FIRE ARCHIVES
Evacuation in the United Kingdom: Reshaping Policy
Andy Oppenheimer
July 28, 2010
The “9/11” attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in New York City differed in several respects from the “7/7” bombings of the London transit system. But both of these mass-casualty disasters led to the belated public recognition of terrorism as a clear and present danger – and, from there,
Emergency Management: An International Focus
Kay C. Goss
July 28, 2010
The International Association of Emergency Managers provides a golden example by demonstrating how global-outreach programs can benefit all members of a specific professional community – and, not incidentally, the varied publics they serve. Here is a must-read insider’s report from a recognized U.S. expert.
Preparedness: Protecting Facilities Against CBRN Threats
David W. Cullin
July 21, 2010
“The year 2013” is the best-guess estimate of a high-level government commission of when the United States “can expect a terrorist attack…[involving] nuclear or biological materials.” Which means there is very little time left to prepare for Armageddon. A senior corporate executive and highly respected scientist offers his views on
The Order of Saint John: Chivalry Is Not Dead
Joseph Cahill
July 14, 2010
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies are a microcosm of medicine throughout the world. Although there is some variation in the details, EMS units in all industrialized countries are much the same as in the United States. The main variation is the nature of the staff providing care – i.e., some
REPORT FROM SPAIN: The Andalusian Approach
Alvaro Pemartin
July 14, 2010
“To each his own” – four little words with a host of different meanings, depending on the circumstances, but understood (and sometimes even followed) in every nation of the world. Another warning to the wise: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” And, it says here, “When in Andalusia
All Hazards Evacuations: All Means Every Disaster & Everyone
Kay C. Goss
June 23, 2010
No one – whether they be political decision makers, first responders, or individual citizens – will ever be satisfied with less than perfect safety. But major advances have been made in detection, deterrence, and response. One of the most important but relatively unpublicized advances is in the field of crowd
When Time Stops: Family Support After a Mass-Casualty Incident
Joseph Cahill
June 16, 2010
The rapid growth of mass-casualty incidents in recent years has led to much-needed new rules – now formulated at the federal level – to not only notify victims’ families and friends, and usually the media as well. Implementing those rules requires organizational skills, advance planning, compassion, and an uncommon measure
NIMS/ICS Case Study: Evacuation & State-Managed Shelters
Stephen Grainer and Patricia Snead
June 16, 2010
If a hotel has been overbooked most people go to another hotel just a block or two away. That solution does not work when a mass-casualty incident requires the evacuation of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of citizens. Immediately. Which is why local evacuation plans must anticipate the need for additional sheltering
The Times Square Bombing Plot: What It Means For America
Neil C. Livingstone
June 9, 2010
Experts in aviation safety have long recognized that what is described as a “near miss” is actually a “near hit.” The Times Square bombing attempt deserves the same unflinching judgment: Disaster was avoided not because of the superior competence of DHS and TSA, but because of the greater incompetence of
Exercise Boosts Communication Capabilities of Emergency Responders
Domestic Preparedness
June 4, 2010
Nearly 20 federal and regional agencies took part in an exercise on 20 May at Joint Force Headquarters in Madison (WI) to learn, among other things, if they could communicate with one another in the event of a real emergency.
Meeting the Challenge: Public Health Emergencies & the Special Needs Populations
Bruce Clements
May 26, 2010
Dealing with earthquakes, hurricanes, and/or terrorist attacks is difficult enough for first responders as well as emergency managers. Add to that, though, the need to protect, provide medical care for, and/or possibly transport people suffering from various medical problems makes the challenge exponentially more difficult. Once again, advance planning and
Preparing for Unexpected Hospital Surges
Jennifer Smither
May 26, 2010
Some of the best “solutions” create other problems, as Canada found out during the 2003 SARS outbreak. Once again, the best way to avoid such secondary problems is through advance planning, plus training and exercises, with all stakeholders involved every step of the way.
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