HAZMAT ARCHIVES
Innovations in Healthcare Disaster Management for Veterans
Jessica Wambach Brown
January 12, 2016
Although fewer than 40 percent of U.S. veterans receive care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the agency strives to have broad access to reliable medical care during a disaster. The Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center and its partners are exploring ways to improve healthcare resilience both inside
Children as the Catalyst for Change
Yuri Graves
January 6, 2016
The smallest members of a community have the potential to make the biggest changes. Smokey Bear was created in the 1940s to help prevent forest fires. “Duck and Cover” was created in 1951 to teach personal protection in case of a nuclear explosion. The 2010s need a new campaign to
Uncertain Impact of Critical Biosecurity Reports
Robert C. Hutchinson
January 6, 2016
Although many lessons have been learned from Ebola and other infectious diseases, planning needs are quickly diverted when the previous threat is overshadowed by another emerging or re-emerging disease, or other homeland security threat. However, without adequate prioritization, planning, and preparedness, the nation may be set for failure when the
The Art of Awareness for Emergency Medical Calls
Seth Komansky and Raphael M. Barishansky
December 23, 2015
Civilian responders have successfully acquired many skills that were originally developed by military services. Situational awareness is one such skill that would be beneficial to adapt to the civilian members of the emergency medical services. Maintaining a heightened sense of awareness would help responders stay “in the loop.”
Bioterrorism in a Technologically Advanced World
Christina M. Flowers
December 16, 2015
Recent advances in genetics, genomics, and biotechnology could have devastating implications for bioweapons and genetically engineered diseases. As such, these developments raise the question of whether it makes sense to pull attention away from “classic” biothreat targets, in favor of more technologically advanced options. Immediacy and ease of use may
Reimagining Epidemic Communications
Renske Erion, Emily Grubert, Simon Mosbah, Michelle Munyikwa, Biswajit Paul and Christine Tran
December 16, 2015
In the first week of December 2015, professionals involved in epidemic preparedness at the national level participated in a forum convened by graduate students from Emerging Leaders in Science and Society (ELISS), a leadership development program hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in Washington, D.C.
Food for Thought: Emergency Shelters & Food Allergies
Andrew R. Roszak
December 9, 2015
When one peanut has the ability to kill, it is necessary to examine the practices and procedures used in public yet confined spaces such as emergency shelters. By following simple steps, emergency managers are able to perform shelter operations while limiting exposure to allergens and contaminants that could turn a
Keeping It Simple – Low-Cost Technologies With High Payoffs
Timothy Moshier
November 25, 2015
Detection of hazardous materials can be a very costly endeavor. However, there are ways to simplify the process, reduce costs, and increase the performance of previously purchased legacy equipment. Leveraging the operating environment and informing personnel to make better decisions are two methods for achieving these goals.
Bringing the Gold Standard to the Front Line
Chris Petty
November 18, 2015
Clandestine laboratories are just one evolving threat that first responders face at unexpected times. As this and other types of threats evolve, so must the technology to monitor, detect, and analyze these seen and unseen dangers. High-pressure mass spectrometry is one such technology that is helping first responders perform these
Beyond Paris – A Growing Terrorist Threat
Richard Schoeberl
November 18, 2015
Paris is the most recent reminder of the barbaric acts of brutality and terrorism committed by the Islamic State. Although this extremist terror organization has committed despicable acts – such as crucifixions, beheadings, live burnings, and bombings – the threat of its brutality is expanding beyond Europe, with even deadlier
How the Nation Is Failing in Public Health Preparedness
Patrick P. Rose
November 17, 2015
As public health funding and staffing continue to decline, communities are left more vulnerable to the next catastrophic public health emergency. The United States is failing in its public health preparedness efforts. The nation’s resilience depends on the government and public health making critical changes to reverse this downward trend.
New Decontamination Resource – Information & Expertise
Craig DeAtley
November 11, 2015
A new federal resource equips healthcare providers with a valuable information repository. This resource also offers a way to request technical assistance and provides a forum for peer-to-peer discussions. Decontamination is just one of the many in-depth topics addressed by subject matter experts in the healthcare field.
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