Most recently published
Question – Is Anthrax Present, Too Long to Wait for an Answer
Kate Rosenblatt
April 25, 2007
Homeland-security experts believe the worst-case scenario for future terrorist attacks will involve biological-warfare agents such as anthrax rather than nuclear weapons. Which is why the numerous delays in the anti-anthrax program have aroused concern.
The Rationale for a Pessimistic Preparedness Planning Scenario
Michael Allswede
April 18, 2007
For most U.S. hospitals, planning for a mass-casualty disaster is an administrative afterthought. The result, frequently, is a counterproductive “game plan” based on rosy optimism and unproven assumptions.
Real Resources and Real Reforms: A Report from the Committee Chairman
Bennie G. Thompson
April 18, 2007
The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security promises fast and effective action – and the provision of “real resources” – to improve U.S. domestic preparedness across the board, to protect American lives & the nation’s critical infrastructure.
George C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, Executive Director, American Public Health Association (APHA)
John F. Morton
April 18, 2007
The APHA leader’s authoritative views on bioterrorism preparedness, the new challenges facing public-health officials in planning to cope with mass-casualty situations, the quarantine and isolation processes, & the threat posed by a pandemic influenza.
The Either/Or Dilemma: Hard Choices Ahead in Materials Management
Joseph Cahill
April 4, 2007
Preparing for an emergency is like packing for a long trip: Focus on the essentials first, and always consider the possibility of a worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, some communities and hospitals are making cost reductions their highest priority.
Richard Mirgon, Second Vice President, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officals (APCO)
John F. Morton and Richard Mirgon
April 4, 2007
His views on the enhanced capabilities made possible by the National Joint TERT Initiative and a host of related issues, including FEMA report requirements, the financial aspects of mutual-aid agreements, and the NCR’s new wireless broadband network.
Personnel Staffing in Times of Disaster
Joseph Cahill
March 14, 2007
Three modes of operation, two of which might strain the trained EMS personnel resources immediately available but would not overwhelm them. Preparing for the third mode, a sudden mass-casualty scenario, must be done carefully and thoughtfully.
The MOTR Process – Ensuring Unity of Effort in Maritime Security
Joseph DiRenzo III and Christopher Doane
February 28, 2007
Several U.S. government agencies have overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities in the enforcement of laws and treaties, particularly in maritime matters. For many years these agencies have from time to time responded independently to the same threat information, a practice that would seem to be an inefficient use of taxpayer money. The
Needed: A Comprehensive Medical Intelligence Picture
Asha M. George
February 28, 2007
Defeating the threat posed by biological weapons requires a mountain of relevant information, collated and translated into actionable data, and distributed to a broad spectrum of potential users.
Kevin Yeskey, M.D., Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Preparedness and Emergency Operations, HHS
Kevin Yeskey
February 21, 2007
His comments on, among other topics, NIMS compliance efforts, state drug and vaccine distribution programs, state and local response capabilities, and the role of IRCT team leaders.
IEDs, RDDs, and Other Improvised Hazards
Joseph Cahill
February 14, 2007
When it seems likely that explosives have been used in a mass-casualty incident or “event,” the personnel responding must remember that additional, and bigger, explosions might soon follow and that they, the first responders, may be the target.
Pandemic Preparedness: The Driver for Most Suppliers
John F. Morton
January 31, 2007
Question: Is the United States prepared to deal with a biological-warfare attack? Answer: Not yet – but the nation’s private-sector biotech labs are working closely with state, local, and federal governments to detect, prevent, and/or deal with an attack.
APHL Position Statement: Field Testing Kits, Devices Must Be Validated
Chris Mangal
April 25, 2007
The Association of Public Health Laboratories says, without proper validation, field tests of suspected biological and/or chemical agents might yield either false positives or, worse, false negatives & therefore would be, “dangerously misleading.”
Question – Is Anthrax Present, Too Long to Wait for an Answer
Kate Rosenblatt
April 25, 2007
Homeland-security experts believe the worst-case scenario for future terrorist attacks will involve biological-warfare agents such as anthrax rather than nuclear weapons. Which is why the numerous delays in the anti-anthrax program have aroused concern.
The Rationale for a Pessimistic Preparedness Planning Scenario
Michael Allswede
April 18, 2007
For most U.S. hospitals, planning for a mass-casualty disaster is an administrative afterthought. The result, frequently, is a counterproductive “game plan” based on rosy optimism and unproven assumptions.
Real Resources and Real Reforms: A Report from the Committee Chairman
Bennie G. Thompson
April 18, 2007
The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security promises fast and effective action – and the provision of “real resources” – to improve U.S. domestic preparedness across the board, to protect American lives & the nation’s critical infrastructure.
George C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, Executive Director, American Public Health Association (APHA)
John F. Morton
April 18, 2007
The APHA leader’s authoritative views on bioterrorism preparedness, the new challenges facing public-health officials in planning to cope with mass-casualty situations, the quarantine and isolation processes, & the threat posed by a pandemic influenza.
The Either/Or Dilemma: Hard Choices Ahead in Materials Management
Joseph Cahill
April 4, 2007
Preparing for an emergency is like packing for a long trip: Focus on the essentials first, and always consider the possibility of a worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, some communities and hospitals are making cost reductions their highest priority.
