Incident Management Teams: A Blueprint for Success
William MacKay
February 25, 2009
Some time ago the nation’s firefighting community recognized the need for an efficient and effective method of managing wildland incidents that involve thousands of response personnel and cover hundreds of
'Wetware' and Other Technologies Supported Obama Inauguration
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
February 25, 2009
The swearing-in ceremonies, the parade, and the celebrations that followed were major successes. An even greater success was the behind-the-scenes preparations that ensured that nothing happened that was not supposed to happen.
Mergers, Volunteerism, and Cost Considerations
Joseph Cahill
February 18, 2009
Cut costs the easy way – by merging agencies, using more volunteers, and reducing services. The only problem is that agency employees might be unhappy, taxpayers might revolt, and elected officials might soon be looking for new jobs.
U.S. Fire Administration and National Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Issue an Updated Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Domestic Preparedness
February 18, 2009
The revised Health and Wellness Guide provides updated information on health and wellness issues, trends, and programs focused on the needs of the volunteer fire services. http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_321.pdf
New Focus on Private-Sector Preparedness Standards
Diana Hopkins
February 11, 2009
At last! A Federal Register notice asks the nation’s business community to comment on ideas that have been submitted to upgrade the disaster-preparedness capabilities of the U.S. private sector. Read,
Surge Prerequisites: Plans, Practices, Preparations
Theodore Tully
February 11, 2009
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are aware that surge capabilities have become increasingly important in dealing with mass-casualty incidents. But few really understand that many meanings are encompassed in that one word.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Releases Assessment of States' Operating Plans to Combat Pandemic Influenza
Domestic Preparedness
February 11, 2009
This report summarizes the status of States’ operating plans with respect to preparedness for, response to, and recovery from an influenza pandemic. http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/state_assessment.pdf
Situational Awareness the Key: Deterring Pirate Attacks Against Merchant Ships
Corey Ranslem
February 4, 2009
Pirates have been sailing the seas of the world from time immemorial. What some historians call the “golden age” of piracy started in the 16th century and continued into the
Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation: A Report by the Homeland Security Council
Domestic Preparedness
February 4, 2009
The purpose of this guidance is to give emergency planners nuclear detonation-specific response recommendations that maximize the preservation of life in the event of an urban nuclear detonation. http://hps.org/hsc/documents/Planning_Guidance_for_Response_to_a_Nuclear_Detonation_FINAL.pdf
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report on Homeland Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Management of Air Sovereignty Alert Operations to Protect U.S. Airspace
Domestic Preparedness
February 4, 2009
GAO recommends that U.S. Department of Defense be tasked to: (1) conduct routine risk assessments; (2) implement an air-sovereignty alert (ASA) program as a steady-state mission; and (3) develop other