Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness | Domestic Preparedness Photo: Unplash/dole777
Resilience

Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness

by Chris Sheach -

No single communication solution can apply to every situation. To better prepare the next generation of public safety professionals, one professor is challenging young adults to develop social media messaging that reaches diverse populations and encourages action to protect lives and property during emergencies.

 
Commentary

Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool

by Catherine L. Feinman -

Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. The authors in this March edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal describe various ways information sharing reaches across potential barriers to help emergency preparedness professionals before, during, and after disasters.

Healthcare

Guidance for Preparing Professionals Mentally for the Worst

by James L. Greenstone & Weldon Walles -

When a disaster strikes, responders face scenarios that deviate from normal routines, protocols, and resources. This newly proposed sufficiency testing and training guidance for disaster responders aims to prepare professionals mentally for these worst-case scenarios. By attempting to perform small but impossible tasks, participants begin to address the mental challenges they are likely to encounter during a crisis.

Preparedness

Tornadoes – Adapting Plans for a Changing Environment

by Cameron Gonteski -

Common terms like “Tornado Alley” should not get in the way of planning for evolving environmental threats. Meteorologists look at trends and recognize that tornadoes are one natural hazard that is shifting eastward. Make sure state and local hazard mitigation plans are updated and ready for this shift.

Resilience

A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery

by Robert J. (Bob) Roller -

In March 2023, FEMA published the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan. Learn about this big step forward for the emergency management community – the development and content of this new plan as well as the next steps for key stakeholders.

Resilience

Leader of the Pack – Canine Detection

by Barb Clark -

In the wake of a disaster, time is critical for locating survivors and recovering bodies. This type of work requires training, skills, and abilities acquired by canines due to their unique anatomy and physiology. However, there are key considerations before implementing K9 programs.

Preparedness

Fostering Public Buy-In to Support Public Safety

by Taylor Bonsall-Winn -

Emergency managers often go unnoticed until a disaster occurs. However, disaster response efforts are much more effective when communities work together and trust their local responding agencies. Learn how one county has changed its mindset to develop stronger community partnerships and buy-in before the next disaster.

Updates

TSA Administrator testifies about FY24 proposed budget that improves security, efficiency and traveler experience

As approved in the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Act and signed by the President in December 2022, this budget proposal includes necessary funding for the agency to continue to implement an employee compensation package that is commensurate with other federal agencies and provisions to accommodate increasing passenger travel volumes and maintain wait times standards. This funding provides needed resources to pay TSA employees commensurate with its federal counterparts, dedicate an additional $70 million to expand Computed Tomography (CT) deployments to airport checkpoints nationwide and provide $151 million to fund TSA’s efforts to mitigate the cyber threat across surface and aviation transportation sectors.

FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription.

DHS’s new Operation Blue Lotus has Already Stopped More Than 900 Pounds of Fentanyl From Entering the United States

DHS announced that Operation Blue Lotus, a new coordinated and surge operation targeting the smuggling of fentanyl, stopped more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from coming into the United States in its first week. Led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and working with federal, state, tribal and local partners, DHS is investing additional personnel, technology, and other resources along the southwest border to detect and seize this dangerous drug at and between ports of entry.

News Release: DHS S&T Awards Funds to Brooklyn Startup Developing Flood Analytics Tech

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced a Phase 1 Other Transaction award of $195,260 to Cloud to Street (commercially conducting business as Floodbase), a Brooklyn, New York-based startup to develop flood analytics technology that will help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) improve preparedness and response efforts.

DHS Releases FY23 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Notice of Funding

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Administered by the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the TVTP Grant Program supports local communities in their efforts to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.