Each day, there are opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills as well as opportunities to share current knowledge and skills with others. This is especially true in the emergency […]
Illegal manufacturing of fentanyl continues to rise and, with it, the dangers of clandestine drug laboratories to responders. Dangerous crime scenes like these are not limited to any one location. Responders everywhere need to prepare to encounter them at any point. Portable gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment can help hazardous materials (hazmat) response teams quickly identify white powders, like fentanyl, and associated cutting agents on-scene.
Disasters can take many forms – naturally occurring like a volcanic eruption or solar flare, human-caused like a terrorist attack or radioactive material release, or technological like a cyberattack or data breech. Although a specific threat or hazard may be unavoidable, whether it eventually becomes a “disaster” is not a certainty. Averting disaster requires making the right decisions at the right time – from the crisis leaders to the boots on the ground.
Building materials, furnishings, paints, plastics, and electronics found in today’s buildings have
the potential to burn or decompose into acutely and chronically acting toxic gases and vapors. Studies
have validated that toxic gases and vapors are not just present during suppression activities but also
during the overhaul and investigation stages. The impact can be life threatening.
Crises are among the most daunting challenges for leaders. The very nature of true crises –
complex, high-consequence events that threaten physical, emotional, economic, and/or reputational health
– test a leader’s ability to discern what is happening and what is to be done. The word “crisis” derives
from the Greek “krisis” or decision. The contemporary understanding of the word stems from Middle
English usage of the medical Latin variant that means “the turning point in a disease,” when the patient
either lives or dies. These are the types of decisions today’s crisis leaders are asked to make in
situations ranging from forest fires to active shooter incidents.
With millions of passengers travelling each day by rail and subway in the United States alone, the passenger rail industry and the communities they serve are faced with difficult […]
A passenger train derails in an urban community. Whether caused by intentional or unintentional
factors, this incident would have consequences that go well beyond the rail company and the passengers
traveling in these fated rail cars. Surrounding companies and communities would be affected, hazardous
materials may be a threat, critical infrastructure beyond transportation could be impacted, cyber and
physical security could be at risk, and so on. Mitigating these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities
requires education, tools, and a desire to play a key role in disaster preparedness and response.
In the United States, there are ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Presidential directives, coupled with national security strategies and several iterations of the
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), have spanned the terms of at least four presidents and
included the rail system. The volume of activity on or near rail lines, potential threats, and
interdependencies all raise concern for the protection of this critical infrastructure asset.
The 2017 Emerging Homeland Security Issues panel met in December to discuss the current challenges of today’s threats, review risk management practices, assess means of strengthening interagency relationships, and to consider future resource requirements.
From coast to coast, communities across the United States are implementing solutions to address gaps that could hinder response efforts should a disaster occur. From special events to widespread natural […]
Each day, there are opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills as well as opportunities to share current knowledge and skills with others. This is especially true in the emergency […] 
Illegal manufacturing of fentanyl continues to rise and, with it, the dangers of clandestine drug laboratories to responders. Dangerous crime scenes like these are not limited to any one location. Responders everywhere need to prepare to encounter them at any point. Portable gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment can help hazardous materials (hazmat) response teams quickly identify white powders, like fentanyl, and associated cutting agents on-scene. 
Crises are among the most daunting challenges for leaders. The very nature of true crises –
complex, high-consequence events that threaten physical, emotional, economic, and/or reputational health
– test a leader’s ability to discern what is happening and what is to be done. The word “crisis” derives
from the Greek “krisis” or decision. The contemporary understanding of the word stems from Middle
English usage of the medical Latin variant that means “the turning point in a disease,” when the patient
either lives or dies. These are the types of decisions today’s crisis leaders are asked to make in
situations ranging from forest fires to active shooter incidents. 
With millions of passengers travelling each day by rail and subway in the United States alone, the passenger rail industry and the communities they serve are faced with difficult […] 
A passenger train derails in an urban community. Whether caused by intentional or unintentional
factors, this incident would have consequences that go well beyond the rail company and the passengers
traveling in these fated rail cars. Surrounding companies and communities would be affected, hazardous
materials may be a threat, critical infrastructure beyond transportation could be impacted, cyber and
physical security could be at risk, and so on. Mitigating these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities
requires education, tools, and a desire to play a key role in disaster preparedness and response. 
In the United States, there are ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Presidential directives, coupled with national security strategies and several iterations of the
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), have spanned the terms of at least four presidents and
included the rail system. The volume of activity on or near rail lines, potential threats, and
interdependencies all raise concern for the protection of this critical infrastructure asset. 