
Disaster Procurement: Navigating the Supply Chain
Brian McGinley
March 30, 2022
There are moments during a disaster that something needs to be purchased. Depending on the nature of the purchase, it could be something small, perhaps something that can be

Closing Preparedness Gaps – Timing Is Everything
Catherine L. Feinman
March 30, 2022
In some ways, communities are well prepared for emergencies. However, it is critical to
continuously assess systems, structures, models, and procedures to identify even small weaknesses and
gaps that can become significant impediments to effectively responding to threats, hazards, and risks.
The authors in this March edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal identify gaps and share possible
solutions for various critical infrastructure, public health, and physical safety vulnerabilities and
threats.

DHS Small Business Innovation Research to Host First Responder Technology Showcase
Domestic Preparedness
March 24, 2022
The DHS Science and Technology Directorate leads the Small Business Innovation Research program, which encourages startups with fewer than 500 employees to provide quality research, new processes, products and technologies in support of government missions. During the inaugural showcase, nine small businesses will present their technologies and answer questions.

DHS and DOJ Issue Rule to Efficiently and Fairly Process Asylum Claims
Domestic Preparedness
March 24, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice are issuing a rule to improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed.

Radiation Emergency Medical Challenges and a Global Pandemic
Ron Cain
March 23, 2022
It seems that every day over the past two years there are plenty of news stories covering the strain hospitals are facing in staffing shortages and the impacts from a global pandemic. Emergency medical services (EMS) are also dealing with their own similar issues across the nation. Many of these critical facilities and services are located in the proximity of nuclear power plants in which previous agreements were established to provide treatment, patient transportation, radiation monitoring, and decontamination in the event of a patient-generating event within a nuclear power plant’s emergency planning zones.

DHS S&T Seeks Solutions for Mitigating Threats to Soft Targets
Domestic Preparedness
March 17, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate announced a new solicitation to help mitigate threats toward soft targets and reduce attacks in crowded places. The Securing Soft Targets topic call is looking for cutting-edge solutions that can identify and mitigate new and emerging threats both in the United States and around the world.

PNT Signals as National Critical Infrastructure
Nathan DiPillo
March 16, 2022
Several national critical functions and all 16 critical infrastructure sectors rely either directly or indirectly on functional and consistent position, navigation, and timing (PNT) signals. As such, fragility of

DHS S&T Seeks Information on Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Domestic Preparedness
March 14, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate released a request for information about commercially available self-contained breathing apparatus to meet the needs of emergency responders. The technologies will be considered for inclusion in a market survey being conducted by S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Report to the Secretary of Homeland Security Domestic Violent Extremism Internal Review: Observations, Findings, and Recommendations
Domestic Preparedness
March 14, 2022
At Secretary Mayorkas’ direction, a cross-Departmental working group of senior officials conducted a comprehensive review of how to best prevent, detect, and respond to potential threats related to domestic violent extremism within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS S&T Awards Funding to Auburn University for Detection Canine Research and Development
Domestic Preparedness
March 11, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate announced a $24 million contract, awarded over five years, to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine to support research & development in the detection canine field.