Agriculture & Food Defense Archives

National Strategy for Biosecurity Threats

Robert C. Hutchinson August 20, 2014

“Unexpected” threats may not be so unexpected, but rather foreseen threats that were not taken seriously. Anthrax, plague, and smallpox were ongoing concerns even before the recent incidents that occurred on U.S. soil. However, local jurisdictions must plan for and be operationally prepared for such no-notice biological incidents.

Call for a Dedicated Environmental Health & Security Strategy

Justin Snair and Christopher Mills August 5, 2014

The natural and built environments affect personal and population health, but the effects are often only visible over time. Countering the threat of harmful substances and organisms in food, water, air, and soil requires a multidiscipline approach. Determining where environmental health and security fits alongside public health strategy and homeland security will help

Bioterror – The Threat, The Defense & The Future

Richard Schoeberl July 23, 2014

Adequate defense for a bioterrorism attack requires fortification of the public health infrastructure as well as the establishment and continuance of a good healthcare system. With the potential to spread rapidly with and between communities, bioagents as weapons pose a significant threat to U.S. communities that require greater attention on

Importance of the Global Health Security Agenda

Raphael Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek July 16, 2014

Increased intercontinental travel and increased biological, pandemic, and other disease threats mean that countries must effectively cooperate and communicate to prevent the spread of disease within and between interconnected communities. The Global Health Security helps bring together global partners and address key issues related to preventing, detecting, and responding to

Division of Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Course

Domestic Preparedness July 8, 2014

The Strategic National Stockpile Preparedness Course is a 3-day course designed to give federal, state, and local officials information on how to best plan and prepare for a public health emergency and how to use and manage the Strategic National Stockpile in response to a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or

A Blossoming Public-Private Partnership

Catherine L. Feinman June 18, 2014

For any large-scale special event, it is important to expect the unexpected. The United States Park Police took the time to plan and train with private sector partners for the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run to discover gaps and mitigate potential hazards and incidents that may present

Illinois – Lessons From a Radiological Incident Exercise

Shay Simmons and Curtis Hawk April 23, 2014

When a radiological incident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. However, the frequency and probability of such incidents limit many jurisdictions from being fully prepared and trained. Illinois officials understand the threat and conduct annual exercises to ensure that jurisdictions in and around its nuclear facilities are ready for their

California – A Growing Response to Persistent Drought

Mark Ghilarducci March 26, 2014

The average person in the United States uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. California’s multiyear drought has broken new records, created unprecedented reductions in water supply, and demands personal conservation techniques. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been leading the charge toward mitigating this widespread

Preparedness & Progress for Emerging Pathogenic Threats

Robert C. Hutchinson March 12, 2014

Equipment, plans, and personnel are only as good as their ability to perform when needed. When disaster strikes, it is imperative that local, state, and federal levels of government, emergency management, volunteer organizations, and healthcare coalitions are all operationally ready and trained to use all of the “stuff” they have

Preparing the Next Generation for War on the Virtual Battlefront

Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso February 25, 2014

A “cyber Pearl Harbor” is imminent, according to government and industry experts. Recognizing the threat and implementing programs and training to better guard against such threats is critical to protect the various U.S. infrastructure systems and networks.

Call for Help – Defending the Food Supply

Amy Kircher January 29, 2014

There are plots to use food as a delivery mechanism for weapons of mass destruction and plots to intentionally alter food products for economic gain. As such, food defense is everybody’s business. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently asking for comments that would help mitigate the intentional adulteration

Food Defense Activities – A Year in Review

Jason Bashura January 22, 2014

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a staff of people dedicated to protecting the nation’s food supply. These Food Defense and Emergency Coordination Staff members are actively participating in conferences, meetings, and exercises throughout the year and providing valuable tools to national and international stakeholders. A summary of the

TWITTER

Get Instant Access

Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.