Comments and Discussion:
...And Not a Drop to Drink. Water: an Alternative Test for Emergency Managers

I agree that the provision of water and other emergency rations must be streamlined. However, I did not agree that a governor puts his/her career at risk by requesting federal aid. At least here in the Midwest, people expect the governor to declare disaster areas and ask for federal declarations after floods and major tornados. NOT requesting federal aid would put the governor's career at risk.

   - Steve - 06-26-08

Great Article! on the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake the Northern California Water Utilities came together and helped write the State's Emergency Potable Water and Distribution Plan (find it under plans at www.oes.ca.gov) and applied for an Urban Area Security Intiative Grant to procure potable water bagging trailers. We too understood the essence of Mike's fine article.

   - Edward Sullivan - 06-26-08

That is a great article about the steps required to get water to vicitims in case of a disaster (seems like too many steps needed). I also agree that "Six Sigma and Lean process reviews are examples of the types of tools that can help emergency managers". That reminds me of a story on ABC in 2008 about ice melting that was meant for Hurrican Victims because of misteps by FEMA. The University of St. Thomas where I work offers courses in Six Sigma Green Belt. More information is available at http://exed.stthomas.edu/SixSigmaGreenBeltTrainingMN

   - Jake - 06-10-09