Most recently published
Transportation Requirements for Special Needs Populations
Thomas Russo
April 17, 2013
Decision makers, managers, and responders who focus on special needs populations require additional planning to ensure the safe evacuation and well-being, following a major disaster, of those entrusted to their care. Among those populations, there are three distinct groups – those with transportation; those without transportation; and those who cannot
Catastrophic Planning vs. Conventional Disaster Planning
Dennis R. Schrader
April 17, 2013
Since 9/11 and Katrina, significant federal funding has been invested in planning for similar incidents and events that may (or may not) happen in the future. Meanwhile, state and local planners must focus their efforts on the incidents most likely to occur within their own jurisdictions. This approach seems eminently
Providing Security for High-Speed Rail
William Rooney
April 17, 2013
In a fast-paced world, it makes sense to increase the speed of transportation. However, as plans are being created, there is much more to consider than simply the costs, design, and location of new high-speed rail projects. For one thing, this new mode of transportation will also draw significant attention
Shipping Containers & Hidden Dangers
Richard Schoeberl
April 10, 2013
The detonation of a weapon of mass destruction within a U.S. seaport is one of the most frightening scenarios facing the nation’s security and intelligence professionals. Although complying with a 100-percent screening mandate would be very costly, “randomly” selecting a few containers to search may be a huge gamble. The
Key Hazards & Security Guides
Stephan A. Parker
April 10, 2013
Established in 1920 as the “National Advisory Board on Highway Research,” the Transportation Research Board (TRB) facilitates information sharing and broadly disseminates valuable transportation research. Understanding where to find the data needed to make policy and procedural decisions is the first step in managing all-hazards incidents.
The Security of Healthcare Facilities – A Growing Challenge
Craig DeAtley
April 3, 2013
Whether the situation involves person-on-person violence, forensic patient management, or the handling of patient property, healthcare facilities (HCFs) across the United States are finding themselves with a growing number of security-related issues that require well-trained and highly skilled security officers. Today’s healthcare facility security officer is no longer a “guard”
The Dangerous New World of the Social/Anti-Social Media
Joseph Cahill
April 3, 2013
Civilian responders have successfully acquired many skills that were originally developed by military services. Situational awareness is one such skill that would be beneficial to adapt to the civilian members of the emergency medical services. Maintaining a heightened sense of awareness would help responders stay “in the loop.”
U.S.-Mexico Border Security – The Spillover Effect
Richard Schoeberl
March 27, 2013
Some statistical data suggest that the crime rate is rising along the U.S.-Mexico border and “spilling over” into the United States. Other data, however, suggest that such crime has actually declined in recent years. The differing results are greatly affected by the definition of “spillover,” gathering and interpreting accurate statistics,
Hybrid Targeted Violence: Fire, Firearms & Complex Threats
Tracy Frazzano and G. Matthew Snyder
March 26, 2013
First responders have been specially trained to deal with fires, active shooters, hazardous materials, and other threats to public safety – but they are not as prepared for an attack that involves a combination of those threats, or even simultaneous attacks at several locations. One possible solution: Multi-discipline training to
Enhancing Zones to Protect the Emergency Responder
Glen Rudner
March 20, 2013
The top priority of the responders who are called to a fire or other incident, of course, is scene safety. To reduce the chances of those responders becoming victims themselves, fire departments should communicate and work closely with law enforcement agencies to better understand the perimeters and resources that the
Gas Refinery Attack in Algeria: The Lessons Learned (Mobile)
Joseph W. Trindal
March 20, 2013
When the In Amenas Gas Refinery was attacked at the beginning of 2013, the swift actions of workers prevented the terrorists from fully implementing their plans, which would have created a greater tragedy and an even greater loss of lives. A lot can be learned by reviewing the events that
Gas Refinery Attack in Algeria: The Lessons Learned
Joseph W. Trindal
March 20, 2013
When the In Amenas Gas Refinery was attacked at the beginning of 2013, the swift actions of workers prevented the terrorists from fully implementing their plans, which would have created a greater tragedy and an even greater loss of lives. A lot can be learned by reviewing the events that
