bioterrorism preparedness in kansas
JD’s right, I am involved with what the report said. The report was conducted by the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) and commissioned by the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (KALHD). Specific county data was left out of the report that was released due to security issues. I know that the information could probably be found — but why just lay it out for the bad guys? Think OPSEC (operational security).
A few things to remember about this report and the state of preparedness of Kansas.
- The report was done for the fiscal year 2002. We made a lot of progress then and we continue to improve; I can’t specify (opsec), but you’ll have to trust me on this one.
- Some premises were a little off in my opinion. Does Rawlins County need to prepare the same as Johnson County? In my opinion, no. Everyone knows where Johnson County is [It's the Kansas side of the KC Metro area. -ed]. For those without access to a Kansas map, Rawlins County is in far northwest Kansas. According to the census, it has more cattle than people.
- We (anti-terrorism people) tend to speak in non-specifics to non-secure audiences. A public document of any kind is by nature not secure. Remember, it is that way to help insure your safety.
So, people of America, we who do this business daily are improving preparedness for your safety every day. While reports like this help to highlight our positives and negatives, we use them to aid our preparedness activities. My advice is to please not get too bent out of shape at these news reports and our seeming lack of answers to your questions. Remember, the country is at war, and will likely be for our entire lives.
07.30.2004 @ 09:52
Good job.
What would you say to those people who say, “If all this secrecy and such is required to protect us, then what do we really gain in an open society?”
I’m not saying I agree with that sentiment, but I do think it’s a valid question.
07.30.2004 @ 09:58
I would say that we have lived in a society of secrets for a long time. The proper control of information is a benefit to society and the country as a whole. It will keep the honest people honest. Believe me when I say, I am a fairly low level operator in this and I know things that would scare most of the people. It allows people to move ahead in life leaving the business of preparedness and protecting the country to those of us who have chosen to make it our profession.