthe left”, etc.)

OMG: Text messaging an important part of response - Yahoo News
Snodgrass was one of the last people off the plane. He told The Herald of Rock Hill that he called his wife as he stood in shin-deep water on the wing, waiting to be rescued. She was distraught, watching television and fearing the worst after getting that text message, but all was well.

Great program:

Beyond Duct Tape and Color Codes
Since 9/11, the federal government has communicated with the public about homeland security in confusing and often inconsistent ways, from requests to purchase duct tape to color-coded threat levels. A new administration will offer the opportunity for a change in direction. Rep. Jane Harman, chair of the Intelligence and Terrorism Risk Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee; Frances Fragos Townsend, former Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush; and Jerome Hauer, former Director of the Office of Emergency Management in New York City, will address the critical question of how the public can better be incorporated into the homeland security mission. The Homeland Security Presidential Transition Initiative is a joint project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund and Third Way.

At 10 a.m. on November 13, join millions of Southern Californians in the ShakeOut Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history!

The Great Southern California ShakeOut includes the ShakeOut Drill and other events organized to inspire southern Californians to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.

The Great Southern California ShakeOut

It’s odd to see the classification methods in these alert systems — neighborhood, hotels, financial.  My AlertSF - Home

I’m not sure what it is, but there’s obviously something very fishy about what’s going on with this story. The entire story is written in the “my story went to press before I could get confirmation on a whole bunch of facts that I am trying to telegraph to you, but failing, because it’s complicated and I can’t get enough of the context out of my sources” style.

Congress Probes Emergency Network - TIME
The winning D block bidder, in exchange for use of the public safety spectrum, would build the network and make a profit by selling access to wireless service providers. But about two weeks before the auction was to begin, Frontline announced it was “closed for business.” No other bidders emerged to pledge the minimum $1.33 billion needed to win the public safety block.

The FCC has opened an investigation into a claim that OBriens involvement as adviser for the public safety trust discouraged bidders from participating. OBrien has denied the allegations. Frontline says it did not bid because it couldnt raise the money. If the FCC wants to make the public-private emergency network plan work, it will have to devise a new plan that would be attractive to a deep-pocketed investor.