Avoiding the Threat Posed by Predictive Certainty
Michael Vesely
April 24, 2013
Trying to predict risks is a risk in itself. It is, of course, difficult to quantify numerically the overarching risk involving a particular asset. However, the more complex the assessment model used, the less likely it is that most people will understand it and the greater effort that must be
Transportation Requirements for Special Needs Populations
Thomas Russo
April 17, 2013
Decision makers, managers, and responders who focus on special needs populations require additional planning to ensure the safe evacuation and well-being, following a major disaster, of those entrusted to their care. Among those populations, there are three distinct groups – those with transportation; those without transportation; and those who cannot
Catastrophic Planning vs. Conventional Disaster Planning
Dennis R. Schrader
April 17, 2013
Since 9/11 and Katrina, significant federal funding has been invested in planning for similar incidents and events that may (or may not) happen in the future. Meanwhile, state and local planners must focus their efforts on the incidents most likely to occur within their own jurisdictions. This approach seems eminently
Providing Security for High-Speed Rail
William Rooney
April 17, 2013
In a fast-paced world, it makes sense to increase the speed of transportation. However, as plans are being created, there is much more to consider than simply the costs, design, and location of new high-speed rail projects. For one thing, this new mode of transportation will also draw significant attention
Shipping Containers & Hidden Dangers
Richard Schoeberl
April 10, 2013
The detonation of a weapon of mass destruction within a U.S. seaport is one of the most frightening scenarios facing the nation’s security and intelligence professionals. Although complying with a 100-percent screening mandate would be very costly, “randomly” selecting a few containers to search may be a huge gamble. The
Key Hazards & Security Guides
Stephan A. Parker
April 10, 2013
Established in 1920 as the “National Advisory Board on Highway Research,” the Transportation Research Board (TRB) facilitates information sharing and broadly disseminates valuable transportation research. Understanding where to find the data needed to make policy and procedural decisions is the first step in managing all-hazards incidents.
The Security of Healthcare Facilities – A Growing Challenge
Craig DeAtley
April 3, 2013
Whether the situation involves person-on-person violence, forensic patient management, or the handling of patient property, healthcare facilities (HCFs) across the United States are finding themselves with a growing number of security-related issues that require well-trained and highly skilled security officers. Today’s healthcare facility security officer is no longer a “guard”
The Dangerous New World of the Social/Anti-Social Media
Joseph Cahill
April 3, 2013
Civilian responders have successfully acquired many skills that were originally developed by military services. Situational awareness is one such skill that would be beneficial to adapt to the civilian members of the emergency medical services. Maintaining a heightened sense of awareness would help responders stay “in the loop.”
U.S.-Mexico Border Security – The Spillover Effect
Richard Schoeberl
March 27, 2013
Some statistical data suggest that the crime rate is rising along the U.S.-Mexico border and “spilling over” into the United States. Other data, however, suggest that such crime has actually declined in recent years. The differing results are greatly affected by the definition of “spillover,” gathering and interpreting accurate statistics,
Hybrid Targeted Violence: Fire, Firearms & Complex Threats
Tracy Frazzano and G. Matthew Snyder
March 26, 2013
First responders have been specially trained to deal with fires, active shooters, hazardous materials, and other threats to public safety – but they are not as prepared for an attack that involves a combination of those threats, or even simultaneous attacks at several locations. One possible solution: Multi-discipline training to
Enhancing Zones to Protect the Emergency Responder
Glen Rudner
March 20, 2013
The top priority of the responders who are called to a fire or other incident, of course, is scene safety. To reduce the chances of those responders becoming victims themselves, fire departments should communicate and work closely with law enforcement agencies to better understand the perimeters and resources that the
Gas Refinery Attack in Algeria: The Lessons Learned (Mobile)
Joseph W. Trindal
March 20, 2013
When the In Amenas Gas Refinery was attacked at the beginning of 2013, the swift actions of workers prevented the terrorists from fully implementing their plans, which would have created a greater tragedy and an even greater loss of lives. A lot can be learned by reviewing the events that
Predictive Policing: Actionable Information About Potential Crimes
