Mass-Casualty/Medical-Surge Capabilities: Closing the Gap
Kay C. Goss
October 28, 2009
The U.S. government, and most major American cities, have worked diligently, and with considerable
success, since the 9/11 terrorist attacks to upgrade their homeland-defense capabilities. But “better”
is not the same as “enough” – and probably never will be.
Expanded Duty for EMS Techs: Tactical Decisions
Joseph Cahill
October 28, 2009
Most medium-sized or larger U.S. communities are now better prepared than ever before to cope with “routine” incidents such as car crashes and motorcycle accidents. But a much smaller number is able to deal with truly major incidents that stress not only the rescue equipment available but also the skills of the first responders on the scene.
Expanded-Duty EMS: Heavy Rescue
Joseph Cahill
October 28, 2009
Most medium-sized or larger U.S. communities are now better prepared than ever before to cope with “routine” incidents such as car crashes and motorcycle accidents. But a much smaller number is able to deal with truly major incidents that stress not only the rescue equipment available but also the skills of the first responders on the scene.
Communicating With the Public During a Pandemic Influenza
Amanda Rhyne and Sarah Weiss
October 28, 2009
The United States is home to probably the most ethnically diverse population in the world. That is a blessing in many ways – but it poses major difficulties for emergency-management officials and other leaders in times of crisis, when the responsibility of warning the public becomes a polyglot challenge.
Telemedicine: Funding Increases & Rapid-Paced Development
Diana Hopkins
October 21, 2009
It started with extremely low-tech audio communications, and in recent years telemedicine technology has spawned a spectrum of much more advanced systems and devices that are of literally life-or-death importance to many citizens in distress. But the paperwork – specifically including development and performance standards – has not kept up.
HLS & EM: Blueprinting the Future
Dennis R. Schrader
October 21, 2009
Today’s homeland-security and emergency-management professionals are highly skilled and exceptionally well motivated. Their second most important goal, though – after keeping the nation safe – is to ensure that their second- and third-generation successors are even more competent and capable than the first-generation leaders now setting the pace.
SAMU & EMS: The Principle Differences
Joseph Cahill
October 14, 2009
The goal is the same – doing the most good for the most patients. But there are several significant, and perhaps educational, differences between the way that French medical-response units are trained and operate as compared with their American counterparts.
NIMS & ICS: The Next Level
Stephen Grainer
October 14, 2009
 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) resumed the ânextâ series of its NIMS (National Incident Management System) Incident Command System (ICS) training in August with the delivery of eight
Organophosphates: A Clearly Present Danger
John Temperilli
October 14, 2009
Properly used, chemicals can benefit mankind in many ways. Improperly used – by terrorists, for
example – they can be more of a curse than a blessing, and as weapons of mass destruction could be even
more dangerous, over a longer period of time, than a nuclear missile.
The Unglamorous Side: Parking Lots, Manhole Covers, and Homeland Security
Neil C. Livingstone
October 7, 2009
The critical infrastructure of the United States is now better protected than it was before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The same cannot be said for the parking lots next to government buildings, power plants, and other possible targets – most of which can be entered through 22 million “access points” (aka manhole covers).
