Most recently published
Identifying Pre-Attack Indicators for Special Events
Jessica A. Gladfelter and Dallas R. Mosier
June 18, 2014
Elliot Rodger left many clues about his deadly intentions before killing six university students, injuring 13 others, and ultimately killing himself. Numerous threatening videos, a 140-page manifesto, and vague verbal threats were all pre-attack indicators. Although only hindsight is 20/20, such indicators should provide clearer vision when searching for potential
A Blossoming Public-Private Partnership
Catherine L. Feinman
June 18, 2014
For any large-scale special event, it is important to expect the unexpected. The United States Park Police took the time to plan and train with private sector partners for the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run to discover gaps and mitigate potential hazards and incidents that may present
Special Events: Plan, Assess, Train & Exercise
Kay C. Goss
June 11, 2014
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides valuable resources for those responsible for or involved in planning a special event. These resources provide information on planning the event, assessing the hazards and threats, training personnel and volunteers, and exercising based on lessons learned from past events.
Rehearsal of Concept – From Army to Civilian Use
Philip J. Beck
June 11, 2014
The extensive trainings conducted at military installations have inspired similar trainings for many civilian agencies. In 2013, the United States Park Police discovered the U.S. Army’s “”rehearsal of concept”” drill, which they successfully used to plan for the presidential inauguration and will use the same concept for the upcoming 4th
Operational Tasks – Go With the Flow
Joseph Cahill
June 11, 2014
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is changing the dynamics of public-private partnerships as they relate to medical countermeasures for public health threats. By using nontraditional partnerships, CDC is not only providing easier access but also reducing the time needed to dispense large quantities of antiviral drugs,
The Sewol Ferry Disaster – Cultural Considerations
Julie Sorrell
May 28, 2014
Culture plays a key role in how communities plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In South Korea, the cultural behaviors surrounding training, regulations, and obedience all may have played a role in the number of people who died when the Sewol ferry sunk on 16 April 2014.
Critical Incident Stress Management & Peer Support
Tania Glenn
May 21, 2014
In the aftermath of 9/11, aviation and other transportation incidents have become the focus of much national and international attention. Commercial aviation incidents like U.S. Airways Flight 1549 making an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 making a crash landing onto the
Mexican & U.S. Aviation Security
Clay W. Biles
May 21, 2014
The airport security environment, especially in the United States, has changed significantly since 9/11. Technological advances have helped raise the standards at security checkpoints around the world, but technology is not infallible. Maintaining a high standard of security requires a balance between technology and human intelligence.
The Team Spirit of Emergency Management
Stephen Grainer
May 17, 2014
In the area of emergency management, teams and organizations strive to mitigate the outcome of any potential or actual emergency. Such intervention, though, requires trust in team members to perform their tasks when needed. As with any successful football team or racecar pit crew, emergency managers also must devote the
Securing Airports – Both Inside & Outside
Richard Schoeberl
May 14, 2014
Deficiencies in the current U.S. security efforts at airports have raised various concerns. Examining past breaches in security and defining the roles of law enforcement agencies are critical security steps. However, passengers also must be prepared to sacrifice some level of convenience to ensure safer and more secure airports and
Maryland – A State of Good Repair
Bernadette Bridges
May 14, 2014
The condition of the nation’s transit infrastructure is a challenging issue that requires much attention. To address the safety and security concerns, safety professionals are taking a more active role during the plan, design, and build phases of modern transit systems and vehicles. Maryland is one state that is making
Specialized Training for Rail Incidents
James Metzger
May 7, 2014
First responder agencies must prepare for a variety of incidents that may occur within or near their jurisdictions. Even when an incident involving the movement of large numbers of people – for example, passenger rail transit – does not result in a mass-casualty scenario, many special considerations must be made
Training for Special Events – Keeping Them Safe & Secure
Richard Schoeberl
June 25, 2014
To address the gaps and concerns revealed in a recent article and flash poll, subject matter experts discussed training efforts necessary to ensure adequate security at large-scale special events. The challenge of securing special events can be compounded by daily responsibilities, especially where civil violence exists.
Identifying Pre-Attack Indicators for Special Events
Jessica A. Gladfelter and Dallas R. Mosier
June 18, 2014
Elliot Rodger left many clues about his deadly intentions before killing six university students, injuring 13 others, and ultimately killing himself. Numerous threatening videos, a 140-page manifesto, and vague verbal threats were all pre-attack indicators. Although only hindsight is 20/20, such indicators should provide clearer vision when searching for potential
A Blossoming Public-Private Partnership
Catherine L. Feinman
June 18, 2014
For any large-scale special event, it is important to expect the unexpected. The United States Park Police took the time to plan and train with private sector partners for the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run to discover gaps and mitigate potential hazards and incidents that may present
Special Events: Plan, Assess, Train & Exercise
Kay C. Goss
June 11, 2014
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides valuable resources for those responsible for or involved in planning a special event. These resources provide information on planning the event, assessing the hazards and threats, training personnel and volunteers, and exercising based on lessons learned from past events.
Rehearsal of Concept – From Army to Civilian Use
Philip J. Beck
June 11, 2014
The extensive trainings conducted at military installations have inspired similar trainings for many civilian agencies. In 2013, the United States Park Police discovered the U.S. Army’s “”rehearsal of concept”” drill, which they successfully used to plan for the presidential inauguration and will use the same concept for the upcoming 4th
Operational Tasks – Go With the Flow
Joseph Cahill
June 11, 2014
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is changing the dynamics of public-private partnerships as they relate to medical countermeasures for public health threats. By using nontraditional partnerships, CDC is not only providing easier access but also reducing the time needed to dispense large quantities of antiviral drugs,
The Sewol Ferry Disaster – Cultural Considerations
Julie Sorrell
May 28, 2014
Culture plays a key role in how communities plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In South Korea, the cultural behaviors surrounding training, regulations, and obedience all may have played a role in the number of people who died when the Sewol ferry sunk on 16 April 2014.
