Center’s Blog
Use this page to stay up-to-date on COVID-19, homeland security emergency management, campus safety, job resources, career pathways, upcoming webinars, scholarships, Washington State news and more.
A FEW THOUGHTS
"A FEW THOUGHTS" ( I'm BA-AA-CK!) By Jim Mullen One lesson, above all others, should be learned, and applied, by elected officials in nearly every jurisdiction in the nation in the wake of the devastating flash flood in Kerr County, Texas and surrounding counties. Midst the offering of heartfelt condolences, [...]
AFTER THE DISASTER–HAZARD AWARENESS
"AFTER THE DISASTER -- HAZARD AWARENESS" By Nancy Aird and Jim Mullen As the deadly results from the Texas Hill Country Catastrophic Floods grow, questions of fault will multiply on who had responsibility to warn local inhabitants of the danger. As is the case in most emergencies, emergency management [...]
JIM’S “FINAL WARNING”
"JIM'S "FINAL WARNING"" By Jim Mullen Comedian Alan King punctuated his career with a televised comedy special called “ A Final Warning!” In that spirit, since this could well be my final blog entry, I offer the following admonitions to Emergency Management Directors/Supervisors: 1) Emergency management is a profession, not [...]
A Full Circle
"A Full Circle" By Jim Mullen A Full Circle NOTE: An excerpt from my September 25, 2004, speech to the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) as a new state director: a different yet eerily similar time, it seems applicable once again as FEMA endures an overhaul of its [...]
A Note to Readers of Emergency Management Once Removed
"A Note to Readers of Emergency Management Once Removed:" By Jim Mullen The Center of Excellence for Homeland Security and Emergency Management , host of “Emergency Management Once Removed” for nearly a decade, faces an uncertain future. I must thank the Center’s Linda Crerar, Kelli Hale, Jasmine May [...]
IS THIS A CHAINSAW I SEE BEFORE ME?
"IS THIS A CHAINSAW I SEE BEFORE ME?" By Jim Mullen A serious policy review to improve the nation’s disaster system should include a holistic analysis of the nation’s emergency management strengths and weaknesses. That isn’t what’s happening. The “FEMA Review Council’s” actual assignment seems limited to reducing [...]
EXPERIENCE VERUS YOUTH: A CAUTION
"EXPERIENCE VERUS YOUTH: A CAUTION" By Jim Mullen Older people, yes, like me, often marvel at the intelligence, energy and technological expertise that new hires bring to emergency management. Being “experienced” doesn’t mean one has all the answers; nor does being “smart, energetic and ambitious” guarantee a rapid [...]
CHILDREN OF A COMMON MOTHER
"CHILDREN OF A COMMON MOTHER" * By Jim Mullen Though I am an American citizen, from 1959-1968 my legal residence was Vancouver, and later, New Westminster, British Columbia. After President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Canada’s Prime Minister asked residents in Vancouver to turn on their porch lights at [...]
Whither FEMA? Whither Emergency Management?
Whither FEMA? Whither Emergency Management? By Jim Mullen FEMA is about to experience a radical reassessment of its mission, or even its reason to exist. Such a review is the prerogative of any incoming administration. It would serve the nation best if the professional emergency management community, as politically [...]
Two “Modest” Proposals
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ONCE REMOVED Two "Modest" Proposals By Jim Mullen As the Trump administration searches for greater efficiencies in “discretionary” funding, local and state governments must, of necessity, “step up” and invest more substantially in programmatic disaster mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. Happily, there are cost-effective measures could help [...]
Light a Candle or …
Light a Candle or ... By Jim Mullen "Much of the strength and efficiency of any government in procuring and securing happiness to the people depends ... on the general opinion of the goodness of government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors." (Benjamin [...]
