Today's Top Picks

Podcast – From Compassion to Capability: John Gantt on CERT and Community Preparedness

In this podcast episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Casey Phillips speaks with John Gantt, a longtime emergency management volunteer and CERT leader dedicated to turning everyday neighbors into trusted partners for first responders. They discuss volunteerism and the critical roles volunteers play in disaster preparedness and response. This conversation was recorded live on May 28, 2025, at the Texas Emergency Management Conference.

Lessons From Indigenous Emergency Response in Canada

Emergency management in Indigenous communities carries a unique spirit, one not always captured in the structured blueprints of conventional emergency operation centers. Emergency managers should examine culturally appropriate emergency support and communication strategies to improve crisis response.

Overcoming Hurricane Evacuation Delays to Save Lives

Flooding is the main cause of hurricane deaths in the U.S., and evacuation planning is critical to life safety. For maximum community buy-in, emergency managers should educate the public on optimum evacuation procedures and account for supply chain disruptions.

Fortress at Risk: Critical Infrastructure and Violent Extremism

Extremism gives rise to individuals, groups, and networks who see critical infrastructure as a prime target for violence. In reality, the concept of a shared-responsibility model can falter under the strain of a cascading failure. Preparation depends less on policy and more on practiced coordination before an incident occurs.

A Sixth Framework? Civil Defense and the Future of Emergency Management

Comprehensive emergency management in the U.S. evolved from World War II and Cold War-era civil defense, but today, civil defense plays little to no role in emergency management policy. With most Americans expecting a major conflict within the next decade, it is time for a sixth framework.

Editor’s Note: Terrorism Preparedness—A Role for Everyone

In any emergency preparedness role, terrorism and violent extremism can no longer be considered someone else’s problem. Countering terrorist and extremist threats requires comprehensive preparedness strategies, effective intelligence sharing, and strong partnerships.