CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHIVES

Agroterrorism: A Persistent but Overlooked Threat

Agroterrorism is not new. Considered a subset of bioterrorism, it has become an increasing concern to the U.S. With so much of the agriculture sector in private hands, preparedness leaders must take extra steps to engage stakeholders and incorporate them into planning efforts.

Cost Analysis: Protecting the Grid and Electronics from an EMP

Because modern societies are increasingly reliant on electronics, they are more vulnerable to the effects of an electromagnetic pulse event. As nations move to electrify their critical infrastructure and essential services, the cascading effects of a power grid disruption increase their vulnerability.

Imagining the U.S. Without Power: A Dual-World EMP Exercise

A dual-world tabletop exercise simulating an electromagnetic pulse event in Chicopee, Massachusetts, revealed startling discrepancies in outcomes between the cityā€™s current preparedness and a moderate-preparedness simulation.

Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success

As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Managementā€™s Hurricane Helene Incident Support Task Force, Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a disaster when all ground-based forms of communication are offline.

Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities

In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter and accommodated over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Those accommodations, though, were inadequate, with limited power, plumbing, and other resources. To avoid a similar scenario, the Mission Ready Venue Initiative enables stadiums to be a resource for immediate

Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool

During a derecho in May 2024, Texas agencies contacted and conducted wellness checks on residents with disabilities or with functional and access needs. One tool facilitated the process, sharing critical information about registrants to the emergency responders and planners who needed to know.

Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table

Despite their critical role in disaster response, public works agencies are not always included in the emergency planning process. To bridge planning gaps, public works should be integrated into emergency response efforts. Key steps can help ensure that these and other agencies can more effectively respond to the next disaster.

The Role of AI in Meeting a Great Emergency Management Challenge

AIā€™s ability to ingest and synthesize data on hazards and vulnerabilities could prove invaluable in addressing one of the biggest long-standing challenges of emergency management: truly engaging the whole community.

Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management

Recent research into the relationship between AI and emergency management uncovered an environment prepared for AI-based solutions. While AI must overcome some infrastructure hurdles, technologies to prevent, mitigate, and recover from emergencies are on the horizon.

Emergency Management of Tomorrow: Emerging Technologies and Concepts

More frequent and intense disasters put pressure on emergency managers and emergency operations centers to share and analyze data faster than ever before and with more reliability and defensibility. The future of emergency management is changing fastā€”and so is the science and technology to protect it.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Weaponized Drones

Electricity substations are traditionally only protected by chain link fences and signage warning of the dangers of high voltage. However, this still leaves property vulnerable, especially to weaponized drones attacking from above, a mode of terrorism being used more extensively across the world and at home.

Why Messaging Matters: A Regionalized Approach to Alerts and Warnings

Effective, timely, and unified communication across jurisdictions is essential for saving lives. The 2015 ExxonMobil refinery explosion highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, cross-jurisdictional alerting. Emergency managers, public safety officials, and policymakers must come together to prioritize a fully integrated alerting system. It is no longer a luxury but a

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