Open Source Homeland

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick released a pretty extensive homeland security strategy for the state. Ill be vetting it over the next few days, The thing that caught my eye in a preliminary story was the idea below about the centrality of the state as the coordinating body (rather than Federal or local) in the event of an emergency.

I agree with that estimation, but the only problem with that is that state government tends to think of emergency response efforts narrowly in terms of official governmental entities. They need to consider, cull, and coordinate informal response as well.

Patrick report gives security tips - The Boston Globe
The report says the most important thing the state can do is improve communications between first responders and state and local officials. Undersecretary for Homeland Security Juliette Kayyem says that while local communities have learned lessons from the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, only the state can coordinate large-scale disaster management.

Download the complete Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Homeland Security Strategy report here. (PDF, 440KB, 31 pages)

 Apparently in the context of the Tactical Interoperability Communication Scorecards and the drive toward multi-jurisdictional and cross-disciplinary coordination of existing systems and future networks, San Francisco and Oakland announceed a promising program:

Inside Bay Area - SF, Oakland mayors announce new communications system
SAN FRANCISCO _ Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums was joined by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced the launch of a communications system they say would allow public agencies from cities around the Bay Area to effectively communicate in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake.

Officials billed the effort _ which, when completed, they say, will allow seamless radio communication _ as the “nations largest urban area collaboration.”

“Its unprecedented,” Dellums said.