America’s Critical Infrastructure

2009 Jan 29 Posted by Charles

A 2009 report released yesterday by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the country’s critical infrastructure a cumulative grade of “D”. Critical infrastructure (CI) includes things like roads, bridges, dams, water and waste treatment plants, energy and aviation, to name just a few of the areas receiving very low marks.

This ASCE report also gives strategies for how the country can raise this score card. This will not come without significant investment in our infrastructure. For me this highlights the very important role of our public safety professionals (homeland security, law enforcement, fire services and emergency management) dealing with the identification and protection of our country’s vital systems, i.e. critical infrastructure. Preventive maintenance of our critical infrastructure is essential and so is preparedness, protection and prevention around those sites.

One Response to “America’s Critical Infrastructure”

Michael M. Brown Says:

I think the political apparatus in this country need to use its leverage to force private industry into a position of working with DHS and FEMA in using insurance companies to penalize the private sector and state, local, and municipalities for allowing CI or more important structures to deteriorate or become vulnerable. This would remove the costs from the taxpayer and make the private (SSAs) more responsible because of $$$$$$.

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Picture of Dr. Steven Barthelmeus, aa contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Steven Barthelmeus
Program Chair,
Public Safety – Criminal Justice/Forensics program, Capella University
Picture of Harry Carter, a contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Harry Carter
Core Faculty Member,
Capella University
Picture of Shelly Gill, a contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Shelly Gill
Adjunct Instructor, Capella University
Picture of Dr. Joseph Pascarella, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Joseph Pascarella
Core Faculty Member, Capella University
Picture of Dr. Jeffrey Rush, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Jeffrey Rush
Asst. Professor of Criminal Justice/Homeland Security, Dept. of Public Management and Criminal Justice, Austin Peay State University
Picture of Dr. Michael Kemp, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Michael Kemp
Chair, Emergency Management, Capella University
Melissa Beasley
Captain, Florence Alabama Police Department
Darryl Jones
Capella University Learner and Chief, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
Dr. Laura Pettler
Investigator for Prosecutorial District Twenty A of North Carolina
Mark Rubin
Capella University Learner
Mark S. Warnick
Capella University Learner, Retired Asst. Fire Chief

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