Federal agencies are using lessons learned from past disasters to develop the holistic and dynamic
communications needed to improve behavioral changes and develop meaningful public dialogue and
engagement. Social motivation, social marketing, social media, social measures, and social models are
essential building blocks in the construction of a stronger, more resilient social enterprise.
The DomPrep Action Plan report includes key talking points for building and sustaining a resilient
nation. On 13 November 2012, Admiral Thad Allen, USCG (Ret.) – a former Coast Guard Commandant – and
other practitioners from across the nation gathered to discuss ways of bolstering collaboration,
sustaining collaborative networks, supporting sub-state regionalization efforts, and enabling frameworks
to assist public-private initiatives. Discussions such as this DomPrep Executive Briefing are a
necessary step in building and sustaining regional resilience.
High-stress situations can lead to errors in judgment. For emergency responders, such errors can
mean the difference between life and death. By using government and private-sector support systems
already available, responders can gain renewed confidence in their own abilities and perform their
operations with greater proficiency and efficiency.
Medical countermeasures save lives, but only if they are ready and available. By combining the
capabilities of pharmaceutical companies, the innovative technologies of smaller firms, and the
scientific expertise of academic institutions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be
in a better position to combat a future public health crisis.
The term “resilience” is often used but not always understood. By implementing the practices of business continuity, risk analysis and management, engineered systems, and supply chain management using whole of community efforts, the public and private sectors can find a common language and work toward
achieving true resilience.
Resilience is about mobilizing human potential, especially at the individual citizen and local government level. Through surveys and discussions, key professional decision makers from local, state, and federal governments, non-governmental organizations, and private-sector partners have provided both qualitative and quantitative feedback for building resilient regions. DomPrep has compiled that feedback into a report that lays out a tactical plan for sustaining a resilient nation.
By following the training and preparedness efforts practiced in Israel, the United States can move
toward a cohesive national strategized approach to provide line officers the ability to look beyond the
single incident before them. However, individual responders also must take the initiative needed to
develop and advance their own capabilities and training in order to apply those skills in extreme
situations.
The terrorist use of anthrax against the United States in 2001 pointed out the nation’s vulnerability to biological attack and need for rapid and sure response. Since that time, strengths and limitations of the current biodetection system have been discovered. To achieve a better preparedness posture, now is the time to reevaluate biodetection methods and build unity of effort at all levels of government.
There is general agreement that the best way to protect emergency responders against anthrax would
be to immunize them prior to an attack. But, despite the fact that millions of “expired” doses of
anthrax vaccine are routinely destroyed each year, many civilian responders still are not provided
pre-event vaccinations. This raises two questions: (a) Why? and (b) Why not?
The terrorist attacks on the United States in September 2001 emphasized the need to better protect
the nation against future threats. New government agencies were formed while existing agencies expanded
their roles in preventing, responding to, and recovering from a variety of natural disasters and other
emergencies. The Environmental Protection Agency is one such agency that is taking steps to improve
operational readiness at the national level.
Federal agencies are using lessons learned from past disasters to develop the holistic and dynamic
communications needed to improve behavioral changes and develop meaningful public dialogue and
engagement. Social motivation, social marketing, social media, social measures, and social models are
essential building blocks in the construction of a stronger, more resilient social enterprise. 