Most recently published
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
Special Events Challenges – A Sesquicentennial Example
Stephen Grainer
January 9, 2013
Much has changed in 150 years, but there are some constants – weather, geography, population – that are almost always changing. By understanding local climate conditions, the topography and transportation challenges involved, and the sometimes malicious intent of certain attendees, special event planners can prevent or at least mitigate the
Hands-On Training in an Internet World
Joseph Cahill
January 9, 2013
The added convenience of taking CE and professional development training online certainly has advantages. However, when considering enrolling in courses for base training purposes, there are some notable disadvantages as well – primarily involving skills training and testing – that also should be considered.
An Interview With the Honorable Paul McHale
Aaron Sean Poynton
December 26, 2012
The former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. homeland defense, comments on progress made as well as gaps that still need to be filled, and recommendations for better protecting the U.S. homeland in the
New WMD Concerns: Many Questions, But Few Answers
Glen Rudner
December 19, 2012
It is understandable that the end of the Cold War led not only to a relaxation of global tensions but also, to an alarming degree, to a less vigilant attitude about the major, complex, and increasingly dangerous threat posed by Syria, Iran, Libya, and other nations in various areas of
Resilience Principles: The Search for Optimum Combinations
Scott Jackson
December 19, 2012
Decision makers cannot use a one-size-fits-all solution to build their resilience plans. Before choosing a single solution, light must be shed on some of the more complex aspects of resilience analysis as well as several issues relevant to the implementation of resilience principles – and various combinations thereof.
From Risk to Resilience: A Social Enterprise Model
Timothy Tinker
December 19, 2012
Federal agencies are using lessons learned from past disasters to develop the holistic and dynamic communications needed to improve behavioral changes and develop meaningful public dialogue and engagement. Social motivation, social marketing, social media, social measures, and social models are essential building blocks in the construction of a stronger, more
Emergency Management in 2013
James Lee Witt
December 12, 2012
Emergency management can be one of the most challenging but at the same time exceptionally rewarding fields of human endeavor. As unexpected crises and natural disasters become more numerous and more intense, the need for a strong, coordinated, and well-resourced emergency management infrastructure in place is absolutely imperative.
The Future of Data Clouds
Marko Bourne
December 11, 2012
In the current economy, there is a continuing need to find cost-effective solutions for responding to and dealing with future threats. Cloud computing provides an innovative and effective way to meet the information needs of decision makers by storing and analyzing vast amounts of real-time data when coping with major
Superstorm Amplifies Need for Power Grid Modernization
J. Michael Barrett
December 5, 2012
The cost of updating the U.S. electrical grid structure is high, but the cost of not updating it is even higher. When assessing risks and setting goals, leaders must make tough decisions in order to develop an efficient, cost-effective system with standardized and interchangeable parts that can be shared among
Extraordinary Care: A Case Study for the Future
Joseph Cahill
December 5, 2012
Managing change and risk is an ongoing challenge for emergency medical services managers. One growing concern is whether, before transporting patients to the hospital, paramedics should be providing more care than is now required.
Biodefense: Eliminating the Threat
W. Craig Vanderwagen
November 21, 2012
“Success” in the interdiction and prevention modes of biodefense depends primarily on the assets and efforts of the intelligence and military communities, but in the response/recovery and deterrence modes rests largely in the domain of the emergency management community. Effective performance in all modes ultimately can lead not only to
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
Special Events Challenges – A Sesquicentennial Example
Stephen Grainer
January 9, 2013
Much has changed in 150 years, but there are some constants – weather, geography, population – that are almost always changing. By understanding local climate conditions, the topography and transportation challenges involved, and the sometimes malicious intent of certain attendees, special event planners can prevent or at least mitigate the
Hands-On Training in an Internet World
Joseph Cahill
January 9, 2013
The added convenience of taking CE and professional development training online certainly has advantages. However, when considering enrolling in courses for base training purposes, there are some notable disadvantages as well – primarily involving skills training and testing – that also should be considered.
An Interview With the Honorable Paul McHale
Aaron Sean Poynton
December 26, 2012
The former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. homeland defense, comments on progress made as well as gaps that still need to be filled, and recommendations for better protecting the U.S. homeland in the
New WMD Concerns: Many Questions, But Few Answers
Glen Rudner
December 19, 2012
It is understandable that the end of the Cold War led not only to a relaxation of global tensions but also, to an alarming degree, to a less vigilant attitude about the major, complex, and increasingly dangerous threat posed by Syria, Iran, Libya, and other nations in various areas of
Resilience Principles: The Search for Optimum Combinations
Scott Jackson
December 19, 2012
Decision makers cannot use a one-size-fits-all solution to build their resilience plans. Before choosing a single solution, light must be shed on some of the more complex aspects of resilience analysis as well as several issues relevant to the implementation of resilience principles – and various combinations thereof.
