Most recently published
Ongoing Training Needs: Virginia’s Solution
Stephen Grainer
March 18, 2015
In a remote rural area – far from customary amenities, distractions, and other conveniences – players are faced with challenges and must learn to adapt and overcome in order to reap the benefits, otherwise face the consequences. No, this is not a reality television show, but it is an effective
Hospital Threats – More to Address Than Just Donning & Doffing
Craig DeAtley
March 17, 2015
An Ebola-infected American flown from Sierra Leone lies in critical condition at the National Institutes of Health. A nurse who contracted Ebola in 2014 when caring for a patient is suing Texas Health Resources for not properly training its employees. As these events demonstrate, biological threats to hospital workers still
Financial Planning for the Next Ebola Threat
Chris Mangal
March 14, 2015
Public health and healthcare funding is a priority during a disease outbreak such as Ebola. However, when ongoing funding is unavailable, government agencies must scramble to find ways to support public health response efforts. Three funding opportunities may help address these current gaps and avoid disease-specific funding for response efforts
Pittsburgh: Traffic-Stop Training to Prevent Police Officer Ambushes
Zoë Thorkildsen
March 11, 2015
Across the United States, incidents of police officers being targeted in ambush-style attacks have raised great concern. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police addressed this rising concern by creating reality-based training scenarios that build situational awareness and test officers on incidents they are likely to encounter during routine traffic stops.
Preparedness: Moving Beyond the Stockpiling of Stuff
Andrew R. Roszak
March 10, 2015
Equipment, plans, and personnel are only as good as their ability to perform when needed. When disaster strikes, it is imperative that local, state, and federal levels of government, emergency management, volunteer organizations, and healthcare coalitions are all operationally ready and trained to use all of the “stuff” they have
Cadet Programs – Mending Police-Community Relations
Samuel Johnson Jr.
March 4, 2015
As conflicts arise between law enforcement agencies and the communities in which they serve, police cadet leadership programs could reduce crime, increase community relations, and change lives. Through education, community service, and public safety, these programs promote highly trained police departments and break down socioeconomic barriers.
Talking to People Who Do Not Believe Bad Things Can Happen
William Kaewert
February 25, 2015
A deliberate enemy attack on U.S. infrastructure may be a credible threat but, if the warning is provided at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or to the wrong audience, the message will have no, or possibly even a negative, response. An effective presenter is able to tell a
Lessons About Measles & Vaccination Compliance
Dipti Subramanium
February 24, 2015
In December 2014, an unknown patient zero visited Disneyland in California. Whether that person knew that he or she was carrying a highly contagious infectious disease is not as important as the speed in which the disease spread and the reason behind it. There is a correlation between the resurgence
Preparedness – A Balance Between Training & Education
Bruce Martin
February 18, 2015
Preparedness involves a careful balance between training and education. Successful homeland security enterprises are able to conceptualize this blend of training and education to adequately prepare their workforces and accomplish their missions. It is not enough to just know how to do something, it is equally important to know why.
Data-Driven Decisions – Lies & Statistics
Joseph Cahill
February 18, 2015
As the old saying goes, there are “lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The reality of how statistical data is gathered, compared, and used can make the decision-making process more difficult. In emergency medical services, setting the bar based on available statistics affects both lives and budgets, so decisions must be
Internships in Emergency Management: Good for All
Wayne Bergeron
February 11, 2015
Modern emergency management agencies want more than education, more than training, and more than experience. They want it all, which makes it more difficult for an emergency management student to secure a job directly out of college. By collaborating with these agencies, universities can help their students gain the skills
A Global Student Council & a New Higher Education Database
Matthew P. Ellis
February 11, 2015
The evolution of emergency management has necessitated an expansion of higher educational offerings. However, in this relatively new discipline, there is no comprehensive database of the many academic programs around the world. The International Association of Emergency Manager’s Global Student Council seeks to fill this gap.
Training Challenge – Choosing the Best Learning Approach
Glen Rudner
March 18, 2015
One responder sits in a room listening to an instructor and discussing key concepts and issues with other participants. Another responder sits at a computer during odd hours going through tutorials and posting on discussion groups. Although both types of trainings are effective, the deciding factors between instructor-led, web-based, or
Ongoing Training Needs: Virginia’s Solution
Stephen Grainer
March 18, 2015
In a remote rural area – far from customary amenities, distractions, and other conveniences – players are faced with challenges and must learn to adapt and overcome in order to reap the benefits, otherwise face the consequences. No, this is not a reality television show, but it is an effective
Hospital Threats – More to Address Than Just Donning & Doffing
Craig DeAtley
March 17, 2015
An Ebola-infected American flown from Sierra Leone lies in critical condition at the National Institutes of Health. A nurse who contracted Ebola in 2014 when caring for a patient is suing Texas Health Resources for not properly training its employees. As these events demonstrate, biological threats to hospital workers still
Financial Planning for the Next Ebola Threat
Chris Mangal
March 14, 2015
Public health and healthcare funding is a priority during a disease outbreak such as Ebola. However, when ongoing funding is unavailable, government agencies must scramble to find ways to support public health response efforts. Three funding opportunities may help address these current gaps and avoid disease-specific funding for response efforts
Pittsburgh: Traffic-Stop Training to Prevent Police Officer Ambushes
Zoë Thorkildsen
March 11, 2015
Across the United States, incidents of police officers being targeted in ambush-style attacks have raised great concern. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police addressed this rising concern by creating reality-based training scenarios that build situational awareness and test officers on incidents they are likely to encounter during routine traffic stops.
