Averting Disaster – A Multi-Tier Approach
Catherine L. Feinman
May 30, 2018
Disasters can take many forms – naturally occurring like a volcanic eruption or solar flare, human-caused like a terrorist attack or radioactive material release, or technological like a cyberattack or data breech. Although a specific threat or hazard may be unavoidable, whether it eventually becomes a “disaster” is not a certainty. Averting disaster requires making the right decisions at the right time – from the crisis leaders to the boots on the ground.
A Race Against Time: Canine/Handler Teams Prep for Disaster
Omar Bourne
May 23, 2018
New York City has various disaster preparedness teams that are specially equipped to manage many
types of threats. One such team involves canines trained to perform search and rescue tasks. Canines
have helped save lives at critical times following disasters such as 9/11, when finding survivors among
rubble and debris is especially challenging. A Dutch Shepherd named Diesel is one responder who
currently works with New York City Police Department to prepare for the next disaster.
Detecting & Preventing Nuclear/Radioactive Materials
Ian Pleet
May 16, 2018
This case study from a 2015 deployment to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp in Fuji, Japan, demonstrates effective ways to detect and prevent unwanted nuclear and radioactive materials from being brought aboard an overseas USMC installation. The author was deployed as the emergency manager (EM) with the collateral duty of being the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) protection officer (CPO). Upon arrival, the commanding officer also appointed him to serve as the alternate antiterrorism officer, with full support from his contracting company, Camber Corporation.
Cascading Consequences: Electrical Grid Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability
George H. Baker and Stephen Volandt
May 9, 2018
If there were a prolonged nationwide, multi-week or multi-month power failure, neither the federal government nor any state, local, tribal, or territorial government – acting alone or in concert – would be able to execute an effective response. This bleak outlook results from understanding that so many critical infrastructures depend on electricity. As such, effective recovery cannot be expected through top-down assistance alone. Without electric power, the goods and services essential to protect life and property would be at risk by day three or perhaps longer depending on preparedness levels. Consequently, it is vital that citizens, households, communities, businesses, and governments be as informed and prepared as possible.
White Paper: Orthogonal Detection Can Help Save Firefighters Lives in the Overhaul Stage ofOperations
Domestic Preparedness
May 9, 2018
Building materials, furnishings, paints, plastics, and electronics found in today’s buildings have
the potential to burn or decompose into acutely and chronically acting toxic gases and vapors. Studies
have validated that toxic gases and vapors are not just present during suppression activities but also
during the overhaul and investigation stages. The impact can be life threatening.
Turning Five Crisis Leader Pitfalls Into Opportunities
Domestic Preparedness
May 2, 2018
Crises are among the most daunting challenges for leaders. The very nature of true crises –
complex, high-consequence events that threaten physical, emotional, economic, and/or reputational health
– test a leader’s ability to discern what is happening and what is to be done. The word “crisis” derives
from the Greek “krisis” or decision. The contemporary understanding of the word stems from Middle
English usage of the medical Latin variant that means “the turning point in a disease,” when the patient
either lives or dies. These are the types of decisions today’s crisis leaders are asked to make in
situations ranging from forest fires to active shooter incidents.