Mutual Aid in Times of Disaster: Navigating EMAC in Emergency Management
Mutual Aid in Times of Disaster: Navigating EMAC in Emergency Management By Jim Mullen Credit Note: the bulk of the information below is taken from the National Emergency Management Association. Note: The outpouring of mutual aid support to California’s wildfires, as well as North Carolina and Georgia and [...]
BUILDING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF: A REFLECTION
BUILDING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF: A REFLECTION By Jim Mullen By 2001, numerous national experts had cited Seattle’s emergency management team as one of the more creative and successful units in the country. A national conference invited me to present my concept of the ideal level of expertise, training [...]
Political Hokey Pokey: Navigating Politics in Emergency Management
Political Hokey Pokey: Navigating Politics in Emergency Management By Jim Mullen In a world where politics can often feel like a chaotic game of “hokey pokey,” it’s vital to remember that emergency management is about serving all communities in times of crisis—regardless of political or social affiliation. We all [...]
Now What?
Now What? By Jim Mullen As climate change impacts and political challenges grow, local and state governments must focus on building resilience. This article highlights the critical role of emergency management in preparing for future disasters. The federal election is over. A new Administration will assume the reins on [...]
Disaster Exercise Scenario “Injects” – What Might Stretch Credulity?
Disaster Exercise Scenario “Injects” - What Might Stretch Credulity? Emergency Management Once Removed By Jim Mullen Somewhere, or in many “somewhere” in the United States, diligent emergency management professionals are designing disaster exercises. Some will be tabletops; some full field exercises; some a mix of tabletop/field activity. Some will [...]
On Resilience – What Is It? Why Are We Talking About It?
On Resilience – What Is It? Why Are We Talking About It? Emergency Management Once Removed October 4, 2024 By Jim Mullen Some people have difficulty discerning what disaster resilience means. Admittedly, it’s an amorphous concept because it does not carry the aura of a “final solution” – and [...]
Women in Leadership Symposium 2025
This year's symposium will center around the importance of fostering robust and dynamic relationships and partnerships with women in all-hazard fields
A Word About Disaster Preparedness
The non-partisan federal Government Accountability Office (GAO ) is entrusted with responsibility “to investigate and oversee the activities of the executive branch, to control the use of federal funds….” Housed within GAO, the Center for Strategic Foresight analyzes trends that will likely impact the federal government and society in the next 5-15 years.
Zombie Fires
Zombie Fires By Nancy Aird Zombie fires are wildland fires that return from the dead. Logically, we think that rain and snow in winter will put out the last sparks of a fire however, zombie, holdover or overwintering fires never fully extinguish. Instead, they smolder underground, hiding under a root [...]
Find Your Superpower
Find Your Superpower By Nancy Aird Did your college dreams get stopped by life experiences, financial hardships, learning challenges, COVID shutdown, or caring for children and family members? You are not alone. Since fall of 2019, 2.6 million students started their college careers. 39 million Americans have some [...]
Strengthening Law Enforcement – Taking a “Third” Side
The non-partisan federal Government Accountability Office (GAO ) is entrusted with responsibility “to investigate and oversee the activities of the executive branch, to control the use of federal funds….” Housed within GAO, the Center for Strategic Foresight analyzes trends that will likely impact the federal government and society in the next 5-15 years.
Campus Safety in this challenging day and age
Campus Safety in this challenging day and age - What your college is doing about Campus Safety? By Josh Brown – Pierce College District Director of Emergency Preparedness and Campus Safety August 23, 2024 The Pacific Northwest has one of the most diverse college communities, cultures, and potential [...]
Women in Leadership 2025
We are thrilled to announce the Women in Leadership Symposium 2025, hosted by the Center of Excellence - Homeland Security Emergency Management, will be held at Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA.
Year of Resilience 2024
Year of Resilience 2024 By Linda Crerar In 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) introduced the Whole Community Emergency Management Strategy to coordinate all levels of government, increase individual preparedness, and engage with members of the as vital partners to strengthen resiliency and security in this country. [...]