Preparedness: Moving Beyond the Stockpiling of Stuff
Andrew R. Roszak
March 10, 2015
Equipment, plans, and personnel are only as good as their ability to perform when needed. When disaster strikes, it is imperative that local, state, and federal levels of government, emergency management, volunteer organizations, and healthcare coalitions are all operationally ready and trained to use all of the “stuff” they have
Cadet Programs – Mending Police-Community Relations
Samuel Johnson Jr.
March 4, 2015
As conflicts arise between law enforcement agencies and the communities in which they serve, police cadet leadership programs could reduce crime, increase community relations, and change lives. Through education, community service, and public safety, these programs promote highly trained police departments and break down socioeconomic barriers.
Talking to People Who Do Not Believe Bad Things Can Happen
William Kaewert
February 25, 2015
A deliberate enemy attack on U.S. infrastructure may be a credible threat but, if the warning is provided at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or to the wrong audience, the message will have no, or possibly even a negative, response. An effective presenter is able to tell a
Lessons About Measles & Vaccination Compliance
Dipti Subramanium
February 24, 2015
In December 2014, an unknown patient zero visited Disneyland in California. Whether that person knew that he or she was carrying a highly contagious infectious disease is not as important as the speed in which the disease spread and the reason behind it. There is a correlation between the resurgence
Preparedness – A Balance Between Training & Education
Bruce Martin
February 18, 2015
Preparedness involves a careful balance between training and education. Successful homeland security enterprises are able to conceptualize this blend of training and education to adequately prepare their workforces and accomplish their missions. It is not enough to just know how to do something, it is equally important to know why.
Data-Driven Decisions – Lies & Statistics
Joseph Cahill
February 18, 2015
As the old saying goes, there are “lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The reality of how statistical data is gathered, compared, and used can make the decision-making process more difficult. In emergency medical services, setting the bar based on available statistics affects both lives and budgets, so decisions must be
Internships in Emergency Management: Good for All
Wayne Bergeron
February 11, 2015
Modern emergency management agencies want more than education, more than training, and more than experience. They want it all, which makes it more difficult for an emergency management student to secure a job directly out of college. By collaborating with these agencies, universities can help their students gain the skills
How to Make a ‘Smart’ Phone ‘Undumb’ in a Disaster
Anjila Lebsock
February 4, 2015
According to a January 2014 Pew Research Center report, 58 percent of adults surveyed in the United States use smartphones. With a growing dependence on these devices, it is important to educate the public on how they can prepare for times when cellular service is not available. During a disaster,
Exploring an Educational Journey
Kevin Kupietz
February 2, 2015
Emergency service fields traditionally have relied on hands-on educational strategies. However, online options are becoming more attractive because of their flexibility, availability, and cost. By matching a person’s learning style with an educational environment that is conducive to that style, professionals can continue their educational journey in new and exciting
Virtual Tabletop Exercise Series (VTTX) Active Shooter
Domestic Preparedness
January 31, 2015
The Emergency Management Institute is conducting a virtual tabletop exercise series on active shooters. The VTTX involves key personnel discussing simulated active shooter scenarios in an informal setting. This exercise series can be used to assess plans, policies, training, and procedures.
CERT Train-the-Trainer (E0428)
Domestic Preparedness
January 29, 2015
The Emergency Management Institute is offering two courses for professionals and volunteers who are interested in being a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Manager.
Long-Term Community Recovery Planning Guidance
Kay C. Goss
January 28, 2015
Preparedness planning is a large part of the foundation of emergency management. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Report summarizes the building, sustaining, and delivering of the 31 core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal across all five mission areas identified in Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8):
Planning: A Continuing Challenge
Sarah Tidman
January 21, 2015
The constantly changing natural and societal environments create an ongoing challenge to design and maintain current and relevant emergency management plans. Exercises, in particular national level exercises, are an effective way to identify capability strengths and areas for improvement as well as to amend existing plans.
Integrating Law Enforcement & Emergency Management
Lewis Eakins
January 21, 2015
Federal, state, and local law enforcement, with a focus on combating criminal activity, is well aligned with homeland security initiatives. The attacks of 9/11 exposed the need for local law enforcement to increase its role in anti-terrorism activities. In the United States, there are 18,000 local police agencies and, according to
Cybersecurity as an Emergency Management Function
Ann Lesperance and Steve Stein
January 21, 2015
Although emergency managers plan for all types of disasters that could potentially occur within or around their jurisdictions, cyberattacks present unique challenges when identifying the nature of, and understanding how to respond to, such threats. A true all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness necessarily includes protecting communities against cyberthreats.
The Supporting Role of Healthcare Coalitions for Local Health Departments in Emergency Preparedness
Nicole Dunifon
January 20, 2015
The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), provides grant funding to states in order to support sustainable community healthcare coalitions (HCCs), improve medical surge capacity, and enhance community and hospital preparedness in the event of a public health emergency.
Residential Coastal Construction Course Offered by FEMA
Domestic Preparedness
January 17, 2015
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce a training opportunity on Residential Coastal Construction designed to train participants to effectively use the Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA P-55). Course E0386 provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing, and maintaining homes in the coastal environment.
Emergency Operations Center Activation & the Active Shooter Scenario
Dave Points
January 14, 2015
Law enforcement and emergency management planning actions for active shooter incidents can have large payoffs for communities. For example, emergency managers can assist law enforcement officers in using resources that emergency operations centers can provide, developing training exercises, and securing grant funding for mitigation efforts, training, and equipment.
FEMA’s New Planning Doctrine
Jordan Nelms
January 14, 2015
Two new guidance documents further integrate emergency management planning efforts at the regional and national levels. The Federal Emergency Management Agency sets the stage for integrated planning and builds a coherent planning system by integrating the Threat and Hazard identification and Risk Assessment and providing valuable resources for national preparedness
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