Most recently published

Part V – The ‘Big Picture’: Integration of Strategies & Plans
Catherine L. Feinman
October 29, 2014
Part 5 of 5: By implementing a national command structure, creating ongoing relationships, sharing resources, and participating in joint exercises and trainings, Baltimore City is able to better coordinate preparedness efforts with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions to protect communities and critical infrastructure. A small staff can accomplish a lot when

Multidiscipline Training
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Since 1998, the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama, has been offering interdisciplinary training to emergency responders. In April 2014, the Baltimore regional incident management team (IMT) traveled to Anniston for a pilot program developed for IMTs. Listen to Captain Michael Pfaltzgraff of the Anne Arundel County Fire

Part IV – A Regional ‘Whole-Community’ Approach
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Part 4 of 5: Baltimore City takes the whole-community approach to a regional level. By integrating the business community into the city’s operations and planning process and working with regional partners to plan for and respond to incidents and special events, the city is able to use these many relationships

A Training Partnership That Began With a Grant
University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security
October 15, 2014
Emergency management agencies must build relationships with many different agencies and organizations. In some cases, these relationships grow into an integrated partnership with diverse roles and responsibilities. The Center for Health and Homeland Security and Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management have one such partnership, which is helping to

Part III – Collaborative Efforts for Citywide Preparedness
Catherine L. Feinman
October 15, 2014
Part 3 of 5: In any large city, there are many agencies and organizations that must learn to work together for the benefit of the city as a whole. In Baltimore, these groups come together through local emergency planning committee meetings, trainings, exercises, special events, and other interagency preparedness efforts.

Part II – Addressing Community Needs & Vulnerable Populations
Catherine L. Feinman
October 8, 2014
Part 2 of 5: Planning and response efforts for any city emergency management agency can be challenging, especially when working with diverse populations, neighborhoods living in poverty, and drug-infested communities. The Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (MOEM) along with many partner agencies and organizations are going into vulnerable neighborhoods

Ebola – Protecting Frontline Workers
Joseph Cahill
October 1, 2014
The first U.S. case of Ebola has been confirmed in Texas, so what once was considered a “foreign” disease is now on domestic soil. The key question is, “Are U.S. healthcare workers prepared?” Although it takes time, it is never too late to build awareness, provide protection, and implement procedures.

Part I – ‘Charm City’s’ Team Baltimore
Catherine L. Feinman
October 1, 2014
Part 1 of 5: This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (MOEM) highlights the multidiscipline planning efforts required for day-to-day operations as well as for natural and human-caused disasters. While wearing multiple “hats,” the men and women of MOEM cultivate valuable interagency relationships to prepare the

Staying Safe Amid a Violent World
Richard Schoeberl
September 24, 2014
New terrorist threats against Western nations surface each day. Although these threats have prevented many citizens of these nations from traveling abroad, many other citizens continue to travel for school, work, and pleasure. By recognizing the threats and taking adequate precautions, traveler can reduce their risk of harm to life

Critical Infrastructure Protection: History, Overview & Update
Kay C. Goss
September 23, 2014
Critical infrastructure protection focuses on everyday activities related to all kinds of hazards to promote security and threat deterrence. Community and infrastructure protection, transportation and trans-border security, and protection of key leadership and events encompass the mission activities of the new National Protection Framework.

Applying the Kipling Method to Infrastructure Protection
Joseph Cahill
September 17, 2014
In 1900, writer Rudyard Kipling created a story about “The Elephant’s Child” that would not stop asking questions. More than 100 years later, planners must ask similarly tough questions in order to protect critical infrastructure assets that could have devastating ripple effects should they cease functioning.

