Coordination between the public and private sectors are essential for communicating effectively to
the public during emergencies. It is important for government agencies to build relationships with
private partners during “blue skies” to ensure that proper plans and messaging are in place in the event
of an actual emergency. New York City (NYC) Emergency Management has worked extensively to build a
robust network of private partners from various industries that can assist with the dissemination of
critical information to the public before, during, and after emergencies. In 2017, NYC Emergency
Management conducted a communication drill with private sector partners to test the potential reach of
New York City’s emergency messaging.
Disaster plans of previous generations do not adequately reflect the risks, threats, and needs of
modern society. Changing demographics, aging populations, and increasing natural and human-caused
disasters each reinforce the need for emergency and disaster preparedness professionals to gain the
knowledge and training needed to make informed decisions to mitigate threats and execute effective
responses when mitigation is not enough.
The United States is in the midst of an epidemic of addiction to opioids and fentanyl. On 18
September 2018, DomPrep hosted a roundtable discussion at MedStar NRH Rehabilitation Network in
Washington, DC, to discuss this threat. The three-hour conversation led by Craig DeAtley, PA-C,
emergency manager for MedStar System, examined the extent of the problem, including the harmful risks to
operational responders – people who are in physical contact with people as part of their daily work –
from fentanyl/opioid exposure. Key discussion points summarized in this article included: impacts on
public safety, data collection, best practices, personnel protection, and whole community collaboration.
September always seems to be a very busy month, not just because it is preparedness month but also considering the large number of meetings, conferences, contract/budget/procurement cycles, and so on. This […]
National Preparedness Month is a time for each person to reflect on his or her level of preparedness for the next emergency. This article challenges those in the Emergency Medical […]
Stakeholders in each discipline are tasked with protecting their industries’ assets and resources
from potential risks and threats. However, each industry is interdependent on numerous other industries
and their preparedness practices. The “whole community” concept encompasses the “all for one and one for
all” motto. Together, communities can build strength and resilience. Apart, they may miss the warning
signs and opportunities to mitigate disaster.
A clandestine drug lab is a health and safety nightmare for first responders. The chemicals are
almost never labelled. The initial on-site team is normally followed by several hazardous materials
technicians. These experts need to make sure the crime scene is safe and dangerous items are properly
handled before evidence technicians can fully process the scene.
There is no quick fix for addressing all national security threats. Even if there were, it would still be challenging to keep up with the threat environment as it continually […]
The use of genealogy websites to find the alleged Golden State killer, Cambridge Analytica’s use of
Facebook data to develop targeted ads for the 2016 presidential campaign, and the loss of privacy
resulting from the sharing of information on social media bring into focus some of the unintended
consequences of the collection, storage, and proliferation of personal information. The use of data in
novel and unexpected ways pits users’ demand for privacy against their desire to take advantage of the
many benefits today’s technology has to offer.
Today, businesses face many natural and manmade threats. Focusing on active shooter incidents
alone, businesses are targeted more than any other entity. According to a 2014 FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin, between 2000 and 2013, most (45.6%) active shooter incidents occurred at businesses, with the
next highest being education facilities (24.4%). To address these and other threats, business owners
must have a continuity or emergency action plan that highlights mitigation, preparation, response, and
recovery.
Coordination between the public and private sectors are essential for communicating effectively to
the public during emergencies. It is important for government agencies to build relationships with
private partners during “blue skies” to ensure that proper plans and messaging are in place in the event
of an actual emergency. New York City (NYC) Emergency Management has worked extensively to build a
robust network of private partners from various industries that can assist with the dissemination of
critical information to the public before, during, and after emergencies. In 2017, NYC Emergency
Management conducted a communication drill with private sector partners to test the potential reach of
New York City’s emergency messaging. 
National Preparedness Month is a time for each person to reflect on his or her level of preparedness for the next emergency. This article challenges those in the Emergency Medical […] 
The use of genealogy websites to find the alleged Golden State killer, Cambridge Analytica’s use of
Facebook data to develop targeted ads for the 2016 presidential campaign, and the loss of privacy
resulting from the sharing of information on social media bring into focus some of the unintended
consequences of the collection, storage, and proliferation of personal information. The use of data in
novel and unexpected ways pits users’ demand for privacy against their desire to take advantage of the
many benefits today’s technology has to offer. 
Today, businesses face many natural and manmade threats. Focusing on active shooter incidents
alone, businesses are targeted more than any other entity. According to a 2014 FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin, between 2000 and 2013, most (45.6%) active shooter incidents occurred at businesses, with the
next highest being education facilities (24.4%). To address these and other threats, business owners
must have a continuity or emergency action plan that highlights mitigation, preparation, response, and
recovery. 