Intelligent EOC Design: Today & Tomorrow
James (Jim) Fulton
December 22, 2010
In ancient times – more specifically, the late 20th century – the emergency operations center was
often whatever room at police headquarters, or in the Town Hall, happened to be vacant when the tornado
struck. Today it is a well designed and properly equipped almost tailor-made space ready for use 24/7.
And tomorrow’s EOC will be even better – almost futuristic, in fact.
A Breath of Fresh Air: The Best Respiratory Protection at the Most Reasonable Cost
Gary Dunn
December 15, 2010
Continuing budget constraints will make it very difficult for agencies at all levels of government
– including the nation’s armed forces and homeland-security departments – to upgrade their “hardware”
inventories during the coming year. For first responders, getting the most protection for the lowest
acceptable cost could be a breathtaking challenge. Literally.
Healthcare Emergency Preparedness: An Improved Game Plan for 2011
Mitch Saruwatari
December 15, 2010
The names of the players, the weekly practices, and the physical skills required may be different,
but the principles are the same: Teamwork, advance preparation, proper coaching, and dedication are
essential to final victory – whether the battle is on the football field, at the scene of a
mass-casualty incident, in an ambulance, or in the hospital emergency room.
Lessons Learned: Mass Casualties and Communication Gaps
Sophia Paros
December 8, 2010
Emergency communications is key to incident management – and critical, both during and following, mass-casualty incidents (MCIs). On 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers detonated bombs between 8:50 a.m. and
A Mandatory Need for Gold Standard Sampling
Rodney Hudson
December 8, 2010
The sampling of toxic gases, vapors, etc., at mass-casualty scenes can be no better than the
equipment used to gather the sample, whether intended for on-scene analysis or at a fully qualified
laboratory. Lives are at stake, which means strict adherence to gold-standard measurements: at the
scene, in the lab, and on the protective clothing worn by first responders.
Leadership at the Scene of a Mass-Casualty Incident
Joseph Cahill
December 1, 2010
Not surprisingly, almost all media coverage of MCI situations focuses on the incident itself, the innocent victims, and the heroism shown by EMS techs and other responders. Little if any attention is paid, though, to the mundane organizational and administrative tasks involved in establishing an effective, well trained, and exceptionally capable team of experienced professionals.
Bringing Greater Life-Saving Capabilities to the Incident Scene
Brad Stobb
December 1, 2010
Coming soon: New and highly capable CERFPs and better- trained and -equipped WMD CSTs. The acronyms
are daunting and impossible to pronounce, but they represent another quantum leap in U.S.
homeland-preparedness capabilities, with special significance at the state, local, and community levels
of government.
