Most recently published
Public Safety Grant Programs Changes – A 10-Year Review
Kurt Bradley
June 15, 2022
Article Out Loud Change is inevitable. As society continues to progress in the “digital age,” so has applying for various federal grant programs. It is becoming almost impossible to apply to these programs via a paper application, as in the past. To remain competitive when applying for these grants, it
The Risk-Based Approach to Hazardous Material/WMD Incidents
Tony Mussorfiti
June 8, 2022
Low-frequency, high-consequence events are rare, emergency responders still need to be able to evaluate these complex problems and determine initial actions. To avoid being overwhelmed and increasing the risks to both responders and civilians, emergency responders need to be able to quickly identify all potential hazards, then predict the outcome
Crowd Behavior & Elaborated Social Identity Modeling
Robert Leverone
May 25, 2022
Law enforcement agencies are tasked with protecting life and safety as well as the civil liberties of those within their jurisdictions. Crowds present even more complex and dynamic scenarios. However, this research on crowd psychology can help law enforcement officers navigate these complexities on an operational level. Being able to
Stop the Bleed Training for Immediate Responders
Andrew (Andy) Altizer
May 18, 2022
When an injury causes a life-threatening bleed, minutes matter. There may not be enough time for first responders to arrive on the scene, so immediate responders are needed. Knowing how to respond to this type of injury and being able to stop the bleeding are skills that everyone should learn.
Suburban Fire Operations: Five Lessons Learned
Randall W. Hanifen
May 11, 2022
From small fire companies covering large areas of rural land to large fire departments covering highly populated urban cities, suburban fire departments are tasked with a mixture of both. One firefighter who has spent his career in a suburban fire department shares the five key lessons he has learned throughout
Project Management Approach in Emergency Management
Adam Tager
May 4, 2022
Emergency managers are project managers. While the intersection between the two professions is not often explicitly highlighted, navigating the phases of emergency management largely follows the project management framework. Therefore, a deeper understanding of project management best practices can only serve to enhance the ability to help communities and
Best Practice: Auxiliary Radios for Healthcare Facilities
Ashleigh Holmes
April 27, 2022
When an emergency or disaster occurs, healthcare facilities require reliable communications for ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care. The New York City Emergency Management Department has revamped its City’s emergency radio communications program to ensure that critical information can be exchanged before the next incident. Their
A Growing Threat to Healthcare and Other Facilities
Rodney Andreasen
April 20, 2022
Active shooter and other violent incidents occur all over the country – in urban and rural areas, in big cities and small towns, in large and small facilities. Many examples demonstrate the need to understand and plan for them and the significant consequences that could follow. This article empowers the
Securing & Protecting the Nation’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Raymond Walker and Chandler Lofland
April 13, 2022
The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack in May 2021 exposed the urgent need to safeguard and upgrade the critical infrastructure systems in the United States. Congress acknowledged that the government lacks the authority to require private companies – which own, operate, and protect 85% of the nation’s critical energy infrastructure assets –
A Foot in the Door – The Value of Internships
Sambavi Jani
April 6, 2022
Experience required. Many jobs require wide-ranging qualifications and expertise to be able to apply and interview. However, people often ask, “How can I get the experience if I cannot get a job?” A great way to get “a foot in the door” is through internships, which can be vital in
Disaster Procurement: Navigating the Supply Chain
Brian McGinley
March 30, 2022
There are moments during a disaster that something needs to be purchased. Depending on the nature of the purchase, it could be something small, perhaps something that can be purchased with a company credit card. On the other hand, it could be a purchase for millions of dollars and,
Radiation Emergency Medical Challenges and a Global Pandemic
Ron Cain
March 23, 2022
It seems that every day over the past two years there are plenty of news stories covering the strain hospitals are facing in staffing shortages and the impacts from a global pandemic. Emergency medical services (EMS) are also dealing with their own similar issues across the nation. Many of these
How The Best Get Better: Partnerships & A Trifecta Disaster
Judy Kruger and Scott Harris
June 21, 2022
Japan is more prepared for future disasters due to communications and annual investments into exercises and drills with local and international partners. Tokyo Disney Resort leveraged private-public partnerships to increase preparedness in employees, guests, business services, critical infrastructure facilities, and government stakeholders to manage future disruptions caused by natural disasters.
