This September edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal addresses these and other key preparedness efforts that should be considered when planning for future incidents. Reflecting on the events of 9/11, consider the personal costs that emergency responders pay for serving their communities and develop mitigation strategies to reduce those costs. Also, evaluate the organizational changes that have occurred since 9/11 and the gaps that still need to be addressed.
Featured in this issue: Editor Note: Always Prepare for the Future, But Never Forget the Past by Catherine L. Feinman; Responding to the Call – The Cost of Caring for Others by Mary Schoenfeldt; Three Puzzle Pieces That Increase Community Preparedness by Paul Gunnels; Planning for a Cross-Country Special Event by Mark Howell and Laurel Radow; Beyond Registries: Better Solutions for People With Disabilities by June Isaacson Kailes; Citizen Soldiers and American State Defense Forces by James P. Howard; Bioterrorism – Could Smallpox Return? by Robert C. Hutchinson; Reducing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities by Corina Solé Brito; Cybersecurity in Hospitals and the Public Health Sector by Dan Scherr & Tanya Scherr;
Violence in healthcare facilities significantly challenges patients, providers, support staff, visitors, and first responders. However, healthcare-specific information and tools can help protect staff, patients, and others in these facilities.
A solar eclipse is a unique form of special event that does not always fall under emergency planning protocols, but it should. This article urges preparedness professionals to collaborate with eclipse planning committees to ensure the safety and security of all those involved.
Cyberattacks on healthcare systems affect millions of patients each year. It is critical for agencies and organizations to build a culture of compliance and awareness for the system’s security and the safety of the patients.
Emergency planners often identify volunteer disaster registries as a solution for assisting people with disabilities during a disaster. However, registries have flaws. Learn about eight common registry problems and the author’s better solutions that should be considered.
There is a cost to caring for others, but it does not need to be a lifelong debt that continues to overwhelm the people who stepped up and those around them. The cost can be manageable with the right plan of support and the willingness to explore coping options.
This author reflects on his team’s direct mission to New York in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, commonly referred to as 9/11, to consider if communities are more prepared today than they were in 2001.
State defense forces can be activated in times of emergency to assist with disaster response, homeland security, and other missions. However, more awareness within communities nationwide is needed to support the efforts of these assets.
Although smallpox was eradicated from its human population and reservoir, it is still in designated stockpiles controlled by two nations and possibly in other unknown locations. Learn about the possible threat and the need for greater preparedness and discussion.
This September edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal addresses these and other key preparedness efforts that should be considered when planning for future incidents. Reflecting on the events of 9/11, consider the personal costs that emergency responders pay for serving their communities and develop mitigation strategies to reduce those costs. Also, evaluate the organizational changes that have occurred since 9/11 and the gaps that still need to be addressed. 
Featured in this issue: Editor Note: Always Prepare for the Future, But Never Forget the Past by Catherine L. Feinman; Responding to the Call – The Cost of Caring for Others by Mary Schoenfeldt; Three Puzzle Pieces That Increase Community Preparedness by Paul Gunnels; Planning for a Cross-Country Special Event by Mark Howell and Laurel Radow; Beyond Registries: Better Solutions for People With Disabilities by June Isaacson Kailes; Citizen Soldiers and American State Defense Forces by James P. Howard; Bioterrorism – Could Smallpox Return? by Robert C. Hutchinson; Reducing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities by Corina Solé Brito; Cybersecurity in Hospitals and the Public Health Sector by Dan Scherr & Tanya Scherr; 
Violence in healthcare facilities significantly challenges patients, providers, support staff, visitors, and first responders. However, healthcare-specific information and tools can help protect staff, patients, and others in these facilities. 
A solar eclipse is a unique form of special event that does not always fall under emergency planning protocols, but it should. This article urges preparedness professionals to collaborate with eclipse planning committees to ensure the safety and security of all those involved. 
Cyberattacks on healthcare systems affect millions of patients each year. It is critical for agencies and organizations to build a culture of compliance and awareness for the system’s security and the safety of the patients. 
Emergency planners often identify volunteer disaster registries as a solution for assisting people with disabilities during a disaster. However, registries have flaws. Learn about eight common registry problems and the author’s better solutions that should be considered. 
There is a cost to caring for others, but it does not need to be a lifelong debt that continues to overwhelm the people who stepped up and those around them. The cost can be manageable with the right plan of support and the willingness to explore coping options. 
This author reflects on his team’s direct mission to New York in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, commonly referred to as 9/11, to consider if communities are more prepared today than they were in 2001. 
State defense forces can be activated in times of emergency to assist with disaster response, homeland security, and other missions. However, more awareness within communities nationwide is needed to support the efforts of these assets. 
Although smallpox was eradicated from its human population and reservoir, it is still in designated stockpiles controlled by two nations and possibly in other unknown locations. Learn about the possible threat and the need for greater preparedness and discussion. 