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Oil leak from Ship , Oil spill pollution polluted water surface

Psychosocial Hazards: Preventing Human-Caused Disasters

Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster.
Read More »
Sad, little boy near destroyed house.

Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Child Survivors

Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Providing psychosocial support is essential in helping them cope with these challenges, thereby building resilient communities.
Read More »
Plant sprouting amid forest fire embers

How I Became an Accidental Disaster Mental Health Specialist

Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery. The lessons from those experiences now serve as a guide and
Read More »
Firefighter appearing distressed sitting on side of fire truck.

Physical and Mental Injuries in First Responders: Why Wait?

First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. To truly support first responders, mental wellness must be fully integrated into recruit training programs and proactively addressed throughout their
Read More »
A group of language interpreters, including a sign language interpreter

Not Lost in Translation: A Multilingual Corps Approach

Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
Read More »
a large room with computers and monitors and computers on the wa

Disaster Stress Management in an Emergency Operations Center

Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress. Secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership, so managing this stress is vital for effective emergency response.
Read More »
Full length of fireman drinking coffee while sitting in truck at fire station

A Holistic Strategy for Responders’ Well-Being

First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
Read More »
Comms Strike Team - Yancey County

Bridging Communication Gaps: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invisible breakdown of communication systems intensified the sense of isolation and
Read More »
5G mobile signal Communication Mast (cell tower) Super fast data streaming concept. 3D illustration.

Connectivity: The Foundation of Disaster Response and Preparedness

In an era of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the demands on first responders have never been greater. To navigate high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations, reliable connectivity and cutting-edge technology are essential. A fast, secure, and resilient communications network is the backbone of any effective disaster response.
Read More »
Aerial view of burned down houses from wildfire

Emergency Alerts: The Missing Link

As satellite-to-cell technology grows more common, cell phone makers must move quickly to adopt it. This link can bridge emergency services and the public, no matter the disaster or condition of ground networks. Learn how real-time satellite communication saves lives by offering vital access for users and first responders.
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Women of different ethnicities participate in a group therapy session, sharing experiences and offering support.

Caring for the Affected at Family Assistance Centers

In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identification, assistance with repatriation of remains, and reunification efforts. Discover
Read More »
Oil leak from Ship , Oil spill pollution polluted water surface

Psychosocial Hazards: Preventing Human-Caused Disasters

Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster.
Read More »
Sad, little boy near destroyed house.

Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Child Survivors

Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Providing psychosocial support is essential in helping them cope with these challenges, thereby building resilient communities.
Read More »
Plant sprouting amid forest fire embers

How I Became an Accidental Disaster Mental Health Specialist

Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery. The lessons from those experiences now serve as a guide and
Read More »
Firefighter appearing distressed sitting on side of fire truck.

Physical and Mental Injuries in First Responders: Why Wait?

First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. To truly support first responders, mental wellness must be fully integrated into recruit training programs and proactively addressed throughout their
Read More »
A group of language interpreters, including a sign language interpreter

Not Lost in Translation: A Multilingual Corps Approach

Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
Read More »
a large room with computers and monitors and computers on the wa

Disaster Stress Management in an Emergency Operations Center

Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress. Secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership, so managing this stress is vital for effective emergency response.
Read More »
Full length of fireman drinking coffee while sitting in truck at fire station

A Holistic Strategy for Responders’ Well-Being

First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
Read More »
Comms Strike Team - Yancey County

Bridging Communication Gaps: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invisible breakdown of communication systems intensified the sense of isolation and
Read More »
5G mobile signal Communication Mast (cell tower) Super fast data streaming concept. 3D illustration.

Connectivity: The Foundation of Disaster Response and Preparedness

In an era of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the demands on first responders have never been greater. To navigate high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations, reliable connectivity and cutting-edge technology are essential. A fast, secure, and resilient communications network is the backbone of any effective disaster response.
Read More »

A Regional Approach to Public Safety Communications Planning

Despite significant investments in public safety, critical training gaps for first responders persist. Regional planning committees, established by the FCC in the 1980s to manage public safety radio frequencies, remain key to improving interoperability. Learn about ongoing efforts—both regional and national—to close communication gaps and improve coordinated emergency response.
Read More »

Know the Audience: Five Keys to Effective Communication

Effective communication starts with understanding your audience—who they are, what they know, why they’re listening, and what they need to hear. Learn how this awareness can help you deliver a message your audience will understand, connect with, and remember.
Read More »

AI Software in 911 Dispatch Centers: An Innovative Solution

Coupled with continued staffing challenges, mental health and work-life balance difficulties in emergency call centers are cause for concern. By allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to take some of the burden off from existing staff and leadership, focus can be returned to where it is most needed within each center.
Read More »

Agriculture Security: Systems-Based Preparedness

As economies and populations grow, the food and agricultural security is of increasing concern. This demands proactive investment in risk management and security measures to ensure the sustainability of the global food supply.
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Farm to Power: New Hazards in Rural Communities

In the interest of reducing methane pollution and establishing a revenue stream for a renewable resource, dairy and livestock operators are creating mechanisms to produce compressed natural gas. This new technology reduces greenhouse gases but also introduces new hazards to rural communities.
Read More »

Podcast – Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview With Anthony Mangeri

Anthony Mangeri is an educator and seasoned leader in emergency management. He is the chief operating officer of the Mangeri Group and the immediate past president of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region 2. Learn about Anthony’s passion for his field and for the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
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Agroterrorism: A Persistent but Overlooked Threat

Agroterrorism is not new. Considered a subset of bioterrorism, it has become an increasing concern to the U.S. With so much of the agriculture sector in private hands, preparedness leaders must take extra steps to engage stakeholders and incorporate them into planning efforts.
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The Societal and Economic Dangers of Agroterrorism

While Ireland’s potato blight was destructive to the Irish population, modern agroterror attacks could be designed to hurt a nation’s economy rather than to kill its people. However, positively identifying agroterrorists would be a formidable task.
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Cost Analysis: Protecting the Grid and Electronics from an EMP

Because modern societies are increasingly reliant on electronics, they are more vulnerable to the effects of an electromagnetic pulse event. As nations move to electrify their critical infrastructure and essential services, the cascading effects of a power grid disruption increase their vulnerability.
Read More »

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