Most recently published
What It Takes to Be a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Professional
Raphael M. Barishansky
July 15, 2015
In the relatively young subspecialty of public health emergency preparedness, effective public health preparedness managers mustentify the essential elements of their roles and the skills or requirements necessary to be effective in their positions. Although there is no set recipe for success, diverse and field-related skills are a must.
Virtual Exercises – A Cost-Effective Option
Dawn Thomas
July 14, 2015
Some exercises require a hands-on environment, whereas others can thrive in a virtual training space. FUSION X is one federally sponsored exercise that has evolved from a tabletop event at a single location to a virtual training for participants, who require flexibility and cost-effectiveness, at various locations throughout the United
Operation Twister – Exercising Disaster Behavioral Response
Craig DeAtley
July 8, 2015
Functional exercises are invaluable for helping participants understand their roles in disasters. This is particularly true for participants who normally are not included in interagency exercises, such as behavioral health personnel. Triaging following a disaster should not stop at the physical level, but should consider psychological concerns as well.Every disaster
Apples & Oranges – Understanding Curies & REM in Radiation Sources
Jeffrey Williams
July 8, 2015
Hazardous materials personnel are faced with a broad range of chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. However, not all hazards are equal, nor are similar quantities. Responders who encounter radiological materials need to know the relationship of quantity and biological impact of specific materials by first understanding the terminology of measurement
See Center for Domestic Preparedness Training in Action on YouTube
Domestic Preparedness
July 7, 2015
Responders interested in training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) can now view video descriptions of courses, as well as news stories and podcasts on CDP training and events on YouTube. The CDP’s primary mission is to train state, local, and tribal emergency response providers, as well as the
What Baltimore’s Recent Civil Unrest Can Teach Emergency Planners
Anthony S. Mangeri
June 30, 2015
When civil unrest erupts, emergency planners must look beyond the riot itself to understand how the riots culminated, who the key antagonists were, and what can be done to improve planning and response for future outbreaks of violence. In Baltimore, officials are talking in order to accomplish all three of
Baltimore Unrest – Police Lessons Learned on the Fly
Melissa Hyatt
June 24, 2015
In any emergency or disaster incident, some tasks will be done well and others will be the basis for lessons to learn and changes to implement after the smoke clears. The Baltimore riot is one example. Law enforcement officers quickly learned that, even with multidiscipline planning and training for special
Riots – When Civil Rights Protests Lose Civility
Robert Maloney
June 24, 2015
From the Occupy movement to burning cars and looting pharmacies, Baltimore, Maryland, has seen its share of peaceful (and not-so-peaceful) protests. In light of recent publicized civil unrest, cities across the country continue to seek a balance between protecting First Amendment rights and protecting the communities and residents for which
Serving the Underserved – No Matter What
Jayna Powell
June 17, 2015
For underserved communities, every day is difficult. However, during a civil disturbance, these difficulties multiply – especially in times of civil unrest, when volunteers may be too afraid to work. In Baltimore, the solution to fill the volunteer gap came from social media use and a mobile app used by
The History & Reality of the National Guard
Aaron Sean Poynton
June 17, 2015
The Maryland National Guard was recently activated to quell the riot-induced violence in Baltimore. The National Guard’s roles, responsibilities, powers, and chain of command differ significantly from other military components in that they provide military services to support overwhelmed civil authorities under the command and control of the state governor.
Promoting Positive Policing Approaches in Communities of Color
James R. (Chip) Coldren Jr. and Rachel Mathieu
June 10, 2015
The recent civil unrest in Baltimore, Maryland, highlights a not-so-new divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve. CNA Corporation has spent years talking with police officers from more than 50 police agencies to find ways to build mutual trust and respect between these two groups. Its findings are
How to Change Response Tactics in Times of Civil Unrest
Michael E. Cox Jr.
