Strategic Planning Partners continuously monitors unclassified information regarding security and vulnerabilities in the United States and abroad, as made available through various Federal, State and private organizations. We will continue to post relevant items on our website.

From: U. S. Department of Homeland Security

Homeland Security Advisory System

While there continues to be no credible information at this time warning of an imminent threat to the homeland, the department's strategic threat perspective is that we are in a period of increased risk. The National Intelligence Estimate cited heightened activity overseas, and we're mindful of the recent arrests in Europe. There has also been an upward trend in propaganda tapes and messages coming from al Qaeda and affiliated networks over the past year.

All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately. Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.

Message From Secretary Chertoff

December 28, 2007 - The United States Department of Homeland Security implores Americans to ’Resolve to be Ready in 2008’.  Secretary Chertoff urges that “ we cannot stress enough the importance being prepared for emergencies from natural disasters to terrorist attacks” and that "having a plan can make all the difference."  He further stated that "The time for individuals … and businesses to plan is now, and to resolve to make readiness a priority for 2008."

"Every Business Should Have an Emergency Plan...it can save lives, company assets and your entire business" - Michael Chertoff, Secretary - DHS 

Strategic Planning Partners primary mission is to prepare companies for the unexpected. Our services are explicitly designed to ensure the safety and security of our clients and their organizations. We wholeheartedly support Secretary Chertoff’s assertion that every business has a responsibility to prepare themselves and their employees. This is an absolute imperative if you are to position your business to survive and recover from such an event rather than become another victim waiting for government assistance that may or may not materialize.

The timing of Secretary Chertoff’s message coincides with our posting of an website enhancements to provide more comprehensive information relative to improving the preparedness and security posture of our past, present and future clients. We urge you to use this as a resource to protect your most valuable resources in the New Year.

From: National Weather Service - Climate Prediction Center

US HAZARDS ASSESSMENT
NWS CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER CAMP SPRINGS MD
300 PM EST JANUARY 01 2008

SYNOPSIS: HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES WILL DOMINATE MOST OF THE EASTERN CONUS EARLY IN THE PERIOD GIVING MUCH OF THE EAST COAST MUCH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES. LOW PRESSURE AND ONSHORE FLOW SHOULD BRING UNSETTLED WEATHER TO MUCH OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. A WEAK STATIONARY FRONT IS FORECAST ACROSS THE NORTHERN PLAINS. HIGH PRESSURE OVER NORTHERN ALASKA IN COMBINATION WITH LOW PRESSURE OVER THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE REGION SHOULD KEEP THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN PART OF THE STATE MUCH COLDER THAN NORMAL. THE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC IS FORECAST TO DRIFT OFF THE EAST COAST LEADING TO WARMING TEMPERATURES OVER THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN CONUS. LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE FROM THE WESTERN CONUS TOWARDS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE NATION AND THIS MAY CAUSE SEVERE WEATHER OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. UPPER-LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE IS THEN FORECAST TO BUILD OVER THE SOUTHEAST WHILE UPPER-LEVEL LOW PRESSURE IS FORECAST OVER THE WEST/CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTRY AND MUCH OF ALASKA. LATE IN THE ASSESSMENT PERIOD UPPER-LEVEL LOW PRESSURE IS FORECAST OVER THE CENTRAL U.S. AS FAST WEST TO EAST FLOW DOMINATES MUCH OF THE SOUTHERN CONUS. UPPER-LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE IS FORECAST TO BUILD OVER ALASKA ALTHOUGH THE MODELS ARE NOT IN VERY GOOD AGREEMENT ON THIS DEVELOPMENT.

HAZARDS

• FROM JANUARY 7 - 8, SEVERE WEATHER IS POSIBLE OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS/LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGION.
• FROM JANUARY 4 - 5, RIVER FLOODING IS POSSIBLE OVER THE NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND NORTHERN OHIO VALLEYS DUE TO FREEZE-UP ICE JAMS.
• FOR JANUARY 4, MUCH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES WILL PREVAIL ALONG THE EAST COAST.
• FROM JANUARY 4 - 9, MUCH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED OVER NORTHERN AND WESTERN ALASKA.
• FROM JANUARY 4 - 6, HEAVY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW ARE LIKELY ACROSS CALIFORNIA, COASTAL OREGON AND WASHINGTON, PARTS OF SOUTHERN IDAHO AND PARTS OF SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO.
• FOR JANUARY 6, HEAVY RAIN IS LIKELY ACROSS SOUTHERN PARTS OF ARIZONIA.
• SEVERE DROUGHT WILL CONTINUE FOR PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST, NORTHERN AND CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS, AND THE WEST. SOME RELIEF IS POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHWEST.

Long Range Climate Assessment - U.S. Northeast Region

From: A report of the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA) prepared by the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment Synthesis Team:

NECIA climate projections found that over the next several decades, temperatures across the Northeast will rise 2.5°F to 4°F in winter and 1.5°F to 3.5°F in summer regardless of the emissions choices we make now (due to heat-trapping emissions released in the recent past).

The character and economy of the Northeast have been profoundly shaped over the centuries by its varied and changeable climate. This long-familiar climate has already begun changing in noticeable ways, however. Since 1970 the Northeast has been warming at a rate of nearly 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) per decade. Winter temperatures have risen even faster, at a rate of 1.3°F per decade from 1970 to 2000. The world's leading climate scientists concluded in February 2007 that it is "unequivocal" that Earth's climate is warming, Thus, the Northeast and the rest of the world face continued warming and more extensive climate-related changes to come-changes that could dramatically alter the region's economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.