EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARCHIVES
Illinois – Lessons From a Radiological Incident Exercise
Shay Simmons and Curtis Hawk
April 23, 2014
When a radiological incident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. However, the frequency and probability of such incidents limit many jurisdictions from being fully prepared and trained. Illinois officials understand the threat and conduct annual exercises to ensure that jurisdictions in and around its nuclear facilities are ready for their
Radiological Detection – A Strategy for Changing Public Opinion
Joseph W. Trindal
April 23, 2014
The use and acceptance of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for the law enforcement community is changing, with a great potential for broader uses. By integrating radiation sensors with UAVs, law enforcement officers could better intercept suspected threats. However, the public is not yet “”sold”” on the concept of such
Civil Support Teams 101 – Removing Misconceptions
Gordon Hunter
April 23, 2014
A DomPrep report published in March 2014 revealed some misconceptions about a valuable resource provided by the National Guard. Civil support teams provide no-cost assets to local jurisdictions for incidents, trainings, and exercises. As threats and missions evolve, local agencies should be familiar with all the tools in their toolboxes.
The ‘Dirty’ Details About Explosive Devices
Courtney Gavitt
April 16, 2014
The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings caused confusion, frustration, and anger when race marshals abruptly ended the event. The consequences, though, could have been much greater had the initial reports been true. Knowing what makes a dirty bomb “dirty” is the first step to ensure the health and safety of all
Death – Breaking the Bad News
Joseph Cahill
April 2, 2014
The American Heart Association reported that, in 2011, the average survival rate to hospital discharge for nontraumatic cardiac arrest patients of all ages after receiving treatment from emergency medical services (EMS) was 10.4 percent. As such, EMS teams play a key role in preparing the families of cardiac arrest patients
California – A Growing Response to Persistent Drought
Mark Ghilarducci
March 26, 2014
The average person in the United States uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. California’s multiyear drought has broken new records, created unprecedented reductions in water supply, and demands personal conservation techniques. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been leading the charge toward mitigating this widespread
Alaska – Building a Firm Foundation on Shaky Ground
John W. Madden
March 26, 2014
The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 did more than advance the study of plate tectonics, it demonstrated to the world that communities can be resilient following a catastrophic incident when everyone works together. In 2014, Alaskans will lead the nation in a full-scale exercise that will bring the earthquake from
Preparing for Extreme Weather Events
Kay C. Goss
March 19, 2014
The United States has received significant attention for its extreme weather events in 2014, with the worst drought in recorded history in California and significant moist snow, sleet, and ice in the eastern and southern states. The year 2013 had its share of extreme weather, as well, including:Winter Storm Nemo’s multiple
Natural Disasters: Challenges & Opportunities
Stephen Grainer
March 19, 2014
Diverting a tornado, deflecting high winds, and steering a hurricane away from landfall are not within the scope of practice for emergency planners and managers. However, planning and training for a large-scale natural disaster with the right tools will help jurisdictions prepare for both common and uncommon incidents.
Ten Winter Issues Every City Should Address
Crystal Kline and Kim Fuller
March 12, 2014
City officials rely on accurate weather forecasts to make decisions, but weather has proven to be difficult to predict. When a city is caught off-guard, officials must make many difficult decisions while the nation watches. It is imperative to know how to address severe weather incidents before the next snow,
Rising Waters & Tough Decisions
Margaret Davis
March 12, 2014
The benefits of owning a beach property come with a great risk of flooding. As Superstorm Sandy demonstrated in 2012, the National Flood Insurance Program cannot sustain rebuilding efforts at the existing insurance rates. This means making difficult choices: build and incur significant costs; raise properties into the air; or
Preparing for the U.S. Tsunami Threat
Christa Rabenold
March 5, 2014
The 50-year anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunamis serves as a reminder that the United States is still vulnerable to such threats. Advancements in earthquake and tsunami science, coupled with preparedness efforts to create awareness and exercise plans, are helping agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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