COMMUNICATION & INTEROPERABILITY ARCHIVES
Setting Examples for Disaster Preparedness
Catherine L. Feinman
February 28, 2018
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 disasters, this edition of the DomPrep Journal shares experiences and lessons learned from those who have firsthand accounts of these events and
Tribal Ham Radio Operators Cut Through the Storm
National Tribal Amateur Radio Association
February 24, 2018
In September 2017, the National Tribal Amateur Radio Association (NTARA) – in conjunction with the Fresno Amateur Radio Emergency Services Group and Tulare County Amateur Radio Club – set up and operated Amateur Radio Special Event Station W7NTV during the National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC) annual conference. Held at
Evolving Needs: Interoperable Communications
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group
February 21, 2018
During complex and large-scale incidents, first responders in the multi-jurisdictional National Capital Region (NCR) must be able to deploy and integrate with other public safety agencies in a timely and efficient manner. The NCR, for the purposes of this document, is defined as the District of Columbia and surrounding Virginia
New Emergency Rule: Challenge for Some, Good for All
David Reddick and Justin Snair
February 7, 2018
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a comprehensive emergency preparedness rule in 2016 that applies to nearly every healthcare provider in the nation, and outlines steps those providers must take to improve their preparedness and ensure sustainability in the face of a disaster. The rule compels healthcare
Incident Scale & the Need for Operational Resilience
John Contestabile and Richard Waddell
January 24, 2018
Numerous incidents occur every day in the United States, from simple/frequent events like automobile accidents, train derailments, and severe weather, to catastrophic/infrequent events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the Keystone pipeline leak to name just a few. By examining factors related to the incident and
Preparing for a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack
Deanne Criswell
January 17, 2018
Complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs) are exactly as the name implies: large-scale attacks that are multifaceted, well-planned, and often involve multiple perpetrators. These individuals are often unknown to law enforcement, making them difficult to identify during pre-operational planning activities. Because of their size and complexity, these types of attacks far
ARTful Leadership & Disaster Management
Eric J. McNulty
December 27, 2017
Disaster preparedness and response professionals had a front-row seat for the turbulence in 2017. A historic hurricane season left first responders and the communities they serve struggling to keep up. Fires continue to ravage the west. Active shooter and terrorism incidents keep everyone on edge. Infectious disease outbreaks remain a
Mass Fatality Research – New York & Beyond
Terry Hastings and Katie Joel
December 20, 2017
Low-probability, high-consequence situations, such as mass fatality events, often stress or overwhelm local response capabilities within a very short timeframe. The ability to handle these situations differs greatly depending on the size of the jurisdiction affected and its readily available resources. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Emerging Threats to Rail Infrastructure: Part I, Freight
Joseph W. Trindal
December 6, 2017
There is a desire for some bad actors to target rail systems, especially the hazardous materials freight rail network. This threat underscores the need for the rail transportation industry to maintain and strengthen partnerships with federal, state, and local authorities.
Protecting the Homeland From Nefarious Drone Use
Richard Schoeberl and Kendall J. Smith
November 22, 2017
The 2016 Legislative Session of the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 147 requiring the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to establish minimum standards and approve best practices no later than 1 July 2017 for a school emergency response system. The new guidelines are helping to improve school
So Much More Than Having a Kit & Making a Plan
Catherine L. Feinman
November 20, 2017
For years, emergency preparedness professionals have been preaching the message, “Have a Kit, Make a Plan.” As a result, everyone is now ready for the next disaster … of course not. In its latest survey, DomPrep explored levels of preparedness, reasons why people do not plan, as well as possible
Critical Infrastructure Partnerships – Prioritizing Assets
Christopher Ryan
November 15, 2017
A key early step for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) programs is to identify and prioritize the most important facilities and assets for maintaining community safety, normalcy, and quality of life. Within single jurisdictions, CIP program managers typically choose prioritization criteria to determine the most critical assets. However, developing customized prioritization
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