Public Safety Grant Programs Changes – A 10-Year Review
Kurt Bradley
June 15, 2022
Article Out Loud Change is inevitable. As society continues to progress in the “digital age,” so has applying for various federal grant programs. It is becoming almost impossible to apply to these programs via a paper application, as in the past. To remain competitive when applying for these grants, it
The Risk-Based Approach to Hazardous Material/WMD Incidents
Tony Mussorfiti
June 8, 2022
Low-frequency, high-consequence events are rare, emergency responders still need to be able to evaluate these complex problems and determine initial actions. To avoid being overwhelmed and increasing the risks to both responders and civilians, emergency responders need to be able to quickly identify all potential hazards, then predict the outcome
Crowd Behavior & Elaborated Social Identity Modeling
Robert Leverone
May 25, 2022
Law enforcement agencies are tasked with protecting life and safety as well as the civil liberties of those within their jurisdictions. Crowds present even more complex and dynamic scenarios. However, this research on crowd psychology can help law enforcement officers navigate these complexities on an operational level. Being able to
Stop the Bleed Training for Immediate Responders
Andrew (Andy) Altizer
May 18, 2022
When an injury causes a life-threatening bleed, minutes matter. There may not be enough time for first responders to arrive on the scene, so immediate responders are needed. Knowing how to respond to this type of injury and being able to stop the bleeding are skills that everyone should learn.
Suburban Fire Operations: Five Lessons Learned
Randall W. Hanifen
May 11, 2022
From small fire companies covering large areas of rural land to large fire departments covering highly populated urban cities, suburban fire departments are tasked with a mixture of both. One firefighter who has spent his career in a suburban fire department shares the five key lessons he has learned throughout
Project Management Approach in Emergency Management
Adam Tager
May 4, 2022
Emergency managers are project managers. While the intersection between the two professions is not often explicitly highlighted, navigating the phases of emergency management largely follows the project management framework. Therefore, a deeper understanding of project management best practices can only serve to enhance the ability to help communities and
Best Practice: Auxiliary Radios for Healthcare Facilities
Ashleigh Holmes
April 27, 2022
When an emergency or disaster occurs, healthcare facilities require reliable communications for ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care. The New York City Emergency Management Department has revamped its City’s emergency radio communications program to ensure that critical information can be exchanged before the next incident. Their
A Growing Threat to Healthcare and Other Facilities
Rodney Andreasen
April 20, 2022
Active shooter and other violent incidents occur all over the country – in urban and rural areas, in big cities and small towns, in large and small facilities. Many examples demonstrate the need to understand and plan for them and the significant consequences that could follow. This article empowers the
Securing & Protecting the Nation’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Raymond Walker and Chandler Lofland
April 13, 2022
The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack in May 2021 exposed the urgent need to safeguard and upgrade the critical infrastructure systems in the United States. Congress acknowledged that the government lacks the authority to require private companies – which own, operate, and protect 85% of the nation’s critical energy infrastructure assets –
A Foot in the Door – The Value of Internships
Sambavi Jani
April 6, 2022
Experience required. Many jobs require wide-ranging qualifications and expertise to be able to apply and interview. However, people often ask, “How can I get the experience if I cannot get a job?” A great way to get “a foot in the door” is through internships, which can be vital in
Disaster Procurement: Navigating the Supply Chain
Brian McGinley
March 30, 2022
There are moments during a disaster that something needs to be purchased. Depending on the nature of the purchase, it could be something small, perhaps something that can be purchased with a company credit card. On the other hand, it could be a purchase for millions of dollars and,
Bipartisan Commission Says Nation Unprepared for Biological Events
Asha M. George and John T. O'Brien
March 9, 2022
On 17 February 2022, Dr. Asha M. George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at a hearing on addressing the gaps in the nation’s biodefense and level of preparedness to respond to
