Infrastructure Security and Resilience


In this installment of Civil E. Speaking we focus our attention on the security and resilience of our nation s infrastructure and what you can do to help improve it. Learn all about The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) from the people that head the partnership. Listen to America's First Under Secretary for the Preparedness Directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, George W. Foresman, address TISP members at breakfast held on June 15th.

Regional Infrastructure Report Cards
There have been two recent additions to the ranks of the regional Report Cards: California and North Carolina. In the last half of September ASCE Sections from these two states released their regional Report Cards bringing the total number of state or regional Report Cards to nineteen. In this podcast we have roundtable discussions with some of the members that were involved in these great efforts. Listen in as we discuss grades, what they mean and how the Report Cards were received by local communities and media.

Infrastructure Solutions Summit
The Infrastructure Solutions Summit (ISS) hosted by ASCE's Civil Engineering Forum for Innovation (CEFI) was a two day event (April 25th and 26th) focusing on developing an agenda for implementing innovations, forming strategic partnerships and providing unified leadership to make infrastructure improvements a national priority. Listen to comments from Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Congressman Tom Petri, Congressman Jim Oberstar and Felix Rohatyn, Co-Chair of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Infrastructure. The Summit grew out of ASCE's 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure which used letter grades to assess 15 areas of the nation's infrastructure.

The Need for A National Infrastructure Commission
We start this edition of Civil E. Speaking with an interview with U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Tom Carper conducted recently by ASCE. The Senators were interviewed about the National Infrastructure Improvement Act which they introduced earlier this year. We end this segment with an update on the key the legislation that ASCE is working on to benefit our nation s infrastructure.

A Conversation with FEMA
This edition of Civil E Speaking features FEMA director R. David Paulison speaking on November 15, 2006 at a breakfast sponsored by The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP). Mr. Paulison discussed the changes and improvements taking place at FEMA under his direction, including new procedures and practices that will make Federal action more coordinated during an emergency.

Engineering R+D Symposium
This past May the 4th Annual Engineering R&D Symposium was held. The Symposium brought together leaders from over 18 engineering organizations for an intensive, two-day meeting to gain firsthand knowledge of the administration s R&D priorities and the potential impact of the President s fiscal year 2007 budget request on the science, engineering and technology community. Listen in to speakers such as: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM); Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN); Kei Koizumi, the Director of R&D Budget & Policy Programs at the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Phillip Ritter the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Texas Instruments, as they discuss the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) and the President s proposed budget for FY 07. Hi Guys! Just posting to my Odeo Channel My Odeo Channel (odeo/ce62ec6f91b16407)

Transportation Financing Hearing and ASCE in the News
Listen to highlights from the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing that took place on May 24, 2006. The focus of this hearing was current innovations in transportation financing. The "ASCE in the News"brings you through recent newsworthy events in the world of ASCE. The Dam Safety Act. ASCE Members Taking Action. Dulles Metrorail Tunnel Review Panel. Clean Water Trust Act.

Aging Dams, A National Problem
Last month Congressional leaders discussed the National Dam Safety Program Act., H.R. 4981. The House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing in late July to review the program. Listen to excerpts featuring speakers such as Congressman Randy Kuhl (D-NY), Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-NY), and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Hurricanes and Wind Hazards
June 1st marked the official start of the 2006 Hurricane Season. May Mayfield of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gives the official predictions for the season along with highlighting a few communities particularly vulnerable to wind storms. ASCE's efforts in hazard prevention and mitigation are outlined. Listen to a roundtable discussion about ASCE's Disaster Assistance Volunteer Program, a directory that you can sign up if you want to help out in the event of an emergency.

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