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.
The increased reliance on emergency text alerts to receive warnings of natural or manmade disasters is a capability that most people have come to expect. Listening to broadcast radio warnings of severe weather happening miles away has transformed into more precise, geo-located alerts that target specific locations. The benefits of this technology are profound and should lead to people taking action when an alert comes in because they know that the threat is timely and accurate to their locations. New technologies could save many lives during future disasters.
Cyberattacks against local governments are becoming a new normal, yet the nation is not doing enough to prepare local health departments (LHDs) from such attacks. More than just a technological issue addressed by information technology (IT) professionals, cyberattacks can threaten lives and result in losses of integrity, availability, confidentiality, and physical destruction of assets. Cyberattacks can erode the trust and confidence communities have in LHDs and can introduce legal and liability issues when breaches of protected patient health information occur. LHDs should consider cyberattacks, and the myriad of nontechnical issues that may result, as part of their all-hazards preparedness efforts.
People, communities, businesses, and governments around the world are already experiencing the devastating human, economic, and environmental consequences of a changing climate. Many have been impacted by “acute climate shocks” such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and severe winter storms – resulting in the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. These five steps can help emergency managers build a path to enhance their climate resilience.
In January 2018, in New York City, a group of professionals – representing entities including the Department of Homeland Security, private contractors, hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (hazmat/WMD), law enforcement officers, and intelligence experts – gathered to discuss the emerging threats to U.S. passenger rail service. Not only are these threats pertinent to passenger rail service, but they also may potentially affect all mass gatherings and large venues across the country on any given day. Emergency planners and responders must determine the best way to mitigate such threats.
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.
People’s lives were changed forever on Tuesday, 11 September 2001. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, airport security was primarily focused on threats from guns and explosives. There was little worry about knives or sharp instruments. Even when detected at checkpoints, they were not often considered dangerous. Closing this security loophole came after these attacks, which spurred drastic security changes at all phases of the transportation system. However, this was not the first time such security has come into question. An historical review of terrorist tactics emphasizes the need to remain vigilant.
With new technology coming to market at a record pace, it can be difficult to know whether products are reliable, durable, and secure enough to make the nation’s emergency management professionals safer, better connected, and fully aware. The market is flooded with tools and capabilities that may be of benefit to first responders, but these tools need to be vetted for the rigorous technical, operational, and safety needs in the field.
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.
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. 
The increased reliance on emergency text alerts to receive warnings of natural or manmade disasters is a capability that most people have come to expect. Listening to broadcast radio warnings of severe weather happening miles away has transformed into more precise, geo-located alerts that target specific locations. The benefits of this technology are profound and should lead to people taking action when an alert comes in because they know that the threat is timely and accurate to their locations. New technologies could save many lives during future disasters. 
Cyberattacks against local governments are becoming a new normal, yet the nation is not doing enough to prepare local health departments (LHDs) from such attacks. More than just a technological issue addressed by information technology (IT) professionals, cyberattacks can threaten lives and result in losses of integrity, availability, confidentiality, and physical destruction of assets. Cyberattacks can erode the trust and confidence communities have in LHDs and can introduce legal and liability issues when breaches of protected patient health information occur. LHDs should consider cyberattacks, and the myriad of nontechnical issues that may result, as part of their all-hazards preparedness efforts. 
People, communities, businesses, and governments around the world are already experiencing the devastating human, economic, and environmental consequences of a changing climate. Many have been impacted by “acute climate shocks” such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and severe winter storms – resulting in the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. These five steps can help emergency managers build a path to enhance their climate resilience. 
In January 2018, in New York City, a group of professionals – representing entities including the Department of Homeland Security, private contractors, hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (hazmat/WMD), law enforcement officers, and intelligence experts – gathered to discuss the emerging threats to U.S. passenger rail service. Not only are these threats pertinent to passenger rail service, but they also may potentially affect all mass gatherings and large venues across the country on any given day. Emergency planners and responders must determine the best way to mitigate such threats. 
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. 
People’s lives were changed forever on Tuesday, 11 September 2001. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, airport security was primarily focused on threats from guns and explosives. There was little worry about knives or sharp instruments. Even when detected at checkpoints, they were not often considered dangerous. Closing this security loophole came after these attacks, which spurred drastic security changes at all phases of the transportation system. However, this was not the first time such security has come into question. An historical review of terrorist tactics emphasizes the need to remain vigilant. 
With new technology coming to market at a record pace, it can be difficult to know whether products are reliable, durable, and secure enough to make the nation’s emergency management professionals safer, better connected, and fully aware. The market is flooded with tools and capabilities that may be of benefit to first responders, but these tools need to be vetted for the rigorous technical, operational, and safety needs in the field. 
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. 