Most recently published
Tailoring an Emergency Operations Plan
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
March 2, 2011
The old tailor’s maxim – “Measure twice; cut once” – is also a suitable approach to the writing of an all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan for a health department. Here is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to the planning, writing, reviewing, and approval processes necessary to the drafting, development, and dissemination
When High-Tech Fails: Back to Plan B
Joseph Cahill
March 2, 2011
Modern communications systems are a marvel to behold – and to use. And they keep getting better, generation after generation. The only problem, though, is that they sometimes fail, for inexplicable reasons and at the worst possible times. Which is why a backup system (pen and paper, perhaps?) is still
Public Health Emergency Resilience: The Next Challenging Step
Bruce Clements
February 23, 2011
The four keys to maintaining and improving the nation’s public health and emergency preparedness, according to HSPD-21 and other policy directives, are improved capabilities in bio-surveillance, countermeasures distribution, mass-casualty care, and community resilience. Considerable progress has been made in upgrading the first three of those essential “components” – but the
The Missing Leg of a Well Balanced Facility Security Platform
Joseph W. Trindal
February 23, 2011
The protection of high-value sites is one of the principal tasks spelled out in federal, state, local, and private-sector resilience policies and programs – most of which focus primarily on risk assessments, advance planning, and the implementation of effective security measures. A “fourth leg” – functional security testing – is
USCG’s Small-Vessel Security Strategy Ready for Launch
Corey Ranslem
February 23, 2011
It might look like a yacht and might even maneuver like a yacht. But it could be, instead, a cleverly disguised missile launcher, in yacht’s clothing, entering New York Harbor or coming up the Potomac to strike a new blow for Islamic fundamentalism and against the wicked American imperialists. Here
Private Sector Language: Resilience & the Supply Chain Element
Dennis R. Schrader
February 16, 2011
Bureaucratic Abstractions vs. Private-Sector Certitudes – that is one of the more difficult problems, it says here, behind at least some of the “communications difficulties” between public and private-sector resilience professionals. Merging the two vocabularies would be a common-sense way to remove some current obstacles to achievement of the same
The Three Ts of Terrorism – Finding the Facts in the News
Jordan Nelms
February 16, 2011
The Target hit, the Tactics used, and the Technology involved – all provide a wealth of information that can be used by everyday citizens to find out the “real facts” behind a terrorist incident and/or other mass-casualty event. Also not to be ignored is the telling clue, noticed only by
Pre-Exposure Anthrax Vaccination: A Horse & Cart Situation
Thomas K. Zink
February 9, 2011
On one side of the scale is “probably less than one gram of anthrax.” On the other side are an estimated six million doses of vaccine thrown away each year – as well as, quite possibly, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. It says here that the
Air National Guard Resumes Life-Saving CCATT Mission
Ellen Krenke
February 9, 2011
Despite facing some of the most deadly combat environments in the nation’s history, the d”saved rate” of forward-deployed U.S. military units on the frequently shifting battleground in Pakistan and Afghanistan is also at a record high – thanks in large part to the medics/corpsmen, doctors, nurses, and CCATT-enriched aerovac units
Disaster Resilience: An Emergency Manager’s Perspective
Kay C. Goss
February 9, 2011
Like the forward pass in football, “Resilience” was once a vague notion, theoretical concept, and interesting afterthought. In the past several years, though, it has become both the firm foundation for and operational imperative of a truly comprehensive preparedness plan. Here are some relevant comments from one of the nation’s
PTSD: Its Causes, Effects, and Possible Strategies
Joseph Cahill
February 2, 2011
It is now well documented that members of the nation’s armed forces who have been in combat later suffer from an extremely harmful aftereffect known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Many first responders face the same type of traumatic situations and display many of the same symptoms. What can/should
Storm Warnings: Communications and Utility Resilience
Omar Alkhalaf
February 2, 2011
After-action reports are valuable both in establishing precisely what went wrong, and why – particularly if used to ensure that the same mistakes are not made a second time. They are even more valuable, though, if used by other political jurisdictions as lessons learned to upgrade their own preparations and
DHS Announces Release of New Training Course: Workplace Security Awareness
Domestic Preparedness
March 5, 2011
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the availability of IS-906, Workplace Security Awareness, a no-cost training course developed by the department’s Office of Infrastructure Protection Sector-Specific Agency Executive Management Office. The online training now available provides guidance to individuals and organizations on how to improve security in the
