HAZMAT ARCHIVES
ASTM-E 2458: A Mandatory Sample of Common Sense
Jason Pastuch
June 13, 2007
HazMat and EMS technicians across the nation will be working from the same text, thanks to new biological-sampling techniques developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Lethal New Ingredients in the IED Inventory
Glen Rudner
May 23, 2007
As incidents of domestic and international terrorism occur with greater frequency, U.S. first responders have another important problem to contend with – they are encountering certain unfamiliar types of explosives that are now being used by terrorists. The most common of these “new” explosives – which have been in the
The Homeland-Security Advantages of Telework
Tom Davis
May 23, 2007
One of the nation’s most highly respected Congressional leaders points out that “the Telework Option” for federal employees is not just another employee “perk” but an easy way to cut commuting costs and, just maybe, save hundreds or thousands of lives.
Interdicting a Suspected Suicide-Homicide Bomber
Joseph Steger
May 16, 2007
In the war on terrorism at home, facing a suspected suicide/homicide bomber is one of the greatest street challenges facing U.S. law-enforcement officers today. Police officers have to swiftly and effectively evaluate physical and behavioral characteristics that may (or may not) indicate a suspect’s possession of an improvised explosive device
John F. Clark, Director, U.S. Marshals Service
John F. Morton and John Clark
May 16, 2007
Clark’s views on the security improvements already achieved, and the areas in which a greater effort is needed. Also discussed: The USMS’s Special Operations and Technical Operations Groups, and the support provided to state and local L-E agencies.
MCCs and the Financing of Interoperability Solutions
Gary Simpson
May 2, 2007
It is no secret that U.S. communications capabilities during recent times of disaster have ranged from unsatisfactory to poor to, at best, marginally acceptable. One need only look at the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the numerous communications failures during and in the aftermath of
Question – Is Anthrax Present, Too Long to Wait for an Answer
Kate Rosenblatt
April 25, 2007
Homeland-security experts believe the worst-case scenario for future terrorist attacks will involve biological-warfare agents such as anthrax rather than nuclear weapons. Which is why the numerous delays in the anti-anthrax program have aroused concern.
The Rationale for a Pessimistic Preparedness Planning Scenario
Michael Allswede
April 18, 2007
For most U.S. hospitals, planning for a mass-casualty disaster is an administrative afterthought. The result, frequently, is a counterproductive “game plan” based on rosy optimism and unproven assumptions.
Real Resources and Real Reforms: A Report from the Committee Chairman
Bennie G. Thompson
April 18, 2007
The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security promises fast and effective action – and the provision of “real resources” – to improve U.S. domestic preparedness across the board, to protect American lives & the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Communicating in a Crisis Is Different
Barbara Reynolds
March 28, 2007
Crises and catastrophes are and will continue to be among the eternal verities of human life. Coping with them successfully requires effective communications – clear, concise, confident, and comforting.
Personnel Staffing in Times of Disaster
Joseph Cahill
March 14, 2007
Three modes of operation, two of which might strain the trained EMS personnel resources immediately available but would not overwhelm them. Preparing for the third mode, a sudden mass-casualty scenario, must be done carefully and thoughtfully.
A Long Litany of Difficult Questions – But No Short and Easy Answers
James D. Hessman
March 14, 2007
DPJ’s editor in chief comments on several important homeland-defense and national-security issues now in the news, and asks some relevant questions not usually addressed by the national media – and either evaded or ignored by the members of Congress.
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