What Does “OODA” Mean Anyway?

Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.

That’s what OODA stands for. It’s a term coined by Colonel John R. Boyd (January 23, 1927 – March 9, 1997; pictured right), a United States Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist, whose theories have influenced both military and business strategies.

He used the term “OODA Loop” to describe the process that individuals and organizations use to react to events. The key to success is the creation of situations where one can make appropriate decisions more rapidly than others.
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Preparedness Grants can Fund Maintenance and User Fees

Did You Know that FEMA Grant Funds Extend Beyond Equipment Purchases?

Last November, Timothy Manning, FEMA’s Deputy Administrator of the National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) announced that preparedness grant funds can be used for fees associated with equipment purchases.

An excerpt from the FEMA Grants Program Directorate’s bulletin released by his office:

“Effective [November 2o, 2009], the use of FEMA preparedness grant funds for maintenance contracts, warranties, repair or replacement costs, upgrades, and user fees are allowable under all active and future grant awards, unless otherwise noted.”

How Does FEMA Define User Fees for Preparedness?

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Everybody Needs a Tap Code

This week, PBS aired a phenomenal series on human emotion and social interaction called “This Emotional Life.” I was particularly struck by a segment on human resilience in which a Vietnam veteran – Bob Shumaker, a POW for 8 years – shared his amazing story.

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Operable or Interoperable Communications? The Chicken or the Egg?

Operable or interoperable – which came first? A few definitions to get you thinkin’:

• Communications = a process of transferring information from one entity to another
• Operable = able to operate/perform your duties
• Interoperable = able to exchange and use information
• Interoperability = ability to work with each other

With all the talk of communications interoperability and all the money we’ve spent since 9/11, you’d think this problem has been solved. Perhaps it has in some specific cases, but for the majority of U.S. communities – despite the best of intentions – interoperability as well as basic communications operability is still lacking as a fundamental cornerstone of our local, regional, and national preparedness.

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Preparedness as a Gift

The holiday season, for many, is a time of gathering with family and friends. It’s a time when we share gifts, and as a prelude to the new year, it is also a time of reflection. However, many throughout the world are not at peace, are not gathering with friends and family, are not sharing gifts. It is time we awaken to the fact that we are indeed in a new age – an age in which we need to stop thinking just about ourselves and begin to care more about other people and indeed all living things.

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Resiliency=f(comms)

Organizational resiliency is a function of available communications which is a direct function of your preparedness posture. Without communications you are up zee creek (if there’s any water left)! Ok if there’s no water left you are really up zee creek! Better call somebody…oh darn…the phones aren’t working and the power is out! … Geez my cell phone battery is dead…oh well the cell service is down too. – Now what! … Hope I can find my car keys.

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Are We Prepared? Why Bother?

Did  you ever think to ask your local first responders (fire, police, emergency management)  how prepared we are for natural disasters?

Is your local community sufficiently prepared to meet the needs of you and your neighbors when a disaster strikes? Do you know who is responsible, what resources they can access, and how quickly they can respond?

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Never Forget Disaster while Enjoying Peace

Complacency turns mere emergencies into disasters. Much like taking the blessings of nature for granted has yielded a fragile environment intolerant of more abuse,  postponing disaster preparedness because it’s been awhile is like piling combustible materials in the direct path of a raging forest fire. It will burn out of control.

Do you ever wonder why most experts suggest stockpiling 2 weeks of critical supplies when, until recently, the recommendation has been 3 days?

Timely Connections for Uncertain Times

OODAkits provide global Internet access and phone service – with power – to a small team.