Preparedness Leadership Council (PLC) Report: Biodefense Roundtable – Implementation and Operationalization of the National Biodefense Strategy | Domestic Preparedness Photo: DomPrep, 2019
Commentary

Preparedness Leadership Council (PLC) Report: Biodefense Roundtable – Implementation and Operationalization of the National Biodefense Strategy

by Martin D. Masiuk -

The National Biodefense Strategy highlights President Donald Trump's commitment to protect the American people, “and establishes objectives to effectively counter threats from naturally occurring, accidental, and deliberate biological events.” This strategy is intended to guide innovation and collaboration beyond the federal government. The president is targeting this strategy for action by state, local, territorial, and tribal (SLTT) entities, practitioners, scientists, educators, and industry.  This report is a meeting readout. It relays the sentiments of the many experts who participated but is not an exhaustive analysis of the recommendations and how they should be implemented. It is meant to lay the groundwork for the next steps, which key leaders and policymakers should consider. The information relayed herein is generally reflective of the opinions voiced at the meeting as well as the survey respondents, though any given statement should not necessarily be viewed as consensus.

 
Updates

Hiring! Director of Resource Management in HHS/ASPR

by -

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Office of Resource Management is hiring a Director of Resource Management in the Washington, DC, area. The director provides strategic and expert advice to the principal deputy assistant secretary on operational readiness, recovery, and response activities to ensure efficient and effective coordination of departmental efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recovery from public health and medical emergencies.

Resilience

European CBRNE Summit 2019 – Salisbury & Manchester

by Bobby Baker -

Birmingham, United Kingdom – Over the past few years, the term “asymmetry” has been applied many times to the emerging threat landscape to first responders and military personnel around the world. Asymmetrical means that two sides do not match or are uneven. Intelligence SEC’s 2019 European CBRNE Summit recently held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, highlighted two of the largest and most prominent chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incidents in the world: The 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack and the 2017 Manchester concert arena bombing. Intelligence-SEC will be presenting the 2019 Asian CBRNE Summit to be held 3-5 December 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Commentary

How to Lead the Public

by Eric J. McNulty & Leonard J. Marcus -

In almost any adverse incident, whether natural or manmade, the general public is involved. At times, they are the victims and survivors. Active bystanders may be the true first responders simply because of proximity. Volunteers often surge forward hoping to help. Eager though untrained, members of the public can be a help or hindrance – and the difference may be how effectively they are led.

Healthcare

Meeting Healthcare Supply Chain Needs at All Times

by James M. Rush Sr. -

The healthcare industry has numerous supply chain challenges as it strives to meet patient and facility needs during routine operations as well as during small- and large-surge events. The current process has gaps that need to be filled. However, there is a possible solution.

Commentary

Strengthening Threat-Mitigation Efforts in Changing Times

by Catherine L. Feinman -

Threats come in many forms. Some occur naturally from weather events. Some occur maliciously through technological manipulations. Some occur violently with traditional weaponry or weaponized materials. Some threats combine two or more of these and other threats. The preparedness community is tasked with identifying potential threats in order to mitigate or thwart the devastating consequences should a threat manifest in disaster.

Resilience

Advancing Resilience – Building Codes & Benchmarking

by Ryan Colker -

Communities are facing a wide variety of shocks and stresses. Whether it is a natural disaster threat (hurricane, earthquake, flood, wildfire), socioeconomic stressor (homelessness, poverty), or loss of a major employer, communities are looking for strategies to protect their citizens, tax base, and infrastructure (including buildings) from disaster. New tools and benchmarks provide the basis for developing these strategies.

Updates

Realistic Exercise Tests Information Flow, Technology Solutions in a Real World Urban Environment

First responders gathered at the Port of Houston’s Sam Houston Pavilion in Texas with response vehicles, vessels, and a mobile command center to engage in a simulated multi-effort emergency response to an accidental release of a volatile chemical on the Houston Ship Channel. As the scenario unfolded, responders continuously assessed the efficiency and interoperability of next generation response technology, ensuring collected data provided the situational awareness they needed to provide efficient and timely response to victims.

Safe Spaces: Creating a Culture to Support Infant Feeding in Shelters

Disasters and emergency evacuations can pose feeding difficulties for the mothers of infants and young children, but these challenges can be mitigated. When public health practitioners and emergency managers work together to implement straightforward guidelines, they can meet infant feeding needs in shelters. Access to maternal and reproductive health care should be a foundation in mass care after hazards and in crises scenarios.

Tracking Population Data Could Change Disaster Response

Weather satellite imagery is an indispensable part of how government agencies and aid groups understand and respond to severe weather events. Now, government agencies and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) can use large-scale population movement data – anonymized and aggregated by Facebook – to plan future disaster response efforts.

New App Provides Emergency Response Vehicles With the Fastest, Safest Path to Incident Scenes

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and partner Azimuth1 LLC are developing an app called QuickRoute, giving first responders the quickest and safest route to incident scenes. QuickRoute takes into account the type of vehicle being driven, agency roadway protocols, specs like turn radius or bridge and tunnel clearance, and their unique ability to use lights and sirens to clear paths and avoid signals. Other data sources, including weather patterns, traffic and transit schedules, and local jurisdiction rules are also key factors.

NACCHO Applauds Passage of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (S. 1379). This important legislation maintains the commitment of the federal government to local public health preparedness.