Most recently published
Black Swans – Preparing for Pandemic & Biological Threats
Robert C. Hutchinson
November 6, 2013
The first step in preparing for a “Black Swan” event is to confirm that it actually exists. Once that is done, it is important to recognize its potential impact, implement the plans and strategies needed, and understand the roles played by all stakeholders involved.
NamUs: Narrowing the Search for Missing Persons
Joseph Cahill
November 6, 2013
Law enforcement officers, medical examiners, and coroners are now able to accumulate more data more quickly in their efforts to solve missing-person cases. Moreover, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System not only provides a wealth of helpful information to public agencies but also empowers families to help locate their
Protecting Life & Civil Liberties – Masters of Collaboration
Charles J. Guddemi
November 4, 2013
This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the United States Park Police (USPP) highlights the special event planning process, from the application form to the after-action report. The men and women of the USPP protect First Amendment rights, ensure the safety and security of visitors, and provide daily law enforcement protection. From
Public Health & the Congressional Budget Standoff
Chris Mangal
October 30, 2013
The federal government shutdown caused major disruptions throughout the nation. Federal employees are now back at work, but employees of U.S. public health laboratories still risk losing much more than their paychecks. Congressional budget conflicts and further public health funding reductions are likely in the near future, and those cuts
Public Health Answers for Non-Public Health Organizations
Chas Eby
October 23, 2013
Private companies and public agencies conduct business as usual most days, but emergency planners at these organizations should be acutely aware not only of the company’s vulnerabilities but also of any external threats to operations that might cause major problems. Cyber attacks, earthquakes, and/or a pandemic flu – to cite
Creating a Closed Point of Dispensing: A How-To Primer
David Reddick
October 23, 2013
During a bioterrorism event, the need to help 50,000 people seeking lifesaving medications can seem impossible for an already overwhelmed public healthcare facility. One solution for alleviating the congestion is to distribute medical countermeasures through other venues – for example, colleges and universities, businesses, and various private sector agencies and
Rapid Dispatching Reduces Call-Processing Times
Michael E. Cox Jr.
October 16, 2013
During emergencies, every minute within the “golden hour” is of lifesaving importance. One county fire department in Maryland has developed and implemented a new protocol that shaves valuable time off the dispatching process. Getting medical units en route in less time ensures fast delivery of medical care to those who
Ready & Able – But Not Always Willing
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 9, 2013
Public health agencies play a central role in responding to many different types of manmade and natural emergency situations – including, but not limited to, outbreaks of pandemic influenza, biological attacks, radiological incidents/events, and extreme weather emergencies. Unfortunately, the increased number of multi-casualty incidents in recent years (e.g., the 9/11
Public Health Response & Emergency Management Planning
Patrick P. Rose
October 9, 2013
Most disaster responses necessarily include a public health component. Emergency managers must always be aware of that fact when dealing with emerging threats and their possible consequences. By incorporating a public health response into emergency management planning, the nation will be much better prepared for the next pandemic or biological
When the First Down Becomes the Worst Down
Joseph Cahill
October 2, 2013
Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many modern venues, but are still underutilized. By building awareness and training for AED use as well as understanding the plans and procedures in place for managing such emergencies, school staff can increase the survival rates of young athletes who suffer from cardiac
Healthcare Preparedness – The Resilience Challenge
James Augustine
October 2, 2013
As the nation’s circumstances change, unexpected events unfold, and funding shifts, the priorities of the U.S. healthcare system must change with them. The location and timing of the bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon this year helped reduce the number of lives lost, but that incident still raised new concerns
Operationalizing the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Dane Egli and John Contestabile
September 25, 2013
Defining “resilience” is one challenge; putting it into action is another one, more difficult and more complex. The Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory is addressing both challenges, and recently asked a broad spectrum of thought leaders to help strengthen the nation’s ability “to adapt, withstand, and recover.”
Needed: More Biothreat Training for First Responders
Steven P. Bucci and Jennifer Corrente-Bucci
November 13, 2013
Biological weapons are the most significant threat the United States now faces. Identifying the signs and symptoms early is the best method of defending against such weapons, but U.S. military personnel are not yet properly equipped and trained to identify and prevent the spread of such threats.
Black Swans – Preparing for Pandemic & Biological Threats
Robert C. Hutchinson
November 6, 2013
The first step in preparing for a “Black Swan” event is to confirm that it actually exists. Once that is done, it is important to recognize its potential impact, implement the plans and strategies needed, and understand the roles played by all stakeholders involved.
NamUs: Narrowing the Search for Missing Persons
Joseph Cahill
November 6, 2013
Law enforcement officers, medical examiners, and coroners are now able to accumulate more data more quickly in their efforts to solve missing-person cases. Moreover, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System not only provides a wealth of helpful information to public agencies but also empowers families to help locate their
Protecting Life & Civil Liberties – Masters of Collaboration
Charles J. Guddemi
November 4, 2013
This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the United States Park Police (USPP) highlights the special event planning process, from the application form to the after-action report. The men and women of the USPP protect First Amendment rights, ensure the safety and security of visitors, and provide daily law enforcement protection. From
Public Health & the Congressional Budget Standoff
Chris Mangal
October 30, 2013
The federal government shutdown caused major disruptions throughout the nation. Federal employees are now back at work, but employees of U.S. public health laboratories still risk losing much more than their paychecks. Congressional budget conflicts and further public health funding reductions are likely in the near future, and those cuts
Public Health Answers for Non-Public Health Organizations
Chas Eby
October 23, 2013
Private companies and public agencies conduct business as usual most days, but emergency planners at these organizations should be acutely aware not only of the company’s vulnerabilities but also of any external threats to operations that might cause major problems. Cyber attacks, earthquakes, and/or a pandemic flu – to cite
Creating a Closed Point of Dispensing: A How-To Primer
David Reddick
October 23, 2013
During a bioterrorism event, the need to help 50,000 people seeking lifesaving medications can seem impossible for an already overwhelmed public healthcare facility. One solution for alleviating the congestion is to distribute medical countermeasures through other venues – for example, colleges and universities, businesses, and various private sector agencies and
Rapid Dispatching Reduces Call-Processing Times
Michael E. Cox Jr.
