The nation currently faces an age of bioengineered viral pandemics and collapse. Advances in
biotechnology enable nations, terrorist groups, or even lone wolves to create genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) such as a human-to-human transmissible version of avian flu or to modify a lethal virus
to facilitate a longer period of contagion and undetected spread before symptoms manifest.
Bioengineering enables almost anyone to modify and release a new virus that, in addition to a pandemic,
could cause an ensuing collapse in economic activity as well as loss of law and order as people react to
the threat. Some experts say that the threat of a natural or bioengineered viral pandemic is already
here. As it becomes increasingly easier to modify existing pathogens, the threat will also rise as these
pathogens are made to be more lethal and more transmissible.
Emerging threats of yesteryear seemed unrealistic, so allocating funds and resources to such
threats was not a priority for many agencies and organizations. Today, some of those “unrealistic”
scenarios have become almost commonplace. As a result, having a three-day kit, knowing how to stop the
bleed, and training for an active shooter event no longer seem unusual. However, communities are still
generally greatly unprepared for what is yet to come tomorrow.
Dear DomPrep Readers,On Wednesday, January 1, 2020, I published a six month review along with a publisher message. I received a thought provoking reply from Mr. James Rush that I […]
As numerous past disasters and government exercises have indicated, many people will take advantage
of overwhelmed police to loot and maraud. “Preppers” are well aware of this threat, but it may be
politically incorrect for government officials to honestly address lawlessness and risk offending
voters, so they lack preparation for the problem of gangs and armed marauders looting and killing in the
wake of a big disaster that overwhelms first responders.
On behalf of the staff and many writers of DomPrep, I wish you a safe, healthy, and secure 2020. We
are about to finish our 21st year of publishing information for first responders, medical receivers,
emergency managers, local-state-federal authorities,
It is interesting to stop for a moment and think, “How did we get here?” The emergency preparedness
and response profession has come a long way, offering emergency preparers, responders, and receivers
many more invaluable tools at their disposal than their counterparts had in previous years. Over time,
plans and procedures have adapted to ever-evolving needs and environments. And technology has advanced
beyond the imagination of their predecessors 50 years ago. However, for every advancement, a new
challenge(s) emerges.
Understanding history is a critical component of emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. History has a way of exposing preparedness and response gaps and providing a roadmap for best practices going […]
There is no way to list or train for the innumerable mass casualty scenarios that a responder could
face on any day, at any time, in any place. This means that no emergency response can be perfect and no
plan flawless. However, rather than focusing on the “what ifs” after an incident, responders need to
decide on the “what nows.” The military and civilian responders to the 16 September 2013 Washington Navy
Yard shooting have done that. Not only have the involved agencies created their own lessons learned,
they have also coordinated with each other to bridge the response gaps that were exposed. Key takeaways
from the shooting as well as actions that have been taken since the incident were shared on 17 September
2019, when public safety agencies throughout the National Capital Region convened to reinforce
communications efforts and address any remaining interoperability concerns.
Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready campaign recognizes September as National Preparedness Month. Agencies and organizations across the United States participate in this national preparedness effort by […]
Disaster planners recognize the need to build interagency, interdisciplinary support to combat
widespread disasters with far-reaching consequences. However, gaining such buy-in can be challenging –
especially when stakeholders do not recognize the threat to their communities or do not understand the
roles they can and should play in mitigating such threats. This is important considering that an
international threat can quickly become a local problem and a local threat can transform into an
international concern.
The nation currently faces an age of bioengineered viral pandemics and collapse. Advances in
biotechnology enable nations, terrorist groups, or even lone wolves to create genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) such as a human-to-human transmissible version of avian flu or to modify a lethal virus
to facilitate a longer period of contagion and undetected spread before symptoms manifest.
Bioengineering enables almost anyone to modify and release a new virus that, in addition to a pandemic,
could cause an ensuing collapse in economic activity as well as loss of law and order as people react to
the threat. Some experts say that the threat of a natural or bioengineered viral pandemic is already
here. As it becomes increasingly easier to modify existing pathogens, the threat will also rise as these
pathogens are made to be more lethal and more transmissible. 
Emerging threats of yesteryear seemed unrealistic, so allocating funds and resources to such
threats was not a priority for many agencies and organizations. Today, some of those “unrealistic”
scenarios have become almost commonplace. As a result, having a three-day kit, knowing how to stop the
bleed, and training for an active shooter event no longer seem unusual. However, communities are still
generally greatly unprepared for what is yet to come tomorrow. 
As numerous past disasters and government exercises have indicated, many people will take advantage
of overwhelmed police to loot and maraud. “Preppers” are well aware of this threat, but it may be
politically incorrect for government officials to honestly address lawlessness and risk offending
voters, so they lack preparation for the problem of gangs and armed marauders looting and killing in the
wake of a big disaster that overwhelms first responders. 
There is no way to list or train for the innumerable mass casualty scenarios that a responder could
face on any day, at any time, in any place. This means that no emergency response can be perfect and no
plan flawless. However, rather than focusing on the “what ifs” after an incident, responders need to
decide on the “what nows.” The military and civilian responders to the 16 September 2013 Washington Navy
Yard shooting have done that. Not only have the involved agencies created their own lessons learned,
they have also coordinated with each other to bridge the response gaps that were exposed. Key takeaways
from the shooting as well as actions that have been taken since the incident were shared on 17 September
2019, when public safety agencies throughout the National Capital Region convened to reinforce
communications efforts and address any remaining interoperability concerns. 