Scott McPherson's Web Presence

* " get jiggy with it" = to become excited about or involved in something (courtesy of Microsoft Encarta and Will Smith)

Or, The Rise of the Auditors.

Two recent announcements underscore the ratcheting-up of U.S. Government interest in private sector and State government pandemic planning efforts. First, the Treasury Department is holding its largest test of the financial sector's resiliency in the face of a protracted influenza pandemic. From the ABA release:

"The industry-wide pandemic exercise will take place from September 24 through October 12, 2007. Sponsored by the Treasury Department, the voluntary exercise will bring together the public and private sector and will focus on the continuity of financial services in the event of a pandemic. Treasury is encouraging financial institutions of all sizes from across the country, including banks, credit unions, securities firms, and insurance companies, to participate.

"Information about the FBIIC/FSSCC Pandemic Flu Exercise of 2007 is now available on a dedicated website: www.fspanfluexercise.com . This site is the main portal for exercise information, registration to participate, and to “play” in the exercise. At this time, initial documentation is available on the site and additional documents will be posted periodically. Registration will begin in mid-July and be open through Labor Day. The Registration and Login buttons on the website will be activated at that time. An announcement will be made when registration opens. Please refer to this site periodically for updated information.

"As we obtain additional information we will pass it along, and will certainly alert you when registration is finally open. In the meantime have a great Fourth of July. "

Good news for the financial sector, and those who use ATMs.  The banking interests are taking this seriously.

As are the auditors!  When I ran Y2K efforts in Florida, I had to do something that would strike fear and loathing into the hearts of county commissioners and school superintendents statewide.  I had to use methods so devious and sinister that no one would dare call me out.

I used every auditor in State government.  You beast, you label me!  You, you, you monster!  But I had the entire resources of the Auditor General's office (more than 200 State auditors) and more than eighty policy analysts from the State's Office of Program Policy and Government Analysis (OPPAGA). We trained them and sent them to the four corners of Florida, examining the Y2K efforts of more than 3,000 governmental entities.

So I am buoyed to see that the U.S. Government Accountability Office is moving decisively to examine State government pandemic planning efforts.  Specifically, the GAO is traveling to four states:  California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas. Wait, that's five states. They will meet with emergency management, public health and homeland security representatives to assess their respective states of readiness and review their pandemic plans.  The GAO is conducting this audit at the request of Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire).  Senator Gregg serves on the Senate Budget Committee.

Should be interesting.  I am part of the Florida team.