Commentary

Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool

Catherine Feinman March 29, 2023

Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, critical information and data can sometimes be misused, not effectively leveraged, not shared, or simply ignored. In these scenarios, it is more difficult to accurately predict and mitigate threats and hazards, adequately prepare for emergencies and disasters, and efficiently respond to future incidents when lives and property are at…

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Technological Strategies for Organizational Leadership

Nathan DiPillo February 22, 2023

Article Out Loud Integrating information technology (IT) into emergency management and public safety agencies involves balancing technological limitations with the organizational mindset. Finding this balance has been discussed in practice, academia, and across multiple disciplines, with friction sometimes emerging between the leadership mindset, staff, data, training, and implementation. For example,

Threat Awareness – Actions Now Mitigate Disasters Later

Catherine Feinman February 22, 2023

Reducing or eliminating the long-term risks associated with natural, human-caused, or technological disasters begins with an awareness that specific threats exist. For example, a Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States and was shot down on February 4, 2023. The exact level of threat that it posed and the amount

Strong Foundations – What Every Disaster Plan Needs

Catherine Feinman January 25, 2023

The initial goal of a disaster plan should be to avoid the disaster. The secondary goal should be to respond effectively when a disaster cannot be avoided. To be clear, the disaster here is not a hurricane, earthquake, flood, wildfire, tornado, or even human attacker. These are simply examples of

How One Town Stood Up to a Category 4 Storm

Jennifer Languell January 4, 2023

When Category 4 Hurricane Ian crossed Florida in September 2022, more than 4 million Florida homes and businesses lost power. However, one town kept the lights on and was spared the devastation the cities surrounding it faced. With resilience and sustainability in mind, this author shares the planning involved in

Commentary Archives

Publisher’s Note: Auld Lang Syne (A Chance to Recollect and Restore)

MacGregor Stephenson December 28, 2022

As we come to the end of a challenging year and a tumultuous period, please know that your efforts are appreciated, and the sacrifices of you

Building Strength in Workforce and Structure

Catherine Feinman December 21, 2022

Each person plays a critical leadership role, from top leadership to frontline workers. The authors in the December edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal share

The Importance of Strong Leadership for a Unique Discipline

Catherine Feinman December 21, 2022

A transformational leadership style can help bridge relationship and communication gaps between leaders and other community stakeholders. Learn how one young deputy fire chief learned from

Find Chances to Make Positive Changes

Catherine Feinman November 30, 2022

Emergency preparedness and response professionals willingly insert themselves into many emergencies and disasters that they could have avoided in other professions. However, they use these

Avoiding the Complacency Trap After This Hurricane Season

Mark Misczak November 23, 2022

Despite punishing hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida, the 2022 season has been relatively quiet for much of the Gulf coast and Atlantic seaboard. This

PPD-44: Implications for Domestic Incident Management

Robert J. (Bob) Roller November 23, 2022

An essential national incident management guidance document is finally available to responders nationwide. This document will significantly improve a unified response to and recovery from

We Want to Hear from You!

Domestic Preparedness November 16, 2022

Interested in sharing your thoughts on ways to improve the Domestic Preparedness Journal? Willing to help by participating in a 60-minute market research interview? We’re

The Role of Faith in Disasters

Michael Prasad November 9, 2022

Many faith-based organizations have disaster response and recovery components as major elements of their own missions. By partnering with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, faith-based groups

Training the Next Generation of Cyber Guardians

Steve Stein November 2, 2022

Despite small local governments being overrun with malware, ransomware, and myriad other threats, it is difficult to find experienced cybersecurity professionals. Meanwhile, students search for nonexistent entry-level