June 10, 2015
Unlike responses to hurricanes, floods, or other natural hazards, civil disturbances are more likely to place emergency responders in harm’s way as the situation rapidly and unpredictably changes. To avoid becoming a target for angry crowds with projectiles and gunfire, personnel within the area of active fighting or unrest must
Dangerous Suicides
Stuart K. Cameron
July 15, 2015
Although most suicides injure only the suicide victims themselves, others may cause injury to anyone within close proximity. With law enforcement officers typically being the first on the scene of such incidents, they should be aware of the hazards and be able to recognize the signs of potential residual threats.
What It Takes to Be a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Professional
Raphael M. Barishansky
July 15, 2015
In the relatively young subspecialty of public health emergency preparedness, effective public health preparedness managers mustentify the essential elements of their roles and the skills or requirements necessary to be effective in their positions. Although there is no set recipe for success, diverse and field-related skills are a must.
Virtual Exercises – A Cost-Effective Option
Dawn Thomas
July 14, 2015
Some exercises require a hands-on environment, whereas others can thrive in a virtual training space. FUSION X is one federally sponsored exercise that has evolved from a tabletop event at a single location to a virtual training for participants, who require flexibility and cost-effectiveness, at various locations throughout the United
Operation Twister – Exercising Disaster Behavioral Response
Craig DeAtley
July 8, 2015
Functional exercises are invaluable for helping participants understand their roles in disasters. This is particularly true for participants who normally are not included in interagency exercises, such as behavioral health personnel. Triaging following a disaster should not stop at the physical level, but should consider psychological concerns as well.Every disaster
Apples & Oranges – Understanding Curies & REM in Radiation Sources
Jeffrey Williams
July 8, 2015
Hazardous materials personnel are faced with a broad range of chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. However, not all hazards are equal, nor are similar quantities. Responders who encounter radiological materials need to know the relationship of quantity and biological impact of specific materials by first understanding the terminology of measurement
See Center for Domestic Preparedness Training in Action on YouTube
Domestic Preparedness
July 7, 2015
Responders interested in training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) can now view video descriptions of courses, as well as news stories and podcasts on CDP training and events on YouTube. The CDP’s primary mission is to train state, local, and tribal emergency response providers, as well as the
What Baltimore’s Recent Civil Unrest Can Teach Emergency Planners
Anthony S. Mangeri
June 30, 2015
When civil unrest erupts, emergency planners must look beyond the riot itself to understand how the riots culminated, who the key antagonists were, and what can be done to improve planning and response for future outbreaks of violence. In Baltimore, officials are talking in order to accomplish all three of
Baltimore Unrest – Police Lessons Learned on the Fly
Melissa Hyatt
June 24, 2015
In any emergency or disaster incident, some tasks will be done well and others will be the basis for lessons to learn and changes to implement after the smoke clears. The Baltimore riot is one example. Law enforcement officers quickly learned that, even with multidiscipline planning and training for special
Riots – When Civil Rights Protests Lose Civility
Robert Maloney
June 24, 2015
From the Occupy movement to burning cars and looting pharmacies, Baltimore, Maryland, has seen its share of peaceful (and not-so-peaceful) protests. In light of recent publicized civil unrest, cities across the country continue to seek a balance between protecting First Amendment rights and protecting the communities and residents for which
Serving the Underserved – No Matter What
Jayna Powell
June 17, 2015
For underserved communities, every day is difficult. However, during a civil disturbance, these difficulties multiply – especially in times of civil unrest, when volunteers may be too afraid to work. In Baltimore, the solution to fill the volunteer gap came from social media use and a mobile app used by
The History & Reality of the National Guard
Aaron Sean Poynton
June 17, 2015
The Maryland National Guard was recently activated to quell the riot-induced violence in Baltimore. The National Guard’s roles, responsibilities, powers, and chain of command differ significantly from other military components in that they provide military services to support overwhelmed civil authorities under the command and control of the state governor.
Promoting Positive Policing Approaches in Communities of Color
James R. (Chip) Coldren Jr. and Rachel Mathieu
June 10, 2015
The recent civil unrest in Baltimore, Maryland, highlights a not-so-new divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve. CNA Corporation has spent years talking with police officers from more than 50 police agencies to find ways to build mutual trust and respect between these two groups. Its findings are
How to Deploy an Ethical Cybercommunications Program
Anyck Turgeon
May 27, 2015
Cybercommunications 101: How to deploy an effective cybercommunications program as part of an emergency, disaster recovery, and business continuity effort. As more common, daily-use devices become automated, the risk of cybersabbotage and cyberattacks increases, so planners must take measures to prevent harm to their efforts, personnel, agencies, and organizations.