A New Model for Proactive Prevention
Rick Shaw
March 2, 2022
Article Out Loud Shootings, acts of violence, crimes, abuse, suicides, overdoses, and other incidents and tragedies are increasing nationwide. Cities across the nation saw a surge of homicides in 2020 and many cities were at or near record levels for homicides in 2021. Cities also saw spikes in 2020 and
Application of the Cynefin Framework to COVID-19 Pandemic
Judy Kruger and Romeo Lavarias
February 23, 2022
Since the spring of 2020, variables such as mistrust of government leaders, anti-maskers, and economic concerns complicated COVID-19 community response. The Cynefin framework is a sensemaking theory in the social sciences to create a framework for emergency managers in large-scale events.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure Supports Community Resilience
Ryan Colker
February 16, 2022
With communities around the globe feeling the effects of climate change, society must continue to prioritize initiatives that address its causes and impacts. For example, in mid-December 2021, 61 tornadoes formed in the central U.S. when such intense events are unusual, and Texas and Oklahoma saw a winter storm and
Essentials of a School-Based Crisis Response Plan
Mary Schoenfeldt
February 9, 2022
School crisis response plans come in a variety of formats. Although the structure may vary, the content must include the essentials for the plan to be usable and effective. A basic school-based crisis response plan has seven key elements: organizing structure, communications system, accountability system, parent/student reunification, alternative location,
Predictable Surge: A Pilot in Providence
Sara Kelly
January 26, 2022
Collaboration between public entities and private companies is essential to prepare for disasters. However, current partnerships can be formal and cumbersome to the point of detriment, or impromptu and do little to achieve their goals. This unmet need to find appropriate partnership mechanisms could be addressed by the Harvard National
The Evolving Status of Emergency Management Organizations
Kyle R. Overly
January 19, 2022
The proliferation of climate change, political strife, and general societal divisiveness is changing the nature of the work of emergency managers. The (ongoing) COVID-19 global pandemic, devastating hurricane and wildfire seasons, tenuous political situations, and broad unrest impact local communities in significant ways. Emergency managers are those who officials trust
Preparing the U.S. for an Outbreak of African Swine Fever
Gary Flory
January 12, 2022
Article Out Loud Responding to outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases is just one of the many challenges emergency planners and responders in rural localities face. Unfortunately, the infrequent nature of these events makes it easy to put off the planning, training, and research needed to fully prepare for animal disease
Transportation Security in a Holistic Homeland Security Enterprise
Daniel Rector
December 22, 2021
Transportation security is the act of ensuring the protection and continued functioning of mobility systems for both people and commerce. It includes air, maritime, and all forms of surface transport. Transportation security is an enormous undertaking involving all government levels, the private sector, volunteer organizations, and the public. These organizations
Domestic Preparedness in a Post-COVID-19 World
Nathan DiPillo
December 8, 2021
Traditional definitions of domestic preparedness have been influenced by the Cold War and international terrorism. As the 20-year milestone of the 9/11 attack on the United States passed, domestic terrorism also has made its mark on the interpretation of domestic preparedness. It is time for a fresh look, considering pandemics,
Resilience After 2021: Unfinished Business & Future Agenda
Robert McCreight
December 1, 2021
In 2021, many questions have been raised about resilience. Is more known about resilience and have more leverage tools been retained to establish resilience at will than a decade ago? What ideas and notions were expected 10 years ago in energizing resilience tasks, activities, and operations? Has the leverage needed
The Dangers of Not Protecting the “3Ps” During Events
Kole (KC) Campbell
November 24, 2021
On 5 November 2021, an apparent crowd crush at the Astroworld music festival in Houston, Texas resulted in ten deaths and untold injuries. While the criminal investigation is in its early stages at the time of this article, the music festival undoubtably represents some failures of safety and security planning
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