HAZMAT ARCHIVES
Surviving the First Disaster Deployment
Arthur (Art) Samaras
October 23, 2017
When runners compete in their first marathon or triathlon, they often set goals such as, āI hope to break four hours,ā or āI want to beat my brotherās time.ā However, a different mindset should be taken for a first attempt at an endurance event. Rather than placing benchmarks or targets,
Three Storms Demonstrate Five Forms of Flooding
John Englander
October 11, 2017
Flooding results from three primary forces: rainfall, coastal storm surge, and rising sea level, made even worse with by runoff and extreme tides. Recently, hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria showcased the new environmental conditions the world faces as well as the devastating damage that can occur when any combination of
Unmanned Aerial Systems & Emergency Management
Kay C. Goss
October 11, 2017
Long before the invention of drones, emergency managers determined the overall scope of a crisis using information from emergency personnel on the ground, and from the chain of command created through the Incident Command System. Today, drones have many capabilities that could enhance response activities and change the way disasters
National Safe Schools Week: Securing Learning Environments
Mark Williams
October 4, 2017
Studies show that childrenās learning improves when they feel both physically and emotionally safe. As āNational Safe Schools Weekā (16-20 October 2017) approaches, it is an appropriate time to discuss how to create these environments through safe schools programs in local communities across the United States.
Active Shooter Incidents: The Rescue Task Force Concept
Robert Mueck
September 20, 2017
The concept of the Rescue Task Force (RTF) came from the Arlington County (Virginia) Fire Department. Looking at active shooter events around the country, these fire department leaders created a model that enables emergency medical services (EMS) to provide emergency medical intervention faster and within the Incident Command System (ICS)
Helping School Districts Move Forward After Tragedy
Guy Grace
September 13, 2017
In fall 2013, the Littleton Public Schools District (Colorado), with great support from the community, passed an $80 million bond election for capital improvements within the school district. Immediately following the bond election, the Littleton Public Schools Security Department personnel began planning to implement their portion of the bond funds,
Rethinking Disaster Evacuation
Daniel M. Gerstein and Andrew Lauland
September 11, 2017
No two disasters are the same. Yet it is not unusual for officials to be confronted with a common critical public safety decision: whether to evacuate the public or advise them to shelter in place. This crucial decision, which is normally time sensitive, can set the tone for the remainder
Mass Fatalities ā More Than Just a Number
Ron Vidal and Catherine L. Feinman
August 30, 2017
A chemical spill, nuclear attack, biological agent, pandemic, hurricane, and numerous other threats and hazards have the potential to kill enough people to overwhelm any particular jurisdiction. Whether that number is 10 or 10,000 or more, the āunthinkableā can happen anywhere. On 16 June 2017, DomPrep hosted a panel discussion
Disasters Are About the People
Catherine L. Feinman
August 30, 2017
Hurricane Harvey has caused widespread destruction, and its aftermath continues to pose a significant threat to life and safety. In this and other large-scale incidents, the exact number of people affected is hard to determine because of the complex physical and social networks that exist within and between jurisdictional boundaries.
When Pandemic Management Meets Cybersecurity
Nitin Natarajan
August 28, 2017
When faced with a health crisis such as a pandemic, the primary objective is ensuring the health and well being of the public and finding the fastest and easiest method to limit the spread of disease and take care of those who are sick. Cyberthreats can hinder public health efforts
Mortuary Logistic Challenges of Mass Fatality Incidents
O. Shawn Cupp
August 25, 2017
Today in the United States, some in society are hesitant to acknowledge or plan for āfailure optionsā ā in other words, admit that the worst of the worst can happen. The military requires planning for just about every situation including when operations do not go as planned. However, those in
Plugging the Experience Drain in Hazmat Response
Christopher Wrenn
August 24, 2017
As a metaphor for picturing the maintenance of preparedness, imagine a number of 5-gallon buckets, where each one represents some aspect of readiness ā detection, personal protective equipment (PPE), communications, training, etc. Each bucket is filled with water andeally each would stay filled representing a steady state of preparedness.
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