Tailoring an Emergency Operations Plan
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
March 2, 2011
The old tailor’s maxim – “Measure twice; cut once” – is also a suitable approach to the writing of an all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan for a health department. Here is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to the planning, writing, reviewing, and approval processes necessary to the drafting, development, and dissemination
When High-Tech Fails: Back to Plan B
Joseph Cahill
March 2, 2011
Modern communications systems are a marvel to behold – and to use. And they keep getting better, generation after generation. The only problem, though, is that they sometimes fail, for inexplicable reasons and at the worst possible times. Which is why a backup system (pen and paper, perhaps?) is still
Public Health Emergency Resilience: The Next Challenging Step
Bruce Clements
February 23, 2011
The four keys to maintaining and improving the nation’s public health and emergency preparedness, according to HSPD-21 and other policy directives, are improved capabilities in bio-surveillance, countermeasures distribution, mass-casualty care, and community resilience. Considerable progress has been made in upgrading the first three of those essential “components” – but the
The Missing Leg of a Well Balanced Facility Security Platform
Joseph W. Trindal
February 23, 2011
The protection of high-value sites is one of the principal tasks spelled out in federal, state, local, and private-sector resilience policies and programs – most of which focus primarily on risk assessments, advance planning, and the implementation of effective security measures. A “fourth leg” – functional security testing – is
USCG’s Small-Vessel Security Strategy Ready for Launch
Corey Ranslem
February 23, 2011
It might look like a yacht and might even maneuver like a yacht. But it could be, instead, a cleverly disguised missile launcher, in yacht’s clothing, entering New York Harbor or coming up the Potomac to strike a new blow for Islamic fundamentalism and against the wicked American imperialists. Here
Private Sector Language: Resilience & the Supply Chain Element
Dennis R. Schrader
February 16, 2011
Bureaucratic Abstractions vs. Private-Sector Certitudes – that is one of the more difficult problems, it says here, behind at least some of the “communications difficulties” between public and private-sector resilience professionals. Merging the two vocabularies would be a common-sense way to remove some current obstacles to achievement of the same
The Three Ts of Terrorism – Finding the Facts in the News
Jordan Nelms
February 16, 2011
The Target hit, the Tactics used, and the Technology involved – all provide a wealth of information that can be used by everyday citizens to find out the “real facts” behind a terrorist incident and/or other mass-casualty event. Also not to be ignored is the telling clue, noticed only by
Pre-Exposure Anthrax Vaccination: A Horse & Cart Situation
Thomas K. Zink
February 9, 2011
On one side of the scale is “probably less than one gram of anthrax.” On the other side are an estimated six million doses of vaccine thrown away each year – as well as, quite possibly, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. It says here that the
Air National Guard Resumes Life-Saving CCATT Mission
Ellen Krenke
February 9, 2011
Despite facing some of the most deadly combat environments in the nation’s history, the d”saved rate” of forward-deployed U.S. military units on the frequently shifting battleground in Pakistan and Afghanistan is also at a record high – thanks in large part to the medics/corpsmen, doctors, nurses, and CCATT-enriched aerovac units
Disaster Resilience: An Emergency Manager’s Perspective
Kay C. Goss
February 9, 2011
Like the forward pass in football, “Resilience” was once a vague notion, theoretical concept, and interesting afterthought. In the past several years, though, it has become both the firm foundation for and operational imperative of a truly comprehensive preparedness plan. Here are some relevant comments from one of the nation’s
PTSD: Its Causes, Effects, and Possible Strategies
Joseph Cahill
February 2, 2011
It is now well documented that members of the nation’s armed forces who have been in combat later suffer from an extremely harmful aftereffect known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Many first responders face the same type of traumatic situations and display many of the same symptoms. What can/should
Florida’s Second Civil Support Team Passes Initial Evaluation
Thomas Kielbasa
January 26, 2011
In today’s violent world, no nation is ever fully prepared for a terrorist attack – and, therefore, never “fully safe.” The creation and deployment of highly capable National Guard Civil Support Teams, though – Florida’s 48th CST is a good example – is helping to bring the nation much closer
Health/Medical Factors Critical in Pre-Planned Events
Raphael M. Barishansky
January 19, 2011
FEMA, the FBI, and the Secret Service have primary jurisdiction, appropriately, for the safety of National Special Security Events. But the literally life-or-death responsibilities of local medical and healthcare facilities and personnel mandates that they also are fully included in the long-range planning sessions preceding such events.