Building Resilience – School Safety & Security Standards
Wayne Bergeron
September 17, 2014
School shootings draw a lot of attention from the media as well as from the public, but the number of school deaths is small compared to those that occur away from school property. Although “statistically safe,” schools still must prepare for a broad range of possible incidents and could benefit

The Professional Emergency Manager
Daryl Lee Spiewak
October 29, 2014
A professional emergency manager is defined based on a combination of education, training, experience, and other attributes, such as: a common body of knowledge; specialized skills and abilities; adherence to standards, ethics, and a code of conduct; and determination of compliance procedures. However, the true attributes of a professional emergency

Part V – The ‘Big Picture’: Integration of Strategies & Plans
Catherine L. Feinman
October 29, 2014
Part 5 of 5: By implementing a national command structure, creating ongoing relationships, sharing resources, and participating in joint exercises and trainings, Baltimore City is able to better coordinate preparedness efforts with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions to protect communities and critical infrastructure. A small staff can accomplish a lot when

Multidiscipline Training
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Since 1998, the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama, has been offering interdisciplinary training to emergency responders. In April 2014, the Baltimore regional incident management team (IMT) traveled to Anniston for a pilot program developed for IMTs. Listen to Captain Michael Pfaltzgraff of the Anne Arundel County Fire

Part IV – A Regional ‘Whole-Community’ Approach
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Part 4 of 5: Baltimore City takes the whole-community approach to a regional level. By integrating the business community into the city’s operations and planning process and working with regional partners to plan for and respond to incidents and special events, the city is able to use these many relationships

A Training Partnership That Began With a Grant
University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security
October 15, 2014
Emergency management agencies must build relationships with many different agencies and organizations. In some cases, these relationships grow into an integrated partnership with diverse roles and responsibilities. The Center for Health and Homeland Security and Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management have one such partnership, which is helping to

Part III – Collaborative Efforts for Citywide Preparedness
Catherine L. Feinman
October 15, 2014
Part 3 of 5: In any large city, there are many agencies and organizations that must learn to work together for the benefit of the city as a whole. In Baltimore, these groups come together through local emergency planning committee meetings, trainings, exercises, special events, and other interagency preparedness efforts.

Part II – Addressing Community Needs & Vulnerable Populations
Catherine L. Feinman
October 8, 2014
Part 2 of 5: Planning and response efforts for any city emergency management agency can be challenging, especially when working with diverse populations, neighborhoods living in poverty, and drug-infested communities. The Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (MOEM) along with many partner agencies and organizations are going into vulnerable neighborhoods

Ebola – Protecting Frontline Workers
Joseph Cahill
October 1, 2014
The first U.S. case of Ebola has been confirmed in Texas, so what once was considered a “foreign” disease is now on domestic soil. The key question is, “Are U.S. healthcare workers prepared?” Although it takes time, it is never too late to build awareness, provide protection, and implement procedures.

Part I – ‘Charm City’s’ Team Baltimore
Catherine L. Feinman
October 1, 2014
Part 1 of 5: This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (MOEM) highlights the multidiscipline planning efforts required for day-to-day operations as well as for natural and human-caused disasters. While wearing multiple “hats,” the men and women of MOEM cultivate valuable interagency relationships to prepare the

Staying Safe Amid a Violent World
Richard Schoeberl
September 24, 2014
New terrorist threats against Western nations surface each day. Although these threats have prevented many citizens of these nations from traveling abroad, many other citizens continue to travel for school, work, and pleasure. By recognizing the threats and taking adequate precautions, traveler can reduce their risk of harm to life

Critical Infrastructure Protection: History, Overview & Update
Kay C. Goss
September 23, 2014
Critical infrastructure protection focuses on everyday activities related to all kinds of hazards to promote security and threat deterrence. Community and infrastructure protection, transportation and trans-border security, and protection of key leadership and events encompass the mission activities of the new National Protection Framework.

