Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Chicago Homeland Security Program Wasted 45 Million Dollars from Taxpayers

Project Shield was supposed to make citizens safer. But in the end, the $45-million Homeland Security program more resembled a disaster, wasting taxpayers’ dollars and failing to make a single citizen more secure.

The failed Cook County initiative was replete with equipment that failed to work, missing records and untrained first responders according to a report by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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Project Shield was supposed to make citizens safer, but the failed Cook County initiative was replete with equipment that failed to work, missing records and untrained first responders according to a report by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department

Investigators visited 15 municipalities between January and June last year and found “missing records, improper procurement practices, unallowable costs and unaccountable inventory items.”

Project Shield began under the administration of Cook County Board President John Stroger. The majority of the work, however, occurred during the term of his successor and son Todd Stroger.

Installations began in March 2005. By 2008, complaints of mismanagement and fraud were raised, led by then County Commissioners Tony Peraica, Forrest Claypool and Mike Quigley.

In 2009, Quigley, then a congressman (D-5th), asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate, saying, “We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars across the country on homeland security. If Project Shield is any indication, we are less safe.”

Sen. Mark Kirk, who was then a congressman, joined in, complaining to Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano that money had been completely wasted and the department inattentive.

“A Google search of $43-million wasted should come to your attention,” Kirk said at a 2010 congressional hearing.

Among the IG’s findings: Cameras in police cars malfunctioned during extreme hot and cold temperatures, there was a lack of training, and the camera systems were never adequately tested.
IBM was the initial contractor for the first two phases of Project Shield. Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls was brought in for Phase 3. According to the IG’s report, from beginning to end there were technical problems.

Fixed cameras mounted on poles also were problematic, according to the report. “These camera often targeted police parking lots, streets and intersections with questionable homeland security benefits,” investigators found. Fixed cameras were even placed in police station lobbies.

Almost from the beginning, some of the 128 suburbs opted out after technical snafus. And in the end the IG found “32 never had equipment, 9 left the program” and at the end, just “71 have vehicle video systems.”
The FBI, according to sources, investigated, but no charges have been filed.

The report takes FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to task for lack of oversight.
Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants were funneled from DHS to the State and on to Cook County. The report concludes, “FEMA did not adequately ensure that the State of Illinois effectively monitored Cook County’s expenditures...”

And questions remain. “Both FEMA and the State need to improve the review process and perform better oversight,” according to the IG, adding proposed actions to better monitor how funds are spent “remains unresolved and open.”

What is no longer operational is Project Shield. New County Board President Toni Preckwinkle ended the program last summer after a very troubled seven-year history.

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Emergency Smartphone Apps

The following is a list of several emergency management related apps available free for iPhone, Androids, Blackberry’s, etc....however; there are exceptions where nominal charges do exist.

-Android disaster preparedness apps, click here
-Blackberry smartphones, click here
-IPhones,  App store click here

Once on the respective App Store site, simply enter any of the App Names to confirm availability.

This list has been created from your inputs, presented in alphabetical order and is meant to be vendor neutral — and — while these apps, for the most part, depend on the internet being available in any disaster or disruptive event, and therefore, may not be accessible during a disaster, — use these apps primarily as the proactive learning and preparedness tools that they are meant to be.

Apps:

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Education Assistance: U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp

The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offers three excellent opportunities for students to serve their country while completing or continuing their education. If you are interested in a public health career, we encourage you to apply to the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) and/or the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP).. All three programs offer excellent benefits and are highly competitive. For more information or to find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on “Apply Now” to take the prescreen. COSTEP Applicants can apply for both programs.

JRCOSTEPSRCOSTEP USU School of Medicine NHSC
If you have questions about COSTEP please join our upcoming conference call on the following date and time (Eastern Standard):

December 29, 2011: 12 PM

NEW Call-in number: 866-705-5819
Passcode: 1633181


Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for an opportunity to meet leaders in public health, gain valuable professional experience, and be paid for your work while you complete your health-related education? Consider the JRCOSTEP. JRCOSTEP training and extern positions are available to students who have completed at least 1 year of study in a master's or doctoral program or at least 2 years of study in a professionally accredited baccalaureate program in specific health disciplines and meet other program requirements. In recent years most JRCOSTEPs are in a variety of fields such as environmental health, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, and dentistry. JRCOSTEP participants work in the same exciting Federal agencies and programs as full Commissioned Corps officers do. Typical assignments in locations throughout the country vary from 31 up to 120 days during official school breaks. Most JRCOSTEP participants are hired for the summer months (i.e., June, July, August). They are not obligated to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation, but may decide to serve an extended active-duty assignment after they complete their professional education. For more information or to find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on "Apply Now" to take the prescreen. Click on JRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on JRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Applicants for JRCOSTEP who currently are in the next-to-last year of their professional education also may apply for SRCOSTEP.

Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for financial assistance to complete your education for a public health career? Consider SRCOSTEP - available to full time students during their final year of academic study or professional training. The program of study must lead to the completion of the academic and professional requirements outlined on our website by professional discipline. Those selected for the program can receive pay and benefits of an active duty officer at the O-1 level for up to 12 months while completing their academic or professional training. Applications are accepted from all Commissioned Corps eligible areas of study, though clinical positions (e.g. nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants) are most often selected. In return for financial assistance, SRCOSTEP participants agree to work for the sponsoring agency as a Commissioned Corps Officer after graduation. The service obligation is equal to twice the time sponsored; that is, for 9 months of financial support, a SRCOSTEP participant commits to 18 months of employment with the division or organization that provided the support. Click on SRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on SRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information. To find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on "Apply Now" to take the prescreen. Candidates that are interested in applying for SRCOSTEP are encouraged to apply for JRCOSTEP (this can be done on the same application).

Application Due Dates for SRCOSTEP
For Students Graduating: SRCOSTEP Application Due Date:
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2011 September 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2012 September 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2013 September 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2014 September 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Commissioned Corps Officer Opportunities at the USU School of Medicine

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is a health science university run by the federal government, providing training to military physicians, nurses and educators. Currently, you can attend the USU F. Edward School of Medicine as a Public Health Service officer through one of two agencies, either the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

The NHSC Scholarship Program is a competitive federal program that awards scholarships to students in return for a commitment to provide care in underserved communities. The scholarships are available to students pursuing a degree in the following primary care health professions:
  • Allopathic medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Nurse practitioner specializing in adult, family, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatric, or women’s health, nurse-midwife
  • Osteopathic medicine
  • Physician assistant
Thank you for your interest in United States Public Health Service Student Programs through which you can serve your country while also completing your education and earning valuable work experience.

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