Life is beginning to return to normal following the past two years of the pandemic, but the world is still as unpredictable as ever. When it seems as though one […]
The ānew normalā following the COVID-19 outbreak is still evolving. Although some people have welcomed the relief from many years of commuting and focused on personal growth and time with […]
The Nashville Christmas bombing provides valuable lessons about targeted violence incidents. This research on pre-attack indicators shares four key takeaways for law enforcement and other preparedness professionals to understand regarding lone wolf and leaderless resistance attacks. Knowing other pre-attack indicators may help thwart a future attack even when the motive is unknown.
Telemedicine capabilities have become valuable medical tools to provide life-saving treatment to patients where and when needed. Similarly, off-site skills and knowledge can be transferred to on-site law enforcement personnel through teleforensics to identify and thwart threats, while increasing crime clearances. This article describes how expanding capabilities, identifying needs, delivering instructions, and facilitating remote applications are examples of technology serving as a force multiplier across disciplines.
Public health preparedness has emerged and matured as a distinct discipline since the events of 9/11 and the subsequent Ameri-thrax attacks. Although, in the past, public health agencies were pushed to the forefront of various emergencies, the planning and infrastructure for public health emergency response were not funded and not in place until after 2001. This article describes the gaps that need to be addressed as the discipline continues to face public health emergencies worldwide.
Community lifelines ensure that businesses and the government can continue functioning and society can thrive. However, a breakdown in daily operations is inevitable when one or more lifeline is lost. In communications, this means a disruption in technology that has become interwoven into societal norms ā talking, texting, data transfer, social media, etc. This article shares possible solutions to the predictable loss of the communications lifeline.
To address the challenges that emergency preparednessāÆprofessionals face in an ever-changing threat
environment, the Domestic Preparedness Journal hosted a panel discussion at the Texas Emergency
Management Conference in San Antonio, Texas, on June 2, 2022. The multidiscipline panel was moderated by
James (Jim) Featherstone, a principal consultant at a crisis management consultant agency, Themata
Strategic LLC. Participants included the Texas Division of Emergency Management (Deputy Chiefs Suzannah
Jones and Country Weidler), Texas Department of Public Safety (Major Rhonda Lawson), Dallas Fire-Rescue
(Chief Dominique Artis), Amarillo Public Health (Casie Stoughton), and Texas Army National Guard,
Director Operations, Plans and Training (Colonel Robert Eason). This article summarizes the panelistsā
responses to questions that leaders should be asking themselves.
A tool designed with zero tolerance would not be able to function efficiently or effectively.
Likewise, taking a zero-tolerance approach to emergency preparedness and response has led to some
problematic policies and procedures. This article explains why building in some level of acceptability
would make policies and procedures more effective and communities more resilient.
When community stakeholders work together to prepare for emergencies and disasters, they will be
better prepared and have more resources to face whatever threats, risks, and hazards are in their
future. Four key aspects to consider when building community resilience are addressed in this June
edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal: public-private partnerships, training, funding, and
tolerance.
Japan is more prepared for future disasters due to communications and annual investments into exercises and drills with local and international partners. Tokyo Disney Resort leveraged private-public partnerships to increase preparedness in employees, guests, business services, critical infrastructure facilities, and government stakeholders to manage future disruptions caused by natural disasters. A private-public partnership helped align business needs and supported risk-information decision-making during a complex, large-scale disaster.