Applying the Kipling Method to Infrastructure Protection
Joseph Cahill
September 17, 2014
In 1900, writer Rudyard Kipling created a story about “The Elephant’s Child” that would not stop asking questions. More than 100 years later, planners must ask similarly tough questions in order to protect critical infrastructure assets that could have devastating ripple effects should they cease functioning.
Leadership Consciousness: A Call to Action
Samuel Johnson Jr.
September 10, 2014
Being a great leader requires much more than just a title. True leaders build a solid foundation on honor and respect, which includes building rapport with others and being aware that all actions have consequences. Emergency management and public safety officials all have the ability to be “leaders” and agents
Military & Civilian Resources: Doing More With Less
Aaron Sean Poynton
September 10, 2014
The civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, has raised questions about the transfer of Department of Defense (DOD) resources to nonmilitary law enforcement agencies. However, the answers to these questions require some background information about the DOD 1033 program and the equipment used on the streets in Saint Louis County.
Solar Storm Near Miss & Threats to Lifeline Infrastructure
Charles (Chuck) L. Manto
September 10, 2014
In July 2012, a disastrous solar storm could have crippled the country – and possibly the planet – for months had its occurrence not missed Earth by less than two weeks. New reports about that storm have reignited the discussion about the effects of an electromagnetic pulse and the impact
Critical Infrastructure – Preparing for the ‘Long Haul’
Joe D. Manous Jr.
September 3, 2014
The terms critical infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience are common in the preparedness fields, but these concepts are not consistent across disciplines. To test novel ideas, develop program consistency, and establish a long-term effort, some issues must be addressed: separate fields vs. crosscutting concepts; entry-level vs. advanced topics; and “bodies of
Planning for High-Impact Threats to Critical Infrastructure
Domestic Preparedness
September 2, 2014
Top experts will update measures to plan for and mitigate high-impact threats such as electromagnetic pulse, extreme space, and cyber on critical infrastructure. This year’s conference also will review recent emergency management tabletop exercises providing insights into practical steps that can be taken to reduce the tragic effects of these
BioWatch – Challenges & Opportunities for Applied Research
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
August 27, 2014
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has continued to use its legacy early warning system for biological threats as it continues to weigh costs against effectiveness in its search for better technological solutions. In the meantime, “big data” and social media analytics offer incremental steps toward better biodetection and response.
The Complexities of Environmental Health Security
Catherine L. Feinman
August 27, 2014
A topic that often bridges various disciplines and jurisdictions – and sometimes is overlooked in the “big picture” – is security related to environmental health. To address questions surrounding this topic, DomPrep asked readers how they define environmental health and where it fits within the national and international security arena.
National Strategy for Biosecurity Threats
Robert C. Hutchinson
August 20, 2014
“Unexpected” threats may not be so unexpected, but rather foreseen threats that were not taken seriously. Anthrax, plague, and smallpox were ongoing concerns even before the recent incidents that occurred on U.S. soil. However, local jurisdictions must plan for and be operationally prepared for such no-notice biological incidents.
New York: Public Health Implications of the ‘Soda Ban’ Ruling
Andrew Geltman
August 20, 2014
The New York City Board of Health has a long tradition of creating innovative ways to promote better public health practices, but the recent “soda ban” ruling may hinder that innovation in the future. Although still a strong authority for “traditional” public health threats, the public health implications for “nontraditional”
Incident Response for Nursing & Assisted Living Homes
Steven Maynard
August 20, 2014
Article Out Loud Residents of nursing and assisted living homes are subject to many risks, including fires. Residents tend to be more physically and cognitively impaired, which puts them at a higher risk for death than the general population. Moreover, nursing and assisted living homes have long been recognized as
Georgia: Technologies & Disasters
Charley English
August 13, 2014
For emergency managers, the planning process never ends. Rather, it continues to evolve over time. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency embraces this concept and recently updated its mobile app to meet the changing needs of its local communities. This newly redesigned app serves as a template for agencies in other
Public Health Emergencies – Looking Toward the Future
Audrey Mazurek and Raphael M. Barishansky
August 13, 2014
In January 2014, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events released a white paper listing seven recommendations to enhance the sustainability of preparedness efforts in the United States. The IOM paper reflects on relevant past accomplishments, the current state of public health
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