Lessons Learned in Tampa: Special Event Preparedness
Sophia Paros
January 12, 2011
As emergency-management and other homeland-security professionals well know, the forward-looking terrorists of the 21st century are always looking for new ways to kill large numbers of peace-loving civilians at minimum risk to themselves. After all, why murder one or two people when 100 or even 1,000 or more are available
Air Guard Strengthens Stance for Homeland Defense, Civil Support
John Orrell
January 12, 2011
During and since World War II, those serving in the National Guard and Reserve components have more than lived up to their Churchillian designation as “twice the citizen.” Their long list of missions will increase significantly in the months and years ahead, though – particularly in the field of homeland
Using Virtual Worlds to Plan for Real World Challenges
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
January 12, 2011
The battle of Waterloo was won, Wellington said, “on the playing fields of Eton.” Today’s high-tech playing fields – simulators and training devices, primarily – are somewhat less vigorous, but arguably much more important and can be used to train veritable armies of professional responders, either as individuals or as
Pre-Planned Events: An Aid to Preparedness
Joseph Cahill
January 5, 2011
The shopping list for a typical marathon requires that a number of “comfort stations” be available – also some ambulances and EMS techs, plus police and/or volunteers to seal off and protect a mere 26 miles plus of roads, traffic circles, bridges, and other urban thoroughfares. So why not get
Intelligent EOC Design: Today & Tomorrow
James (Jim) Fulton
December 22, 2010
In ancient times – more specifically, the late 20th century – the emergency operations center was often whatever room at police headquarters, or in the Town Hall, happened to be vacant when the tornado struck. Today it is a well designed and properly equipped almost tailor-made space ready for use
Healthcare Emergency Preparedness: An Improved Game Plan for 2011
Mitch Saruwatari
December 15, 2010
The names of the players, the weekly practices, and the physical skills required may be different, but the principles are the same: Teamwork, advance preparation, proper coaching, and dedication are essential to final victory – whether the battle is on the football field, at the scene of a mass-casualty incident,
Leadership at the Scene of a Mass-Casualty Incident
Joseph Cahill
December 1, 2010
Not surprisingly, almost all media coverage of MCI situations focuses on the incident itself, the innocent victims, and the heroism shown by EMS techs and other responders. Little if any attention is paid, though, to the mundane organizational and administrative tasks involved in establishing an effective, well trained, and exceptionally
The Hospital ICS: Mainstream Solution, or Barely Used?
Craig DeAtley
November 24, 2010
Most but not all HICS policy guidelines have been deemed by the nation’s health-care community to be both reasonable and acceptable. And most but, again, not all are being incorporated into local emergency-response policies and guidelines as well. So the system is not yet perfect. It is headed in the
The Limits of Detection: A New Horizon Beckons
Chris Weber
November 24, 2010
To enter, or not to enter? That is the first and most important question facing first responders arriving at the scene of a major incident where there is reason to believe the area may be contaminated by biological agents. Lives are at stake, though, so quick decisions are mandatory, and
Hospital Emergency Departments – Infectious Diseases: The First Line of Defense
Theodore Tully
November 24, 2010
Very few Emergency Departments in U.S. hospitals can cope with a major outbreak of infectious diseases. But there is much that could & should be done before an outbreak occurs. Improved communications between and among all major medical facilities in the same geographic area should be the first priority, along
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