Critical Incident Stress Management & Peer Support
Tania Glenn
May 21, 2014
In the aftermath of 9/11, aviation and other transportation incidents have become the focus of much national and international attention. Commercial aviation incidents like U.S. Airways Flight 1549 making an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 making a crash landing onto the
Mexican & U.S. Aviation Security
Clay W. Biles
May 21, 2014
The airport security environment, especially in the United States, has changed significantly since 9/11. Technological advances have helped raise the standards at security checkpoints around the world, but technology is not infallible. Maintaining a high standard of security requires a balance between technology and human intelligence.
The Team Spirit of Emergency Management
Stephen Grainer
May 17, 2014
In the area of emergency management, teams and organizations strive to mitigate the outcome of any potential or actual emergency. Such intervention, though, requires trust in team members to perform their tasks when needed. As with any successful football team or racecar pit crew, emergency managers also must devote the
Securing Airports – Both Inside & Outside
Richard Schoeberl
May 14, 2014
Deficiencies in the current U.S. security efforts at airports have raised various concerns. Examining past breaches in security and defining the roles of law enforcement agencies are critical security steps. However, passengers also must be prepared to sacrifice some level of convenience to ensure safer and more secure airports and
Maryland – A State of Good Repair
Bernadette Bridges
May 14, 2014
The condition of the nation’s transit infrastructure is a challenging issue that requires much attention. To address the safety and security concerns, safety professionals are taking a more active role during the plan, design, and build phases of modern transit systems and vehicles. Maryland is one state that is making
Nuclear Preparedness: Is the United States Ready
Craig DeAtley
April 30, 2014
To address the gaps and concerns revealed in a recent article and the flash poll, subject matter experts who warned of the dangers in 2009 reunited five years later to address the issues that are still as real now as they were five years ago. Although there have been some
Preparing for the Unthinkable
Catherine L. Feinman
April 30, 2014
An article, a flash poll, and a podcast each addressed the same topic: Is the United States prepared for a nuclear detonation? Each came to the same conclusion, “No, not as prepared as it needs to be.” The threat of a nuclear attack did not disappear with the Cold War,
Illinois – Lessons From a Radiological Incident Exercise
Shay Simmons and Curtis Hawk
April 23, 2014
When a radiological incident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. However, the frequency and probability of such incidents limit many jurisdictions from being fully prepared and trained. Illinois officials understand the threat and conduct annual exercises to ensure that jurisdictions in and around its nuclear facilities are ready for their
Radiological Detection – A Strategy for Changing Public Opinion
Joseph W. Trindal
April 23, 2014
The use and acceptance of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for the law enforcement community is changing, with a great potential for broader uses. By integrating radiation sensors with UAVs, law enforcement officers could better intercept suspected threats. However, the public is not yet “”sold”” on the concept of such
Civil Support Teams 101 – Removing Misconceptions
Gordon Hunter
April 23, 2014
A DomPrep report published in March 2014 revealed some misconceptions about a valuable resource provided by the National Guard. Civil support teams provide no-cost assets to local jurisdictions for incidents, trainings, and exercises. As threats and missions evolve, local agencies should be familiar with all the tools in their toolboxes.
The Emerging Nuclear Threat Environment
Vayl S. Oxford
April 16, 2014
The changing conditions in the Middle East and North Africa, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, and the impact of Iran’s nuclear program each have serious national security implications. To mitigate the emerging nuclear threat, agencies at all levels of government should perform five critical actions.
The ‘Dirty’ Details About Explosive Devices
Courtney Gavitt
April 16, 2014
The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings caused confusion, frustration, and anger when race marshals abruptly ended the event. The consequences, though, could have been much greater had the initial reports been true. Knowing what makes a dirty bomb “dirty” is the first step to ensure the health and safety of all
The ‘Day After Disaster,’ Revisited
Craig DeAtley
April 8, 2014
In the first 72 hours following a nuclear blast, survivors would face many challenges – communication, evacuation, sheltering, response, and incident command. Scenario 1 (Nuclear Detonation – Improvised Nuclear Device) of the National Response Framework was depicted in the History Channel’s “Day After Disaster” in 2009. Five years later, is
Nuclear Weapons – A Growing Security Threat
Richard Schoeberl
April 2, 2014
Although there has not been another significant attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, the threat of terrorists acquiring materials to create weapons of mass destruction still exists. Leaders of countries around the world recently met to discuss the current nuclear and radiological threats and to develop preventive measures to secure
Death – Breaking the Bad News
Joseph Cahill
April 2, 2014
The American Heart Association reported that, in 2011, the average survival rate to hospital discharge for nontraumatic cardiac arrest patients of all ages after receiving treatment from emergency medical services (EMS) was 10.4 percent. As such, EMS teams play a key role in preparing the families of cardiac arrest patients
California – A Growing Response to Persistent Drought
Mark Ghilarducci
March 26, 2014
The average person in the United States uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. California’s multiyear drought has broken new records, created unprecedented reductions in water supply, and demands personal conservation techniques. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been leading the charge toward mitigating this widespread
Alaska – Building a Firm Foundation on Shaky Ground
John W. Madden
March 26, 2014
The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 did more than advance the study of plate tectonics, it demonstrated to the world that communities can be resilient following a catastrophic incident when everyone works together. In 2014, Alaskans will lead the nation in a full-scale exercise that will bring the earthquake from
Follow Us
Get Instant Access
Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.
