Call to Action for “Unprecedented” Events
Catherine Feinman
April 29, 2020
News agencies often use the term “unprecedented” when referring to COVID-19 and other recent
disasters and events. Unprecedented refers to something that was not known or experienced before.
However, it is often used synonymously with the word “unexpected.” Of course, COVID-19 did not exist
before 2019, Hurricane Sandy did not exist before 2012, the U.S. was not attacked by terrorists on the
scale of 9/11 before 2001, and so on.
Triggered Collapse, Part 6: A Nationwide Call to Action
Andrew Miller
April 22, 2020
Similar to pandemic preparedness, the U.S. government is not doing enough to prepare for failure of
municipal water systems when the electric grid goes down. Government programs do not address loss of law
and order or cessation of food production and delivery services. Elected and appointed officials often
downplay the number of deaths to be expected and the lack of preventative measures. They also do not
acknowledge people taking advantage of stresses on law enforcement to loot and maraud in the event of a
collapse. Swift action is needed now to mitigate potential consequences of a future triggered collapse.
Public Health Principles for a Phased Reopening During COVID-19: Guidance for Governors
Domestic Preparedness
April 21, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress, most jurisdictions have implemented physical distancing measures to reduce further transmission, which have contributed to reductions in numbers of new cases. This report
Disaster Financial Management Guide
Domestic Preparedness
April 20, 2020
This guide identifies the capabilities and activities necessary to prepare and successfully implement disaster financial management while maintaining fiscal responsibility throughout response and recovery operations. The principles, concepts, and resources
Triggered Collapse, Part 5: Gaps in National Disaster Planning Scenarios
Andrew Miller
April 8, 2020
In contrast to experts’ estimates of millions of deaths, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) pandemic influenza planning scenario refers to just 87,000 casualties – not much more than a bad
seasonal flu. This version of the scenario seen in public forums has planning assumptions on virus
lethality, worker absenteeism, and maintenance of law and order that are irresponsibly optimistic. When
planning for security, it is better to err on the side of worst-case scenarios. The DHS uses 15 National
Planning Scenarios. Scenario 3 is “Biological Disease Outbreak – Pandemic Influenza,” and Scenario 4 is
“Biological Attack – Pneumonic Plague.”
A Family Tradition – Old School Florida Smuggling, Chapter 16
Domestic Preparedness and
April 3, 2020
The evolution of drug smuggling and related crimes in south Florida can be viewed through one
family and their many criminal associates. The Barker Family entered the smuggling business in the 1970s
and transitioned from marijuana to cocaine and illegal aliens by the 1990s. Through drug and alien
loads, broad conspiracies, and multiple deaths, the smuggling group was active, successful, and
notorious. This is an account of old school Florida smuggling through the long thread of one small
family. It is a bit of a history lesson and a fascinating journey back in time.
