
Biodefense Indicators – One Year Later, Events Outpacing Federal Efforts to Defend the Nation
Domestic Preparedness
December 31, 2016
The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense released its report, A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Needed to Optimize Efforts, in October 2015. This is the one-year follow-up

Homeland Biodefense Science and Technology Capability Review
Domestic Preparedness
December 29, 2016
The Biological Defense Research and Development (BDRD) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Homeland and National Security conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the Nation’s biological defense

National Electric Grid Security and Resilience Action Plan
Domestic Preparedness
December 27, 2016
The Action Plan, released concurrently with the Joint United States-Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy, details the activities, deliverables, and timelines that will be undertaken primarily by U S

Reviewing the Department of Homeland Security’s Intelligence Enterprise: Fighting Terrorism by Addressing Key Gaps
Domestic Preparedness
December 22, 2016
After nearly a year of intense work, House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) released a comprehensive review of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of intelligence to counter

The Year of the Railway Station
Steven Polunsky
December 21, 2016
The year 2017 should be a great year for mobility and infrastructure in the United States. All signs are pointing to a robust economy, and policymakers are looking favorably on transportation projects – road, rail, air, public, private, and in between. In particular, the upcoming year will see a number of passenger rail projects moving forward.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Emergency Management
Darren E. Price
December 21, 2016
Responding to disasters is a critical function for first responders and the emergency management community. Rotary and fixed-winged aircraft have traditionally performed disaster response missions, such as overhead damage assessments, reconnaissance, and missing person searches. However, with the advancement of unmanned aircraft systems, there is an opportunity to perform conventional aerial missions in a safer, expeditious, and cost-effective manner.

Authoritarianism & the American Response: 2017 Forecast
Christopher Milburn
December 21, 2016
The threats facing the United States in 2017 largely stem from the challenge and response cycle set
in motion by the global rise of authoritarianism and violent fascism. Authoritarian leaders frequently
promise to restore national pride and return people to their lost golden age: a mythical world in which
life was thought to be better for the particular group. Scapegoating quickly follows, and violence is
rarely far behind.

Bombing an Ideology: No One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Richard Schoeberl
December 20, 2016
Stretching from Belgium to France, the United States to Iraq, the world has been blemished with terror attacks ranging from active shooter scenarios at entertainment venues, to plowing vehicles into crowded streets. Over the past decade, the United States has joined the global community of those exposed to the consequences and carnage associated with acts of terrorism.

Critical Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service
Domestic Preparedness
December 16, 2016
The U.S. Fire Administration and National Volunteer Fire Council have partnered to re-evaluate known issues, discover new or emerging concerns, and provide tools and resources to overcome health and safety

Tomorrow’s Emergency Management Capabilities
Jeffrey Kaliner
December 14, 2016
If someone were to walk into a high school classroom today and ask the students about their future professions, there may be one or possibly two students who wish to pursue emergency management. However, as much as the field has grown since 2001, emergency management is still not the dream career of the average high school student. It is much more likely that these students would consider more traditional fields in the business, health, or finance world.