Most recently published
Improving Officer Safety Through Preparation and Practice
Monica Giovachino
March 19, 2013
Although the Incident Command System (ICS) concept has been available for use since 1968, many law enforcement agencies are still faced with difficulties implementing ICS each and every time it is needed. When implemented properly, ICS can prevent some officers from dying in the line of duty.
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
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
Improving Officer Safety Through Preparation and Practice
Monica Giovachino
March 19, 2013
Although the Incident Command System (ICS) concept has been available for use since 1968, many law enforcement agencies are still faced with difficulties implementing ICS each and every time it is needed. When implemented properly, ICS can prevent some officers from dying in the line of duty.
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.
The Timely Art of Declaring a Public Health Emergency
Joseph Cahill
February 6, 2013
Swine flu, bird flu, and pandemic flu have been widely publicized by the news media over the past decade. Public health and emergency management officials walk a tight line, though, between the risk, on the one hand, of sounding an alarm prematurely and, on the other, of missing the pivotal
Protecting Chemical Facilities Against Terrorist Attack
Patrick Coyle
February 6, 2013
The U.S. government’s chemical security program helps to identify high-risk targets for terrorist attacks based on the type of chemical being manufactured or delivered and the physical location of the facility where it is stored.
The Local Imperative for Building and Sustaining National Resilience
Marko Bourne
January 30, 2013
Joplin High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School both suffered devastating disasters – one natural and one manmade. In both cases, the residents rallied behind their schools and their communities to rebuild and recover. Lesson learned: From unexpected events, unexpected leaders often emerge who are both willing and able to
Understanding Public Health Emergency Declarations
Raphael M. Barishansky
January 23, 2013
Although avian influenza outbreaks occur periodically in poultry flocks, only recently has avian influenza been considered a significant threat to human health and the global economy. The 1997 emergence of H5N1 first brought attention to avian influenza’s ability to cause disease in humans. However, human infection with influenza from avian
Preparing a Region for the Nation’s Inauguration
Craig DeAtley
January 23, 2013
Unlike the sudden release of toxic chemical agents, pathogens often are difficult to detect and prevent. Such threats evolve over time and have the ability to silently spread between communities. Identifying the threat early would help slow or prevent the spread of disease before it overwhelms a community’s response capabilities.
National Special Security Events: Transportation Checklists
Laurel J. Radow
January 23, 2013
Transportation to and from any special event can be a challenge, but there are additional requirements that must be met for events of national significance with the highest level of security. In the United States, the Federal Highway Administration provides checklists, publications, and even peer-to-peer support for professionals tasked with
2013 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut
Domestic Preparedness
January 22, 2013
You are invited to join more than one million people who will drop, cover, and hold during the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on 7 February 2013. This regional earthquake drill will include participants across nine states – and they will practice what to do when an actual earthquake occurs.
A Continuing Need for Accurate All-Hazard Assessments
Joseph W. Trindal
January 20, 2013
Making plans to avoid a perceived hazard can sometimes create a real hazard when a careful risk assessment is not conducted. Local hazmat and law enforcement experts must be brought in to work with public and private agencies before decisions about sheltering and establishing evacuation routes for those in danger
Active Shooter Preparedness
Domestic Preparedness
January 18, 2013
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to enhance preparedness through a “whole community” approach by providing training, products, and resources to a broad range of stakeholders on issues such as active shooter awareness, incident response, and workplace violence.
An Overlooked Factor in Mass Killings
Joseph W. Trindal
January 16, 2013
Violent crime may be decreasing in the United States, but mass killings seem to be on the rise. Although media play a critical role in raising situational awareness, there are associated costs – misinformation, emotionally driven dialogue, and information that not only assists planning for other would-be attackers, but may
Air, Sea, Land: No Detail Left Unplanned
Scott L. Brillman
January 16, 2013
As tall ships sailed into port, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flew overhead, and visitors filled the streets, the 2012 Sailabration in Baltimore, Maryland, became not only an official celebration but also a unique special event that required the collaboration, cooperation, and combined talents of hundreds of local volunteers and
Building a Bigger Better Buffer Zone Protection Plan
Richard Morman
January 16, 2013
Criticality, accessibility, recuperability, vulnerability, effect, and recognizability – all are essential elements that help identify risks and determine a course of action to protect potential targets of terrorist activity. By identifying risks and creating a “buffer zone” to protect valuable infrastructure, special events such as football games at The Ohio
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