CBRNE

CBRNE Preparedness – The Necessary Prerequisites

Stephen Grainer March 30, 2011

It is taking longer than originally anticipated, but U.S. policies and plans to cope with future CBRNE incidents, accidental or manmade, are not only being published and implemented at the federal level (then revised and updated – if, as, and when needed) but also being replicated, in operational specifics, at the state and local levels of government as well.

National Level Exercise Roundtable

Kay C. Goss March 29, 2011

In the early 1800s, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in the southeast corner of Missouri, was the site of the largest earthquake in U.S. history. The question is not if another quake will occur in that area, but when will it happen. Listen to Kay Goss’s roundtable discussion on National Level Exercise 2011, which will address this pressing concern and help the nation be better prepared for the next “big one.”

The Complex Biology of Chemical Threats

Diana Hopkins March 23, 2011

Chemicals are chemicals and biologicals are biologicals, but there are some substances – particularly useful in terrorist attacks – that are a little bit of both. Here is a short list of some but by no means all of these potentially lethal substances now receiving greater attention not only from terrorist planners but also from CDC and the U.S. emergency-responder community.

CBRNE: Warnings Heard, But Not Heeded

Richard Schoeberl March 23, 2011

Question #1: Is the United States prepared to cope with new terrorist attacks in which CBRNE weapons are used to destroy the nation’s critical infrastructure and kill thousands of U.S. citizens at the same time? Answer: Not yet, but policy guidelines have been established and the long-range planning process has started. Question #2: Is there anything else that should be done?

Public Works Emergency Management – From Training to Reality

David Geary and Tracy Fessler March 23, 2011

For understandable reasons, major disasters – e.g., earthquakes and tsunamis – get most of the headlines and more of the public funds available even in economically difficult times. Local jurisdictions would be well advised, therefore, not only to focus greater attention on emergencies closer to home but also to ask for neighborly assistance if and when needed.

Concepts on Information Sharing and Interoperability

John Contestabile March 23, 2011

The distinguished former director of Maryland’s DOT Engineering & Emergency Services presents his knowledgeable views on the effective use of design to improve and facilitate not only all-hazards long-range planning but also incident-response capabilities and on-site effectiveness.

Finding Comfort Around the World

Catherine L. Feinman March 16, 2011

The Navy Hospital Ship USNS Comfort was pushed into the spotlight last year during its 60-day disaster-relief mission in Haiti following the massive 7.0 earthquake that struck that tortured island on 12

Implementing the National Health Security Strategy

W. Craig Vanderwagen March 16, 2011

Future Chemical Challenges: Common Operating Picture Needed to Manage Common Problems

Michael E. Forgey March 9, 2011

Future chemical challenges facing the United States far into the foreseeable future will be both more frequent and more deadly than those encountered in the halcyon years of the 20th century. Which is why the time is NOW to prepare to meet those challenges head-on and, if prevention does not work, to be much better equipped to deal with the lethal aftermath.

U.S. National Security: Does the Industrial Base Still Matter

Stephen Reeves March 9, 2011

Well, there is really only one buyer – the U.S. government. And the executive and legislative branches of that government are under extreme pressure to “cut the budget” as much and as quickly as possible. The only problem is that this year’s easy choices may never be available again. But that problem, of course, can be left to the next generation. If there is one.