National Response Plan: The Local Perspective

Katrina Reveals Lessons for First Responders

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotes the National Response Plan (NRP) as “a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents.” However, the federal, state and local response to Katrina should have every first responder asking serious questions.

Earlier articles in this series pointed out that it is more likely we will have to work through a major natural disaster than a human caused terrorist event. Although serious debriefing on the response to Katrina has yet to take place, we should use the event as impetus to explore the NRP. In essence, we should get ready in our own communities. The last two articles in this series on terrorism are directed at organizational responses to all hazards, including terrorism.

Read the complete article at National Response Plan

Suicide Terrorism & Bomb Security: The Israeli Perspective

Countering Suicide Bombers; Identifying Suspicious People and Activity;
Bomb Detection and First Response Guidelines
March 22-23, 2006
Holiday Inn BWI Airport Conference Center
890 Elkridge Landing Road
Baltimore, MD 21090
Registration: 7:30-8:30am (Day One only)
Program: 8:30am- 4:30pm

Objectives:
Deliver comprehensive information on the threat of suicide/homicide terrorism, identification of bombs and their components Identification of suicide bombers and guidelines on how to counter the threat. Provide participants with the tools necessary to prepare for these extreme situations, and possible courses of action.

Who Should Attend?
Federal, state and local counter-terrorism officers
Law Enforcement Officers
Emergency Responders
Public Works Officials
Critical Infrastructure Security Officers
Corporate Security Officers and Analysts

Topics Covered:
Introduction: Fundamental Islamic terror, Al Qaeda & the Global Jihad
Bombing & Suicide Terrorism: roots and trends
Identifying the components used in bombs
Characteristics of standard and improvised explosives
Weapon & explosive concealment detection
Suspicious objects – definition, detection and first response
Secondary devices and counter-measures
Suicide Bombing – Al Qaeda modus operandi
VBIED (Car bomb) - The threat, identification, inspection and first response
Identification of suicide terrorists
Tactical deployment to counter suicide bombing and mitigate it
Dealing with an armed suicide bomber
Terror incident management guidelines and tips
Prevention - the Israeli security concept

Instructor:
The workshop is based on Israeli experience and best practices and is taught by Mr. Tal Hanan, a reserve IDF captain in the Special Forces and renowned counter-terrorism trainer, specializing in the field of ex­plosives and suicide terrorism. Mr. Hanan is CEO of Demoman International, an international security consult­ing firm.

Mr. Hanan (http://www.suicide-terrorism.com) emphasizes in his classes lessons learned from suicide terror attacks that can be implemented by law enforcement and private security officers. He accompanies his presentations with inert models of bomb vests and components as well as the latest footage from incidents around the world.
Thousands of federal, state and local officers have benefited from Mr. Hanan’s experience and knowledge at his training workshops and presentations conducted throughout the US.
Registration Fee: (Includes morning coffee & donuts and lunch, both days)
Government: $395
Small Business: $495
Industry: $595
- Group Rates are Available
Special Room Rate: $149 per night, available until March 15, 2006

Go to www.suicide-terrorism.com to register.

Local Authors Sign with Publisher

San Dimas, CA (March 2, 2006). Using poker as analogy for leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), PhD and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources – people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, “You are dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success.”

On March 1, 2006, the authors signed a publishing contract with Quill Driver Books/Wood Dancer Press of Sanger, California. The book will go into production in early April and is anticipated to print in September. Harvey, whose previous book “The Call to Lead: How Ordinary People become Extraordinary Leaders,” said of the current work, “Learning to be a better leader is one of the most important things a person can do, because the implications are so far-reaching, in ways both personal and professional. However, trying to make your way through the current works in the field can be a daunting experience. In our book we have used the game of poker as a fun and different way to view leadership.”

Foster, whose latest work was “Police Technology” added, “Poker, and card games in general, gave us a rich source of metaphor and analogy. We were able to examine and explain leadership concepts and tools from a unique perspective.” Harvey added, “You don’t even have to be a poker player to get a great experience from this book. The book is academically sound and the focus is on giving current and aspiring leaders practical tools that can be put to use immediately, with emphasis on common sense, logic, and a true care and concern for people.”

An additional innovation with the book is the fully integrated companion website. At the same time the book is in production, the authors are developing supplemental material that compliments the book. The website address is www.pokerleadership.com.

Authors contact information:
www.pokerleadership.com
editor@lapdauthors.com
PMB No. 122
1034 W. Arrow Highway, Suite D
San Dimas, CA 91773
909.599.7530

LAPD Author Steve Rose “Hits the Streets”

San Dimas, CA (March 2, 2006). Retired Los Angeles Police Officer Steve Rose has kicked off a local book tour with his work “Hit the Streets! The Other Side of the Badge.” Steve’s work provides a captivating inside look into the "other side" of police work. He exposes myths, urban legends, and “confidential information” about the public and the officers themselves, known only to those who participated. The stories and characters are real, but give the reader a very different perspective on law enforcement in the City of the Angeles. Indeed, it should be required reading for anyone interested in a law enforcement career.

Steve will be at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at 791 S. Main St., Orange (Across from the Main Place shopping mall), on Friday, March 10, at 7 P.M. And, on March 23rd, at the Barnes and Noble on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, also at 7 P.M.

In addition to discussing and signing his book at those two locations he will also have a booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of books on April 29th and 30th. Steve will be in booth No. 152 on the UCLA Campus. For additional information about Steve or his book you can visit his website at www.steveroselapd.com or www.lapdauthors.com

LAPD Authors contact information:
Raymond E. Foster
PMB No. 122
1034 W. Arrow Highway, Suite D
San Dimas, CA 91773
909.599.7530