From Risk to Resilience: A Social Enterprise Model
Timothy Tinker
December 19, 2012
Federal agencies are using lessons learned from past disasters to develop the holistic and dynamic communications needed to improve behavioral changes and develop meaningful public dialogue and engagement. Social motivation, social marketing, social media, social measures, and social models are essential building blocks in the construction of a stronger, more
Emergency Management in 2013
James Lee Witt
December 12, 2012
Emergency management can be one of the most challenging but at the same time exceptionally rewarding fields of human endeavor. As unexpected crises and natural disasters become more numerous and more intense, the need for a strong, coordinated, and well-resourced emergency management infrastructure in place is absolutely imperative.
The Future of Data Clouds
Marko Bourne
December 11, 2012
In the current economy, there is a continuing need to find cost-effective solutions for responding to and dealing with future threats. Cloud computing provides an innovative and effective way to meet the information needs of decision makers by storing and analyzing vast amounts of real-time data when coping with major
Superstorm Amplifies Need for Power Grid Modernization
J. Michael Barrett
December 5, 2012
The cost of updating the U.S. electrical grid structure is high, but the cost of not updating it is even higher. When assessing risks and setting goals, leaders must make tough decisions in order to develop an efficient, cost-effective system with standardized and interchangeable parts that can be shared among
Extraordinary Care: A Case Study for the Future
Joseph Cahill
December 5, 2012
Managing change and risk is an ongoing challenge for emergency medical services managers. One growing concern is whether, before transporting patients to the hospital, paramedics should be providing more care than is now required.
Smallpox – Still a Viable Bioterrorist Threat
Richard Schoeberl
November 18, 2012
Article Out Loud The 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States and, shortly thereafter, the mailing of anthrax spores to several news agencies and the offices of two U.S. Senators became evidence of the need to improve U.S. homeland security in general and the nation’s biosecurity capabilities in particular. Congress
Biodefense – Protecting Public Health
Raphael M. Barishansky
November 14, 2012
As the threat of a biological attack against the United States increases, the nation’s public health sector faces many hurdles, including funding cuts and difficulties in integrating the plans and policies of various levels of government – and with the private sector. Since the 9/11 attacks, greater focus has been
Early Warning: The Front Line of Biodefense
Patrick P. Rose
November 14, 2012
During and after a known or suspected biological attack, most events initially play out in local hospitals where the first symptoms caused by a toxic agent are recognized. Raising awareness among medical staff and expanding current training programs will help healthcare providers respond to a possible biological event both more
Not All Components Are Equal, But All Are Essential
Joseph Cahill
November 7, 2012
Implementation of the guidelines undergirding new national anti-terrorism policies will be a major challenge for state & local health departments. But the end result will be a better coordinated and much more effective national healthcare community.
Planning Needs for Staff Medication Dispensing
Craig DeAtley
November 7, 2012
Three modes of operation, two of which might strain the trained EMS personnel resources immediately available but would not overwhelm them. Preparing for the third mode, a sudden mass-casualty scenario, must be done carefully and thoughtfully.
Critical Intersection of Diagnostics and Countermeasures
Chris Mangal
October 29, 2012
A biological agent is released, samples are collected, and then the diagnostic process begins. Laboratories within a national (and international) network screen for potential threats and determine the level of exposure and treatment required for each response. Such diagnostics provide the guidelines necessary for using and distributing medical countermeasures.
The Use of mHealth Technology for Pandemic Preparedness
Sara Rubin
October 24, 2012
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more than 600,000 people in the United States alone and an estimated 20 million or more victims worldwide. Today, infectious diseases continue to pose a significant health security threat to nations throughout the world. Because of the increasing mobility of the global population, it
Concurrent Distribution of Anthrax Vaccine & Antibiotics
Sarah Keally
October 24, 2012
Current plans for combatting the effects of an anthrax attack at the local level include the use of antibiotics. Although federal agencies recommend – and the Strategic National Stockpile provides – anthrax vaccine adsorbed as a medical countermeasure against such attacks, the vaccine currently is not included in the preparedness
State & Local Medical Countermeasures: The 12-Hour Push
Kay C. Goss
October 17, 2012
Emergency managers are working hard, on a continuing basis, to improve and support the national capability to assist in providing assets to affected areas during an extreme biological incident or emergency requiring medical countermeasures.
Draeger Hosts Free Firefighter Webinar on Thermal Imaging Cameras
Domestic Preparedness
October 17, 2012
Dräger announces that it will hold a free webinar entitled “Expect More from Your Thermal Imaging Camera!” to educate firefighters on how today’s new thermal imaging camera technology can help them on the job.
Identifying & Isolating Bio-Threats Before They Present
Patrick P. Rose
October 17, 2012
An emerging infectious disease or a bioterrorism attack must be prevented from spreading globally even when the effectiveness of predictive measures and detection programs is in question. In addition to current medical countermeasures, defending against biological threats may require the enforcement of control measures that rely on non-medical public health
National Fire Academy Adds Two New Applied Research Courses to NFA Online
Domestic Preparedness
October 16, 2012
The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) announces the availability of two new NFA Online courses: Data Gathering Instruments to Support Applied Research Projects (Q170) and Designing an Applied Research Project Proposal (Q171).
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