Long-term challenges require long-term solutions.
Solutions to many of the management challenges facing our government will likely take years of work and dedication. To that end, we urge the appointment of a Chief Management Officer (CMO) in federal agencies, a proven professional with a track record of success in transforming the core management functions of an organization, including human resources, information technology, and financial management. The CMO will be charged with looking five years down the road to understand what management challenges loom and to ensure that plans are developed and implemented to meet those challenges.
Comments
We may benefit as well from incorporating some of the business world's structured approach to managing a business. I am speaking about the world wide standards that are in use by most of our nation's businesses and recognized globally as tools to assist in developing and implenting management systems. Such standards as the International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 and 14000 series for quality and environmental solutions and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18000 series for solutions for health and safety. These standards address the implementation of a management systemt which would allow for all sections of an organization's function from the top to the bottom of the structure.
Utilization of a management system like this is foreign to the emergency response industry. However, I see a temendous opportunity to not only help us in our day to day operations but an enormous potential benefit to our ability to develop and establish long term goals and be able to measure their success and/or failure.
We typically do not recognize the untapped potential of adopting these standards. We should definitely do some introspect here and assess our ability to improve ourselves.
Posted by: Tommy Erickson | August 24, 2006 10:15 PM
The suggestion of CMOs is great, but only for the management challenges. We need more than better managers. Managers need clear authority, funding to back up their directives, and a system that enables them to activate operations immediately.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 26, 2006 11:16 AM
We need more training and grant funding to enable our responders - and managers - to prepare.
Posted by: Professional Firefighter | August 26, 2006 11:42 AM
Agreed that training is a key. However, unless a system is set up to better subsidize this training, fire departments and other public service entities cannot afford the cost - in both dollars and personnel shortages.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 26, 2006 11:44 AM
Prevention and response can be enhanced with technology. There are many technologies out there - many in the hands of our military - that could be transferred to domestic homeland security applications. Invest in technology transfer now.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 26, 2006 11:47 AM
Utilizing new technologies can help. But, unless you are from a major metropolitan community with a multi-million dollar equipment budget, how can you afford it? We spend billions of dollars on bombs. Why don't we put some money out there for our communities...our first responders...our homeland security?
Posted by: Union Firefighter | August 26, 2006 12:10 PM