Joint Statement by Secretaries Raimondo and Mayorkas on Assessment of Critical Supply Chains Supporting the Information and Communications Technology Industry
Domestic Preparedness
February 25, 2022
Directed by President Biden as part of the executive order on America’s supply chains, the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security evaluated the current supply chain conditions for select hardware and software products
Application of the Cynefin Framework to COVID-19 Pandemic
Judy Kruger and Romeo Lavarias
February 23, 2022
Since the spring of 2020, variables such as mistrust of government leaders, anti-maskers, and economic concerns complicated COVID-19 community response. The Cynefin framework is a sensemaking theory in the social sciences to create a framework for emergency managers in large-scale events.
DHS CWMD and Seattle Conduct a Biological Threat Preparedness Exercise
Domestic Preparedness
February 23, 2022
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), Seattle area emergency managers, public health officials, laboratory officials, and first responders conducted a virtual tabletop exercise of the BioWatch program.
DHS S&T and Israeli Partners Announce Call for Proposals for Advanced Technologies in Homeland Security
Domestic Preparedness
February 23, 2022
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Israel Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) have partnered on the jointly funded Binational Industrial Research and Development Homeland Security (BIRD) Homeland Security program.
Four Key Elements of Crisis Prevention
Catherine L. Feinman
February 23, 2022
A crisis can occur when a situation becomes unstable, circumstances suddenly change, or tension and
stress heighten. However, not all events need to reach the level of a crisis or disaster if proper
preventative measures are taken. Preparing for and possibly preventing a crisis mean thinking outside
the box, creating good habits, developing a plan, and then implementing that plan.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure Supports Community Resilience
Ryan Colker
February 16, 2022
With communities around the globe feeling the effects of climate change, society must continue to prioritize initiatives that address its causes and impacts. For example, in mid-December 2021, 61 tornadoes formed in the central U.S. when such intense events are unusual, and Texas and Oklahoma saw a winter storm and freezing temperatures in February 2021. Additionally, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. experienced 20 major disasters in 2021 totaling $145 billion in damages and resulting in 688 deaths – ranking as the second-highest number of events, the third-highest cost, and the sixth highest deaths. Coupled with the continuation of high-powered storms with the rising costs of construction, labor, and materials, communities run the risk of entering an endless cycle of destruction and rebuilding.
Domestic Preparedness Journal Offers “Articles Out Loud”
Domestic Preparedness
February 16, 2022
The Domestic Preparedness Journal recognizes that emergency preparedness professionals are incredibly busy, and often on the road. To give you more opportunities to benefit from the articles in the Journal, each week you will be able to download the article for the week in Articles Out Loud on www.domesticpreparedness.com.
USDA Increases Efforts to Protect U.S. Poultry and Expands Wild Bird Surveillance for Avian Influenza
Domestic Preparedness
February 15, 2022
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing the expansion of wild bird surveillance for avian influenza to include the Mississippi and Central Flyways.
Secretary Becerra Announces HHS Purchase of 600,000 Treatment Courses of New Monoclonal Antibody That Works Against Omicron
Domestic Preparedness
February 14, 2022
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra is announcing that the federal government has purchased 600,000 treatment courses of a new monoclonal antibody treatment that data shows works against the Omicron variant.
CBP Officials Implemented Rapid DNA Testing to Verify Claimed Parent-Child Relationships
Domestic Preparedness
February 14, 2022
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) piloted Rapid DNA technology to verify claimed parent-child relationships. ICE HSI implemented Rapid DNA testing at 11 locations across the southwest border.