October 16, 2013
During emergencies, every minute within the “golden hour” is of lifesaving importance. One county fire department in Maryland has developed and implemented a new protocol that shaves valuable time off the dispatching process. Getting medical units en route in less time ensures fast delivery of medical care to those who
Ready & Able – But Not Always Willing
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 9, 2013
Public health agencies play a central role in responding to many different types of manmade and natural emergency situations – including, but not limited to, outbreaks of pandemic influenza, biological attacks, radiological incidents/events, and extreme weather emergencies. Unfortunately, the increased number of multi-casualty incidents in recent years (e.g., the 9/11
Public Health Response & Emergency Management Planning
Patrick P. Rose
October 9, 2013
Most disaster responses necessarily include a public health component. Emergency managers must always be aware of that fact when dealing with emerging threats and their possible consequences. By incorporating a public health response into emergency management planning, the nation will be much better prepared for the next pandemic or biological
When the First Down Becomes the Worst Down
Joseph Cahill
October 2, 2013
Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many modern venues, but are still underutilized. By building awareness and training for AED use as well as understanding the plans and procedures in place for managing such emergencies, school staff can increase the survival rates of young athletes who suffer from cardiac
Healthcare Preparedness – The Resilience Challenge
James Augustine
October 2, 2013
As the nation’s circumstances change, unexpected events unfold, and funding shifts, the priorities of the U.S. healthcare system must change with them. The location and timing of the bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon this year helped reduce the number of lives lost, but that incident still raised new concerns
Updating the National Infrastructure Protection Plan
William B. Anderson
September 18, 2013
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been gathering information from leaders across the nation to help update its National Infrastructure Protection Plan. One organization that has been playing an active role in the update process is The Infrastructure Security Partnership, which has facilitated working groups and discussions to help
Risk Assessment & Management: The Overlooked Component
Jennifer Ryan
September 17, 2013
Emergency managers assess risks that are likely to exist within their communities. Planned special events, however, may introduce additional risks that can easily be overlooked during those assessments. The National Capital Region and the state of Maryland are addressing this concern to help prevent the overwhelming of existing resources.
Building Resilience Early & Geographically
Stephen McElroy
September 11, 2013
Earthquakes have changed the course of rivers, tornadoes have uprooted and moved trees and homes, and other types of disasters have caused terrain and geographical changes that made it difficult for residents to recognize their own neighborhoods. Geographic information systems offer emergency managers and responders a valuable tool to help
A Network of Interoperability
Charles L. Werner
September 11, 2013
The Charlottesville Fire Department has been able to turn a difficult and labor-intensive task into a relatively simple daily routine. Having the right tools to communicate with other organizations, and to receive timely and accurate information, makes incident command operations easier to manage.
Saving Lives & Protecting Property: A Flood of Helpful Information
Terri Turner and George Deussen
September 11, 2013
The old cliché “I told you so” may apply when examining the effects of ongoing flood events. Statistics are available and warnings have been made, but not enough preventive measures are yet in place to save lives and protect property values in many U.S. communities.
Mitigating Risk: Protecting & Defending Critical Infrastructure
Natalie Lehr
September 4, 2013
Many facilities and services that are particularly critical for communities to function at full capacity are also vulnerable to both physical and intellectual harm. One solution to this problem is a unified management approach to protect the capital assets and business relationships needed to continue providing all essential services and
Worst-Case Scenarios: Sudden & Total Isolation
Joseph Cahill
September 4, 2013
The setting of national standards for the personal protective equipment worn and training received by first responders working in a hazardous-materials environment is a positive step forward.
NDMS Builds Capabilities With Fundamentals Course
Domestic Preparedness
September 3, 2013
The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is charged with augmenting the nation’s medical response in support of state and local authorities. To accomplish its mission, the NDMS has employed Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) – consisting of professional medical personnel, supported by logistics and administrative teams – across the country.
Insider Threats: A Call for Greater Vigilance
Joseph W. Trindal
August 28, 2013
When the defense for acts of insider espionage is personal conscience, at least some people show sympathy for the accused. The publicity given to such lone-actor miscreants – coupled with the growing development of and dependence on cyber capabilities – is reason enough for considerable concern in both the public
The Pursuit of Nukes: No Job for Amateurs
Richard Schoeberl
August 21, 2013
Unsecured and non-declared nuclear and radiological materials make a deadly combination, particularly attractive to terrorists. Forestalling the threat of any attack using weapons of mass destruction requires careful consideration of not only the sources of the materials used and the technological capabilities of those building such weapons but also the
Radioactive Sources – An Invisible Hazard
Stephen Jolly
August 21, 2013
Medical and industrial facilities, universities and colleges, cargo containers, and floodwaters have something in common with nuclear power plants – all of them can be a source of nuclear radiation. Knowing where radiation might be “hiding” within a community is the first step that emergency managers should take to protect
Radiological Emergencies – Public Health Responsibilities/Challenges
Audrey Mazurek and Raphael M. Barishansky
August 14, 2013
Over the past decade, U.S. public health agencies (local, state, and federal) have seen an increase of responsibility in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating emergencies. In addition to planning for responses to naturally occurring disease outbreaks, these agencies are often key partners in responding to weather
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