FederalDaily - May 4, 2005
Agencies Ill-Prepared for Emergencies
Agencies have had trouble determining which of their functions are absolutely
essential. The first step in continuity of operations plans (COOP) is for agencies
to identify what their essential functions are. But GAO said essential functions
identified by agencies varied widely and some plans included ones that appeared
to be of secondary importance. To ensure that these essential government services
are available in emergencies, federal agencies are required to develop COOP.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for guidelines
on COOP. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) just reported that, as
of May 1, 2004 , agencies had made progress in improving compliance with FEMA
guidance, but significant weaknesses remained. One of the problems, according
to GAO, is that FEMA’s guidance did not provide specific criteria for
identifying essential functions. Also, GAO said inadequate oversight by FEMA
contributed to the level of weaknesses in agency continuity plans.
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TSA Training Falls Short
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has an Online Learning Center
, which makes self-guided training courses available over TSA’s intranet
and the Internet. However, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported
that a lack of high-speed Internet/intranet connectivity at some training facilities
have made it difficult to fully use training programs. Therefore it is difficult
for screeners to meet the recurrent training requirement of three hours per
week, averaged over a quarter year, within regular duty hours. TSA cannot provide
reasonable assurance that screeners receive legislatively mandated basic and
remedial training, GAO reported. TSA officials have no formal policies or methods
for monitoring the completion of required training and were unable to provide
documentation identifying the completion of remedial training.
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Navy Touts Laser Eye Surgery
Custom (or wavefront-guided) laser vision correction produces better visual
outcomes compared to traditional laser vision correction surgeries, according
to data presented by the U.S. Navy Refractive Surgery program. The data was
presented to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
. The U. S. Navy, Army and Air Force refractive surgery programs are jointly
evaluating wavefront-guided laser vision correction. “With wavefront-guided
procedures we’re getting better quality of vision, better clarity, better
night vision and better contrast sensitivity than we did with conventional
laser eye surgeries,” said Capt. Steve Schallhorn, director of the Refractive
Surgery Program at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego.
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Army Honors Loved Ones
To honor American soldiers and their families, the Army is launching Freedom
Team Salute, a program that gives all Army soldiers—active duty, reservists
and national guardsmen—the opportunity to recognize parents, spouses
and employers for their support. As thanks, the Army is mailing Freedom Team
Salute packages to 240,000 veterans and supporters. The Freedom Team Salute
package includes an “Army of One” lapel pin, an official Army decal,
a letter of appreciation signed by the Army chief of staff and the secretary
of the Army, and a letter of thanks signed by the chief of staff and the secretary.
Soldiers who wish to nominate someone to receive the Freedom Team Salute recognition
can do so by visiting www.freedomteamsalute.army.mil.
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