Aftermath of a Hurricane: The Hard Part Comes Next
An analysis of what went right and wrong in the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. The author's recommendation: Stop the blame game, and appoint a national commission that can salvage some long-term gains out of a massive disaster.
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Terror Attacks Near 3,200 in 2004 Count
There were approximately 3,200 terrorist attacks worldwide this past year, according to the National Counterterrorism Center whose terror base is set to go online on July 6.

DHS' Efforts to Enhance First Responders' All-Hazards Capabilities Continue to Evolve
DHS has developed plans to implement three related programs to enhance first responder capabilities: (1) to assess and report on the status of first responders' capabilities; (2) to prioritize national resource investments; and (3) to establish a national training and exercise program. Implementing these programs will likely pose a number of challenges for DHS including i ntegrating internal and external assessment approaches, assessing state and local risks in a national context to effectively prioritize investments, and establishing common training requirements across responder disciplines.

United States , Mexico and Canada Deliver Initial Security and Prosperity Partnership Report
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Mexican and Canadian officials released the initial report of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), a developing blueprint of a comprehensive effort to improve the security and prosperity of North America .

New York Signs $2 Billion Contract for Emergency Radio Service
ALBANY , N.Y. (AP) -- The state on Monday announced it signed its contract for a long controversial $2 billion radio communications system designed to allow emergency and public service crews to talk to each other during natural disasters and terrorist attacks. To read more, please go to:

D.C. first responders to get smart cards
The Homeland Security Department will soon issue Washington, D.C.-area responders smart cards to ensure that the right people are at the right place at the right time. Starting in January 2006, the 12 jurisdictions in Maryland, Viriginia and the District of Columbia that comprise the National Capital Region will distribute smart cards to their first responders, said Craig A. Wilson, first responder partnership coordinator for DHS' Office of National Capital Region Coordination (ONCRC).

DHS Launches State-Local Network
"The Homeland Security Department is deploying a new 'secret' data network to pass classified information to hundreds of state and local officials, DHS officers said at a congressional hearing" on Wednesday, according to Government Computer News .