Planning for Future Events Requires Updated Plans
Catherine L. Feinman
April 26, 2023
Threats, hazards, and risks change over time as numerous variables change. This means preparedness professionals must be forward-thinking when planning for emergencies and disasters. Past events can teach valuable lessons
Eclipses Again Will Darken the Sky in 2023 and 2024
Laurel J. Radow
April 26, 2023
An eclipse is not just about the sky getting dark. There are many considerations for emergency planners and public safety professionals to ensure the safety of their communities. Learn the lessons from the 2017 eclipse to better prepare for the next event.
Preparedness Promoters - Assessing Marginalized Populations
Maxwell Palmer
April 26, 2023
Certain populations are more vulnerable when faced with disasters. By adapting a public health model, community leaders can identify common vulnerability indicators and close the gaps between emergency management plans and target population vulnerabilities. Learn how.
Covenant School – Reviewing Another Tragic Shooting
Tanya M. Scherr and Daniel Scherr
April 19, 2023
The Covenant School shooting is another reminder of active shooter trends. This article reviews the chain of events from that tragic event, post-incident reviews, and what communities are and should be doing to prepare for and prevent future active shooter incidents.
Labor Trafficking – An Underreported Escalating Crisis
Richard Schoeberl, David Gonzalez and Anthony (Tony) Mottola
April 19, 2023
Labor trafficking affects many more people in the U.S. than sex trafficking, but it gets much less attention. Learn what the government is doing and what else community stakeholders can do now to better protect people from this growing threat.
TSA Awards Up to $1.3 Billion to Procure Additional CT X-Ray Scanners for Airport Checkpoints
Domestic Preparedness
April 18, 2023
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the award of three orders for a combined total value of up to $1.3 billion for Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to include up to 426 base,
Operation Blue Lotus Stops Over 4,000 Pounds of Fentanyl in First Month
Domestic Preparedness
April 18, 2023
DHS issued an update today on Operation Blue Lotus as part of the Biden Administration’s significant and historic actions to disrupt the trafficking of synthetic drugs, representing a major contribution
The DoD Defense Coordinating Element and How It Is Certified
Patrick McNiece
April 12, 2023
Besides the main mission of defending the homeland, Department of Defense capabilities also provide critical support to local, state, and federal civilian partners during major disasters. Learn how Army North’s defense coordinating element’s mission and composition ready their units to perform this additional mission when needed.
Biosafety Laboratory Issues and Failures
Robert C. Hutchinson
April 12, 2023
Concerns regarding unexpected biological incidents and their public health implications were discussed in a 2014 Domestic Preparedness biosecurity and bioterrorism article. From the improper possession and storage of decades-old live smallpox virus in a former Food and Drug Administration laboratory (lab) on the National Institute of Health (NIH) campus to the possible exposure to live Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agencies experienced lab accidents and made serious human errors. The biosafety lab concerns were not limited to these two serious incidents.
2023 International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference
Domestic Preparedness
April 10, 2023
The Hazardous Materials Committee of the International Fire Chiefs Association is happy to welcome attendees back in person for HAZMAT 2023! The International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference (HAZMAT) is a four-day