Richard Mirgon, Second Vice President, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officals (APCO)
John F. Morton and Richard Mirgon
April 4, 2007
His views on the enhanced capabilities made possible by the National Joint TERT Initiative and a host of related issues, including FEMA report requirements, the financial aspects of mutual-aid agreements, and the NCR’s new wireless broadband network.
Personnel Staffing in Times of Disaster
Joseph Cahill
March 14, 2007
Three modes of operation, two of which might strain the trained EMS personnel resources immediately available but would not overwhelm them. Preparing for the third mode, a sudden mass-casualty scenario, must be done carefully and thoughtfully.
The MOTR Process – Ensuring Unity of Effort in Maritime Security
Joseph DiRenzo III and Christopher Doane
February 28, 2007
Several U.S. government agencies have overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities in the enforcement of laws and treaties, particularly in maritime matters. For many years these agencies have from time to time responded independently to the same threat information, a practice that would seem to be an inefficient use of taxpayer money. The
Needed: A Comprehensive Medical Intelligence Picture
Asha M. George
February 28, 2007
Defeating the threat posed by biological weapons requires a mountain of relevant information, collated and translated into actionable data, and distributed to a broad spectrum of potential users.
Kevin Yeskey, M.D., Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Preparedness and Emergency Operations, HHS
Kevin Yeskey
February 21, 2007
His comments on, among other topics, NIMS compliance efforts, state drug and vaccine distribution programs, state and local response capabilities, and the role of IRCT team leaders.
IEDs, RDDs, and Other Improvised Hazards
Joseph Cahill
February 14, 2007
When it seems likely that explosives have been used in a mass-casualty incident or “event,” the personnel responding must remember that additional, and bigger, explosions might soon follow and that they, the first responders, may be the target.
Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response andChief Preparedness Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
W. Craig Vanderwagen
January 24, 2007
His views on, among other topics, his department’s disaster-response missions, capabilities, and accomplishment; the PHS’s team-orientation approach; IRCTs and the HHS “deployable force”; resiliency & prepositioning; and tsunamis & other natural disasters
The Highway Watch Program: Homeland Security on the Open Road!
Joseph DiRenzo III and Christopher Doane
January 17, 2007
The innovative DHS/ATA “Highway Watch” program enlists tens of thousands of professional drivers as “Irregulars” in the homeland-security volunteer community and, as a bonus, makes the nation’s highways and byways safer for all Americans.
The EMS Community Looks to the Future
Joseph Cahill
January 10, 2007
The era of “us versus them” is over. In times of disasters affecting the entire local population, all private-sector as well as public agencies must pool their resources in a common effort.
Pandemic Flu Vaccine – Still No Silver Bullet
Jerry Mothershead
December 20, 2006
Several years have passed since the first H5N1 outbreak and there have been speeches, studies, and statistics galore – but few if any nations are even half-prepared to deal with the consequences of a major pandemic.
Imperatives for the Training of Medical Staff
Michael Allswede
December 13, 2006
The U.S. private-sector health care system is probably the best in the world. But it is not prepared to deal with mass-casualty incidents, lacks the funding needed to expand beyond current capacity, and suffers from certain shortages.
Behind the Mask: EMS, Influenza, and Respiratory Protection
James Mason
December 6, 2006
A high-efficiency mask, a procedure mask, an SCBA, or a PAPR – which shall it be? The correct answer determines whether the wearer is part of the solution, or becomes another part of the problem.
Dr. Michael G. Kurilla, Director of the Office of BioDefense Research Affairs and Associate Director for BioDefense Product Development, NIAID
John F. Morton and Michael G. Kurilla
November 8, 2006
Podcast DomesticPreparedness met with Dr. Michael G. Kurilla, Director of the Office of BioDefense Research Affairs and Associate Director for BioDefense Product Development, NIAID. The NIH director for biodefense research and associate director for biodefense product development at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) discusses NIAID’s biodefense
Pro and Con, Yea and Nay – Experts’ Dialogue on the New HICS Guidebook
Michael Allswede and Jerry Mothershead
November 8, 2006
A Point-Counterpoint discussion of California’s new Hospital Incident Command System Guidebook, its strengths and weaknesses, its applicability to the “business” of medicine in the United States, and how it can be used to deal with real-life scenarios.
Midterm Elections – Change Is Certain
Martin D. Masiuk
November 8, 2006
Preparedness to protect and respond against natural and man-made disasters still remains paramount. How will first responders, public health and borders/ports fare under new Congressional leadership? Will there be outreach or gridlock?
CBRNE Weapons – What’s in a Name?
Joseph Cahill
November 1, 2006
A primer for the everyday citizen: The vocabulary of terror grows in both size and scope as modern technology makes weapons of mass destruction cheaper, deadlier, and more universally available.
The Need for a National Port Readiness Standard
Gavin O'Hare
October 25, 2006
A terrorist attack on a U.S. seaport could be much more costly, in lives as well as dollars, than the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the WTC Towers. The DOD Readiness Reporting System could be a good model for a DHS maritime-security variant.
Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security
Vayl S. Oxford
October 25, 2006
Oxford’s views on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the DNDO partnerships with state and local agencies, and a broad spectrum of forward-looking R&D programs and initiatives.
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