BIG IDEAS

Brainstorm - 25 Concepts From Subject Matter Experts

When planning for its annual forecast issue, DomPrep reached out to subject matter experts in all preparedness disciplines to share which solutions they believe have significant potential to improve preparedness (readiness and resilience) over the next five years. In 200 words or less, more than 50 readers answered the call.

Changing the Future of Human Relations

The “”us versus them”” mentality that has surfaced in recent news reports – in Ferguson, Missouri, New York City, and other U.S. communities – arises from the human relations divide between citizens and law enforcement officers. A simple solution exists, but it requires both “”us”” and “”them”” to redefine the social construction within communities.

Body-Worn Cameras: The Path Forward

As contradictory witness reports of police actions surface in law enforcement incidents across the United States, the White House proposes equipping all police officers with body-worn cameras. However, before implementing such programs, agencies first must examine related benefits and challenges, and evaluate and review the effectiveness of these cameras as law enforcement tools.

Future Response Capabilities: Five Points to Consider

With a few practical steps, state and local governments, as well as other planning and response agencies, can accomplish a lot with little or no changes in their budgets. These agencies can build capability, confidence, and readiness by developing concepts of operations, reviewing equipment needs, training personnel, maintaining instruments, and regularly practicing skills.

Emerging Infectious Diseases - A Whole-Community Approach

As Ebola traveled across borders to countries not previously affected, the need for comprehensive preparedness plans became obvious. However, such cases are not simply public health threats, but whole-community incidents. As such, emergency managers must assess emerging infectious disease threats and prepare to manage a multiagency response to these slow onset disasters.

The Future of Handheld Chemical Detection & Identification

By identifying technology gaps as well as trends in detection needs and capabilities, manufacturers are creating new mass spectrometry tools that are smaller, easier to use, and more accurate for trace-level detection and identification. In 2015, first responders, civil support teams, and military personnel may be able to fill gaps left by their current equipment.

Texas - Youth Volunteers in the Medical Reserve Corps

In Harris County, Texas, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is leveraging its youth volunteers and establishing Junior MRC teams in its local high schools. By integrating a younger generation and recognizing the benefits that youth members can provide, MRCs can strengthen community preparedness and response for many years to come.

Community Paramedicine - Bringing the Hospital Home

As hospitals fill with patients and the cost of medical care rises, the use of community paramedicine also may increase. To fill the gap between routine doctor visits and emergency transport to hospitals, communities have the opportunity to expand the use of highly trained paramedics to better serve their populations’s urgent-care needs.

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