Hi Folks,

Here's a copy of a recnt Press Release describing my new book.

Local Author publishes Maritime Terrorism Book

May 8, 2008 - Charlottesville Author, Anthony M. Davis published a new book, “Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System.” According to Davis, the idea for the book began during a four-year survey he conducted to measure first responder readiness. A prior U.S. Coast Guard maritime intelligence professional and investigator, he provides a behind the scenes look at issues relating to our nations’ maritime security.

Mr. Davis served as the Chief of Intelligence with the Coast Guard in the Mobile, Alabama area during the 9/11 attacks. “I was responsible for five shipping ports and an area covering three states. We had a staff of three. It quickly became apparent that collaboration and information sharing was vital. Ironically, we shared the building with US Customs and were across the street from the FBI. Yet no one talked to one another.”

As an approach to sharing information, he began publishing the Homeland Security Report to 50 local law enforcement professionals on his own time. Nearly seven years later, the free publication is now read worldwide.

Discussions with first responders identified potential training and readiness issues. The result: a four-year survey. “After reviewing the numbers after the first year, it prompted me to begin writing “Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System.” Having been a maritime investigator this is an area where I have experience. This book addresses historical terrorism issues, first responder challenges and continues with a variety of areas unspoken in the press.

While the book was originally intended as a resource of law enforcement and students of homeland security issues, the text provides both enlightening and entertaining stories for anyone interested in the maritime topic.

The book is available on Amazon or at the Homeland Security Group website at:

www.homelandsecuritygroup.info.
Contact Information:

For additional information or requests for interviews, contact Anthony M. Davis at:
admin@homelandsecuritygroup.info


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So, moderators, why is it OK for this individual to promote his book and website when others get suspended for doing the same thing? Obviously I'm referring to the post about the CG Channel.....

Inquiring minds want to know......

Besides that I'm not sure if the book gives away to much intell info to get in the wrong hands.

Here is a little more information:

Homeland Security Group founder, Anthony M. Davis began this survey four years ago intending to measure the readiness level of first responders. " I hoped to find some successes throughout the survey that could be translated to agencies nationwide", he said. "Yet, throughout the measurement period, the numbers remained constant. While we’ve been very busy as a nation, we may not have been overly successful in preparing and protecting our personnel. There’s plenty of work to be done still."



Mr. Anthony M. Davis began publishing the Homeland Security Report as a free service to law enforcement, intelligence, security and emergency management personnel in October 2001. Each report is an open source view of homeland security issues and provides select officer safety information. Based on the ongoing results of the survey and discussions with first responders worldwide, Anthony M. Davis began authoring "Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System."

According to Mr. Davis, "This book is not so much about terrorism. It is intended as a guide to provide first responders a view of the perspective need for readiness in the face of a potential attack." The expected availability of the new text, "Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System" is in May 2008.

More information on the Homeland Security Group is available at www.homelandsecuritygroup.info.
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I'm going to reserve most of my comments on this...it appears to me, Anthony is trying to come across as someone from the Department of Homeland Security... (just my opinion) That is because I have never heard of the HSG... is it a Federal org.? I see Anthony is a Government Employee... at? Stan, I do expect ROB to delete the link....if not the entire post...

I would also like to know how many people there are in the "Homeland Security Group"...

Wray...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wray,

quote:

Originally posted by Wray:


I would also like to know how many people there are in the "Homeland Security Group"...

Wray...

Well...since you asked. No I'm not the Department of Homeland Security. Although the Homeland Security Group existed before there was a DHS. To answer your next point "How many people" I have about 170,000 readers each month. I didn't plan on this getting this big...it just did. The Homeland Security Reports are a FREE service to LE and first responders.

If you really want to know what it is all about, you might try visiting the site and make your own judgements.

No arguments...just check it out yourself.

- Tony

Tony, I'm not arguing, just asking a question.... I did go to the site, but it did not have an "about us" section... just saw something about you... Are you the only employee of "Homeland Security Group"? If not, how many employees does it have?

It appears to me HSG is more of a discussion group than an "active" organization. (just an observation, that's why I'm asking)

Wray...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Wray:

It appears to me HSG is more of a discussion group than an "active" organization. (just an observation, that's why I'm asking)
QUOTE]

Wray,

In a sense, you're right about it being a "discussion Group" After 9/11, I began the Homeland Security Reports as a public service. It started with 50 local LE readers and it just took off from there.

Then, the Cybercop network came to me and offered an opportunity as an Administrator on their system. This is a "behind-the-scenes" secure portal where LE, Intel and First Responders can collaborate on a variety of issues. In order to become an Administrator I needed to have a name for the collaborative group. Given about 10 seconds to make a decision, I came up with the Homeland Security Group. This was in October 2001.

A lot of things go on in the background of the Cybercop portal that folks don't see. Yet, I bet are certainly happy to have. As an example, during a large event like the superbowl for instance, it allows a real-time update of issues. If a criminal or terrorist event happened, the right first responders are notified to act appropriately.

So, in a sense, you're right. It is a discussion group of sorts. The Homeland Security Group is a ZERO-PROFIT venture that I maintain to keep our LE folks safe and informed. I just published my 185th issue of the HSR. Every one of them has been on my own time and expense (including website administration and domains, etc.)

Because every report I publish is open source, I can freely share it with LE and the intelligence community. In additon to being publicly available, they are posted on other behind-the-scenes networks that are easily accessible to rest of the national response community.

My book is just an offshoot of everything else that has happened. I'm sure there will be people that disagree with some of my points, but then they are free to write their own opinions. I spent over three years getting up a minimum of two hours early everyday and working late into the night doing research and writing.

Another person on the board suggested that I might be giving away too much intel to the wrong hands. It would make sense that since I've been doing this for nearly seven years, that I would have thought about that right? Actually, this is not a new question. I hear it alot. I address those concerns in the book at numerous places. First, the book is entirely open source and no classified information was used or looked at. I state in the book that a terrorist doesn't need my help when they have Hollywood and fiction writers to help them.

My book is to educate first responders about the maritime realm and how to survive an incident. You've been to sea. You understand the problems of dealing with a fire onboard a ship. The local first responder may not know their way around a vessel or know the various confined space hazards. Another issue I discuss are LNG vessels. Most people think they are floating bombs. When the product is supercooled, that's not true. But there are safety and contingency issues that first responders need to understand if they hope to survive the incident.

So...you're right. I'm the only employee. I've been offered a lot of money in the past to turn what I do into a commercial venture. Each time I've turned it down. Keeping our folks safe is about lives, not dollars. Between other writing, consulting and a variety of things, the bills get paid. I had no idea that sharing the info with the folks here would have been a problem. I thought that some of the Coast Guard folks would interested.

I'm just one guy trying to make a difference.

- Tony

Tony,
Thanks for answering my questions...... Good luck with your book.

Wray...

OK, just for giggles, I'll ask a question. I am familiar with the term 'Non-Profit' and the term 'not-for-profit' (I like that one - pretty much 'oops, I made a profit, wow, I didn't mean too!'

Now, I guess every mortgage company right now is a ZERO-PROFIT organization, but what does that really mean?