
Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool
Catherine Feinman
March 29, 2023
Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, critical information and data

TSA Administrator testifies about FY24 proposed budget that improves security, efficiency and traveler experience
Domestic Preparedness
March 29, 2023
During testimony today before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske discussed the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for TSA.As

FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray
Domestic Preparedness
March 29, 2023
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a

DHS’s new Operation Blue Lotus has Already Stopped More Than 900 Pounds of Fentanyl From Entering the United States
Domestic Preparedness
March 23, 2023
DHS announced that Operation Blue Lotus, a new coordinated and surge operation targeting the smuggling of fentanyl, stopped more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from coming into the United States

Guidance for Preparing Professionals Mentally for the Worst
James Greenstone and Weldon Walles
March 22, 2023
Professional groups have debated and researched the best practices relating to the standards and quality of care sufficient to maintain minimum standards during a disaster. Due to the fluid

Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness
Chris Sheach
March 22, 2023
Communicating preparedness messaging is simple. According to sociology professor Benigno Aguirre, messages should be clear, understandable, accurate, credible, and specific. Messages should also be universal, timely, self-validating, and available everywhere. If the entire population received all information the same way, this would indeed be simple. However, public information officers know that there is no single communication solution for every situation. It is essential to use multiple forms of messaging to ensure people receive the message, whether they are at work, at home, at school, etc. It is a constant challenge to identify vulnerable populations within the community and then determine how and where they will receive messaging, use language they find clear, understandable, and believable, know from whom or what source they draw credibility and validation, and what triggers will prompt them to be decisive and take appropriate action in a timely manner.

A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery
Robert J. (Bob) Roller
March 15, 2023
Federal government-wide disaster planning dates to the Cold War-era Federal Response Plan (FRP) and similar documents that described how the United States would respond to nuclear war and severe disasters.

Tornadoes – Adapting Plans for a Changing Environment
Cameron Gonteski
March 15, 2023
Weather is constantly changing due to an evolving climate. Meteorological trends throughout the 21st century have pointed toward more variability in severe weather, specifically for tornadoes. For example, there has

CISA Made Progress but Resources, Staffing, and Technology Challenges Hinder Cyber Threat Detection and Mitigation
Domestic Preparedness
March 13, 2023
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity, responsible for coordinating cyber incident response and mitigation.

Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan
Domestic Preparedness
March 10, 2023
The Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan (FIOP) guides federal departments and agencies (hereafter “federal agencies”) in executing the response and recovery mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal to achieve Unity of Effort through coordination and communication