This is the podcast of WAR ROOM, the official online journal of the U.S. Army War College. Join us for provocative discussions about U.S. national security and defense, featuring prominent national security and military professionals.
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episode 242: NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE: THE BENS REPORT
Emergency response in the United States typically relies on one saving tenet of operations -- a safe haven to prepare and stage and launch from. Natural disasters tend to be localized. Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and earthquakes may strike large swaths of the country but typically there is some place outside of the disaster zone that can be used to launch rescue and recovery operations. COVID has challenged that principle for the first time in many years. This is a global pandemic with virtually no "safe zone" to launch from. Business Executives for National Security (BENS) a nonprofit comprised of senior business and industry executives commissioned a study and produced a report it refers to as "A CALL TO ACTION" to strengthen U.S. emergency response for sustained, widespread events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. BENS President and CEO, Joseph Votel, joins our own Editor-in-Chief, Jacqueline Whitt in the virtual studio to discuss the findings of the report. Their conversation reviews the recommendations of federal, state and local government responsibilities and relations and the need for a national strategy for emergency response. Not surprisingly, as in any large scale operation, the need for clear communication and information sharing is highlighted as one of the crucial factors for success.