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
March 13, 2013
The most cost-effective way to fight crime may well be to prevent it from happening in the first place. Current predictive software is helping law enforcement agencies combat crime by directing their limited resources to the locations where they will be most useful. However, doing so may raise certain legal
Unique Dangers Posed by Lone-Wolf Terrorists
Jeffrey D. Simon
March 13, 2013
Members of terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida follow a general, albeit loose, organizational/leadership structure, which includes planning and communicating with other members of their group or cell. The sometimes greater danger posed by lone wolves, on the other hand, is that they are not limited by the views and actions
Staying Ahead of ‘The Big One’
Joseph Cahill
March 6, 2013
When the average citizen is confronted by an emergency situation beyond the routine, he or she is usually overwhelmed and forced to rely on emergency responders to take command and re-establish control. Unfortunately, the first responders themselves do not always have the same option. Their first task, usually, is to
Missing in Action: Private-Sector Situational Awareness
Michael J. Pitts
March 6, 2013
Immediately following an incident, the truly “first” responders usually are private citizens. However, the private sector’s responsibilities really begin by: identifying the warning signs, understanding the roles each citizen plays in the four phases of emergency management, and educating and training individual responders.
Police Training for Hazardous Threats
Shannon Arledge
March 6, 2013
Hazardous material threats come in many forms and can be found in any law enforcement jurisdiction. When police officers and other responders encounter such threats their lives and the safety of many others may depend on them knowing what to do and how to do it. Training them, and helping
Developing & Deploying Multi-Use Technologies
Glen Rudner
February 27, 2013
With the high cost of creating new technologies and the budget restraints of those who will be using the products, it is critical that developers, policy makers, and end users are all involved in each phase of the development process. A unified approach for developing an adaptable multi-use technology will
Implementing PPD-8: New Opportunities, Greater Challenges
Amanda Faul
February 26, 2013
Improving national resilience is a process that requires developing and promulgating new policies, defining missions and capabilities, and implementing change through training and education. As the two-year anniversary of Presidential Policy Directive 8 approaches, policy makers and responders are learning much more about the planning opportunities, and new challenges, they
Liability Protection: An Often Overlooked Aspect of Business Continuity
David McWhorter
February 20, 2013
Makers and users of anti-terrorism products and services have more to fear than terrorism itself. After certain technologies have changed hands, the sellers and consumers alike may face future liabilities that would halt further production and/or the continuation of services. To guard against that problem, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Incident Command System: Perishable If Not Practiced
Stephen Grainer
February 17, 2013
Although the basic Incident Command System (ICS) is taught across emergency response disciplines, several shortcomings and constraints could lead to its downfall. Training for ICS is not a one-time occurrence, but should be an ongoing process of expanding knowledge, exercising skills, and passing on these abilities for the benefit of
Preparing Health Professionals & Emergency Managers in 2013
Jack Herrmann
February 13, 2013
National Security Special Events such as the presidential inauguration require dozens of committees working closely together to coordinate efforts to protect the health and security of all visitors and participants. Stationary and mobile medical units were strategically positioned to address any health concern that might arise.
Locked & Loaded in Syria
Richard Schoeberl
February 13, 2013
The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits “the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties.” However, when a nation refuses to sign the agreement and continues to stockpile chemical warfare agents, it raises worldwide concerns. In the case of Syria, its own citizens have good
Partnering: A Key to Effective Preparation & Response
Thomas (Tom) Moran
February 12, 2013
Super Storm Sandy caused major power outages and service interruptions throughout many communities in New Jersey and New York. Thanks in part to the assistance provided by previously established partnerships of the All Hazards Consortium, the public and private sectors were better able to coordinate the services and efforts needed
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