NACRC committee looks at problem with military discharge papers
Opportunities for identity theft reside not only in Internet or ATM transactions, but also in county courthouses throughout the nation. In most states, military separation papers, such as the Department of Defense form DD214, are recorded in a county office, usually with the clerk or recorder. Recently, one veteran was a victim of identity theft when his discharge papers, a matter of public record, were used to secure his Social Security number and other vital information.
There are approximately 30 states that have taken no action to protect their veterans’ identities from being stolen at the county courthouse.
In response to this problem, the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks (NACRC) has launched an effort through the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA), which it sponsors, to investigate the issue and to report back possible solutions that NACo can take to state legislatures. The PRIA committee is cooperating closely with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
The committee is co-chaired by Steve McDonald, county recorder in Lancaster County, Pa., who stated, “Recorders, clerks, and everyone else in county government are sensitive to our veterans’ concern for the confidentiality of their sensitive personal information, like Social Security numbers, placed in our custody.” Committee co-chair Carl Ernst said, “The committee will assess the current statutes in each state and, based on the best provisions of each, develop practical, model legislation to restrict public access to military discharge papers already on file and to newly submitted military discharge papers.”
To participate on the committee or to receive information about its deliberations, send an e-mail to Ernst at carl.ernst@ernst.cc including the word “DD214.”
IAEM becomes charter member of National Citizen Corps Council
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced the formation of the National Citizen Corps Council at a White House meeting. The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) has been named as a charter member of the Council.
Elizabeth Armstrong, executive director, and Kathleen Henning, an IAEM member, participated in the council’s first meeting. The National Citizen Corps Council brings together national leaders from first responder groups, emergency management agencies, volunteer service organizations, state and local governments, and the private sector to engage citizens in homeland security and promote community and family-safety practices across the country.
The leadership of these organizations and their colleagues at the state and local levels will collaborate to create local Citizen Corps Councils and to advance the mission of Citizen Corps.
“IAEM is proud to be a member of this new National Citizen Corps Council to promote citizen preparedness and citizen engagement in homeland security efforts,” says Armstrong. “Through our work to support Citizen Corps, we can make America’s communities better prepared to respond to disasters of all kinds.”
President George W. Bush established the Citizen Corps initiative (www.citizencorps.gov), a component of the USA Freedom Corps, to provide individuals with opportunities to volunteer in a range of homeland security measures within their communities.
The Citizen Corps’ mission is to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds by engaging individuals in emergency preparedness and response through education, training, and volunteer service. The Citizen Corps initiative includes programs administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and FEMA.
NACHSA installs new officers at NACo Fall Conference
The National Association of County Human Services Administrators installed the following slate of officers for 2003:
President: Tom Papin, Director, Human Services Dept., Mesa County, Colo.; Vice-President: Dianne Edwards, Director, Human Services Department, Sonoma County, Calif.; Treasurer: Doug Price, Administrator, Human Services Department, Franklin County, Penn.; Secretary: Dannetta Graves, Director, Job and Family Services Department, Montgomery County, Ohio.
Upcoming IAEM events
Feb. 22–25, 2003 — International Association of Emergency Managers-National Emergency Management Association Mid-Year Meeting, Washington, D.C. See www.iaem.com for details.
Nov. 1–5, 2003 — International Association of Emergency Managers 2003 Annual Conference and Exhibit, The Rosen Center, Orlando, Fla. See www.iaem.com for details.
NAVPLG conference highlights homeland security
The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG) held its 5th annual Pre-Conference this October, in conjunction with the AVA (Association of Volunteer Administration) Conference. The topic, Emergency/Disaster Planning In Our Communities… Are We Prepared? was very timely and participants enjoyed the panel discussion and the break-out sessions.
