COMMUNICATION & INTEROPERABILITY ARCHIVES
IT Preparedness: At Long Last, a Major DHS Priority
Jordan Nelms
January 11, 2012
In today’s complex world, information technology (IT) systems serve as both the intellectual libraries and operational brains of virtually all components of the vital infrastructures of businesses, utilities, and the organizations and agencies of all levels of government. For this reason, among others, the maintenance, protection, and preservation of IT
The Role of Social Media Before, During, and After a Disaster
Christina Spoons
January 4, 2012
The new all-hazards safety rule for young children, senior citizens, and everyone else in between: Don’t leave home without your smartphone. Be careful what you say, though – several billion people may be listening in… or looking in. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Ask anyone who has
Today and Tomorrow: Approaching the Mythical Tricorder
Christopher Wrenn
December 14, 2011
The detection and identification capabilities of today’s U.S. military and homeland-security units are still short of Starfleet status. But they are getting light years closer, thanks in large part to current and projected budget cutbacks that reward both versatility and creative thinking and punish those who do not see “the
Mapping: An Increasingly Valuable Emergency Management Tool
Kay C. Goss
November 30, 2011
Since the mid-19th century, the method for mapping disasters has evolved from hard-copy maps with manually plotted cases of cholera outbreaks to advanced satellite-based global information systems. The development, introduction, and use of a broad spectrum of GIS systems that can pinpoint – quickly, precisely, and on a continuing basis
Reasonable Search – Or Another ‘Big Brother’ Situation?
Richard Schoeberl
November 23, 2011
Which is more important – the preservation of civil rights, or a substantial (but unprovable) gain in homeland security? That is the question that the U.S. Supreme Court must answer as it ponders the numerous complexities in the controversial case known as United States v. Jones.
Joplin & Irene Force Changes in Hospital Evac Plans
Theodore Tully
November 23, 2011
Article Out Loud Significant changes in hospital emergency planning have taken place since and largely because of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hospitals, along with nursing homes, have had their safety and security requirements strengthened by regulatory and/or accreditation agencies to ensure that their emergency plans take into account how they
Emerging Technology Enables Mass Patient Evacuations
Bruce Clements
November 16, 2011
From time to time, hospitals themselves can be dangerous to a patient’s health. That is particularly true when a patient is being transferred or evacuated, and even more so when a large number of patients are being evacuated at the same time. This is precisely why RFIDs, JPATS, and GPS
The Impact of Tracking on Response Efforts
Omar Alkhalaf
November 2, 2011
From Post-It notes to high-tech wireless systems, the evidence – verified by a horrendous mass-casualty incident (MCI) in California and close calls in several other states – is clear: Rapid, comprehensive, and well-controlled communications are key to the mounting and management of an effective response. Adherence to the National Incident
Identifying Biological Hazards as They Happen
Joseph Cahill
November 2, 2011
Start at the beginning … or even earlier. The process for handling potential mass-casualty incidents – particularly when biological hazards are involved – is critical when lowering exposure risk and abating the spread of a toxic agent: Develop comprehensive response plans as far in advance as possible, gather the supplies
Public Health Lessons from Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee
Beth McAteer
October 19, 2011
Lee caused less damage and fewer fatalities, but vigorously reinforced the lethal lessons learned from Irene less than two months ago – namely, that: (a) There is absolutely no substitute for advance planning; (b) Planning must be as totally comprehensive, in every way, as is humanly possible; and (c) That
Building Resilience: Emergency Management Standards, Technology, and Training
Kay C. Goss
September 28, 2011
The term “Resilience” started out as a vague and ill-defined insiders’ buzzword, later escalated into a good idea, then became an operational goal, and eventually an equal partner with readiness, response, and recovery. In the last several years it has continued to evolve into a major area of operations and
Attaining Resilience: Getting From Here to There
Robert McCreight
September 28, 2011
Everyone is in favor of “good government” (at a reasonable cost). But a clear, complete, and universally accepted definition of what constitutes good government is almost impossible to find. The same holds true of “resilience” – which all responders, emergency managers, political leaders, and everyday citizens approve of – and
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