Football, Golf & an Integrated Public Safety Information Network
Janusz Wasiolek
May 27, 2015
Managing one large-scale special event can be a public safety challenge for any jurisdiction. However, when multiple events and hundreds of thousands of people converge in one area, communications between public safety officials is critical. Using the Homeland Security Information Network, officials in the greater Phoenix area kept the lines
InfraGard – Over 400 Sector Chiefs in 84 Chapters
Sheri Donahue
May 20, 2015
After receiving credible information about an al-Qaida threat to high-profile buildings where financial institutions were located, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shared that information through the InfraGard network. InfraGard then used the Sector Chief Program to rapidly disseminate the necessary details to the right people within those institutions.
Defining & Working With 21st Century Mass Media
Anthony S. Mangeri
May 19, 2015
Mass media can be allies or adversaries to emergency management agencies. The key for these agencies is to ensure that media outlets are sharing accurate public safety and incident-related information from trusted and reliable sources. This means that emergency managers must understand news media objectives and develop mutually beneficial working
What the Future Holds for Communications Interoperability
Steve Cohan
May 13, 2015
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 put a spotlight on the gaps that existed and, in many jurisdictions, still exist between public safety agencies. Although most preparedness professionals would agree that it is critical to have interoperable communications, there are factors that hinder achievement of this goal. With careful consideration, agencies
Gyrocopters & Other Rapidly Developing Threats
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
May 12, 2015
On 15 April 2015, a 61-year-old mailman from Florida breached restricted airspace over the nation’s capital and landed a gyrocopter on the West lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Although this event did not involve explosives or other hazardous materials, the next incident may not be benign. Communication gaps must
Critical Elements for Creating a Dialogue
Charles L. Werner
May 6, 2015
Accessing and sharing information between various agencies and organizations may be challenging, but are necessary for developing effective situational and operational awareness. The National Information Sharing Consortium (NISC) formalized an approach for such interagency communication. By operationalizing these capabilities, NISC creates dialogue and closes communication gaps.
Transitioning From Routine to Disaster
Tanya Ferraro
May 4, 2015
Public health agencies serve valuable roles and fill operational gaps that only they can perform. Planning and training within and between agencies are necessary for public health services to transition from daily operations to emergency response to a widespread pandemic, environmental hazard, or other critical public health threat.
Making Collaboration Work – Enablers & Barriers
Bruce Martin
April 29, 2015
The devastating tornado that destroyed thousands of homes in Joplin, Missouri, in May 2011 is a key example of successful preexisting collaboration and after-action team building among city officials, business and community leaders, and residents. Resilient communities: (a) define and nurture collaborative environments; (b) identify collaborative enablers and barriers; and
How One Enterprise Ensures Medical Products for Emergencies
David R. Howell and Joanna M. Prasher
April 28, 2015
Pandemic influenza, an aerosolized anthrax attack, a nuclear detonation, chemical or radiological exposure, and other known and emerging threats and disasters are all potential threats to the United States. To combat these, one enterprise – comprising many collaborating federal agencies – is preparing to provide the necessary medical products when
The Evolution of Planning for Animals in Disasters
Richard Green and Elizabeth Serca-Dominguez
April 22, 2015
A man runs into an evacuation zone to rescue his dog. A woman refuses to leave her home in the face of danger because she cannot find her cat. A family is turned away from a shelter because they do not want to leave their pets behind. In all of
A Proven Method for Public-Private Virtual Collaboration
Christina Fabac and Chas Eby
April 22, 2015
During a disaster, private sector companies may not have access to valuable public sector resources and information. Some government agencies, though, are building online portals that provide businesses with situational awareness, such as real-time weather forecasts, road closures, and emergency alerts, as well as a chat room to increase public-private
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