Emergency Management Archives

The Forefront of Innovation in Training & Exercises: Disaster Gaming

Arthur J. Simental February 12, 2025

Disaster wargaming may significantly change the future of tabletop exercises in emergency management and homeland security. Long used effectively to win and prevent wars throughout history, wargaming offers more realistic and engaging scenarios for emergency managers to prepare for real-world disasters.

U.S. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization: Emergency Preparedness Implications

Tanya M. Scherr February 12, 2025

As the U.S. contemplates withdrawing its membership from the World Health Organization, there are potential impacts on both local and global emergency preparedness and response to consider. Emergency managers should evaluate their current programs to determine ramifications in their local sectors.

Keeping Humans in the Loop: The Future of Emergency Management

Justin Kates and Emily Martuscello February 5, 2025

The emergence of powerful artificial intelligence tools generates excitement and apprehension, raising profound questions about the future of emergency response. By adopting the joint cognitive systems paradigm, emergency managers are offered a new way of thinking about their work in this environment.

Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success

Jarod Rosson January 29, 2025

As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’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.

All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery

Tucker Berry January 29, 2025

As demonstrated by hurricanes Helene and Milton, jurisdictions unaccustomed to compounding incidents can bolster their readiness to simultaneously respond and recover by proactively examining and preparing for unique challenges posed by such a scenario.

Nonmedical Concerns for Hospitals in a Mass-Casualty Incident

Joanmarie Verrico Wallster and Michael Prasad January 22, 2025

Nonmedical concerns such as security and safety, unaccompanied minors, and governmental relations can adversely impact a hospital when responding to a mass-casualty incident. Failure to plan for these issues, including consequence management, could risk life and safety.

Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Major Rhonda Lawson

Major Rhonda Lawson January 22, 2025

Rhonda Lawson is a major in the chief’s office of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Division. She began her 27-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1997 as a trooper. In 2012, Lawson transferred to the Texas Division of Emergency Management as captain and deputy Operations Section

Preparing for the Next Biothreat: Lessons Not to Forget

Christy Anderson January 15, 2025

In 2024, senior officials from hospitals, healthcare organizations, public health, emergency management, and other responder communities convened at two workshops to share the lessons they learned as leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their lessons learned can help communities better prepare for the next biothreat.

Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities

Kay C. Goss January 15, 2025

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

Jamie Hannan and Kristina Clark January 8, 2025

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

Greg Hoffnung January 8, 2025

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.

A Data-Driven Approach to Police Recruitment and Retention

Glenn Fueston and Michael Breslin December 26, 2024

From the rise of advanced criminal networks and borderless crimes to the persistent hurdles of limited resources, inadequate training, and outdated tools, law enforcement departments navigate an increasingly demanding landscape. Big data and artificial intelligence can help build and maintain this critical public safety workforce.

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