Most recently published
Identifying Biological Hazards as They Happen
Joseph Cahill
November 2, 2011
Start at the beginning … or even earlier. The process for handling potential mass-casualty incidents – particularly when biological hazards are involved – is critical when lowering exposure risk and abating the spread of a toxic agent: Develop comprehensive response plans as far in advance as possible, gather the supplies
Sacramento P.D. Incorporates Training with Private-Sector Businesses
Domestic Preparedness
October 26, 2011
“Treat your employees right and they will treat the customers right.” That is both the motto and the official policy of the Sacramento, California, Police Department (P.D.). And, thanks to some helpful advice from Target and other area businesses, the results show it – a surprising drop in the local
MCM Dispensing: The Public Health Point of View
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 26, 2011
To plan for and defeat the frequently changing threats posed by pandemics (both natural and terrorist-related) requires advance planning, comprehensive training, and stockpiling mountains of supplies, including medications needed to protect literally millions of citizens. But these efforts involve numerous complexities.
HICS National Summit: Building on the Past, Preparing for the Future
Craig DeAtley
October 26, 2011
A distinguished DomPrep40 Advisor presents his exclusive insider’s report on a “Summit Meeting” held in California earlier this month during which the nation’s current Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines were discussed, debated, and dissected in minute detail. New policies that will develop as a result may well affect the
Tennessee Hospitals Use HERT to Enhance Preparedness
Shannon Arledge
October 19, 2011
The versatile Center for Domestic Preparedness, already a true national asset, continues to expand its curriculum – and its value to healthcare professionals throughout the country. The center’s Hospital Emergency Response Training course, the latest example, provides “incredible” hands-on training that will be particularly valuable in dealing with the decontamination
Public Health Lessons from Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee
Beth McAteer
October 19, 2011
Lee caused less damage and fewer fatalities, but vigorously reinforced the lethal lessons learned from Irene less than two months ago – namely, that: (a) There is absolutely no substitute for advance planning; (b) Planning must be as totally comprehensive, in every way, as is humanly possible; and (c) That
The Public Health Ethics of Contagion
Bruce Clements
October 12, 2011
The recent film Contagion illustrates the challenges a society may experience when facing a rapidly spreading and highly lethal virus. Director Steven Soderbergh carefully constructed the film to reflect a realistic public health and medical response to a severe pandemic. Many of the technical public health aspects of the film
Radiological and Psychological Medical Countermeasures
Sophia Paros
October 12, 2011
As natural and manmade disasters increase in intensity, the need for hospital preparedness plans, as well as mass relocation plans, becomes critical when taking into account the public health and medical needs of at-risk individuals and groups in the event of a public health emergency.
Afterglow – Countering the Deadly Effects of Radiation
Joseph Cahill
October 5, 2011
Silent, odor-free, invisible, and deadly: The radiation left by a dirty bomb, hazmat spill, or laboratory accident is usually difficult to detect and represents a “double danger” not only to those already on the scene of a potential mass-casualty incident but also to the EMTs and first responders seeking to
CDP’s School Bus Enhances Mass Triage Scenario
Shannon Arledge
October 5, 2011
The “first child” could not be saved, which meant that considerable time had already been wasted. But real life is a grim teacher – which is exactly why the Center for Domestic Preparedness makes its chilling incident scenarios as lifelike and realistic as possible. The end result: Invaluable training for
Building Resilience: Emergency Management Standards, Technology, and Training
Kay C. Goss
September 28, 2011
The term “Resilience” started out as a vague and ill-defined insiders’ buzzword, later escalated into a good idea, then became an operational goal, and eventually an equal partner with readiness, response, and recovery. In the last several years it has continued to evolve into a major area of operations and
Attaining Resilience: Getting From Here to There
Robert McCreight
September 28, 2011
Everyone is in favor of “good government” (at a reasonable cost). But a clear, complete, and universally accepted definition of what constitutes good government is almost impossible to find. The same holds true of “resilience” – which all responders, emergency managers, political leaders, and everyday citizens approve of – and
The Impact of Tracking on Response Efforts
Omar Alkhalaf
November 2, 2011
From Post-It notes to high-tech wireless systems, the evidence – verified by a horrendous mass-casualty incident (MCI) in California and close calls in several other states – is clear: Rapid, comprehensive, and well-controlled communications are key to the mounting and management of an effective response. Adherence to the National Incident
Identifying Biological Hazards as They Happen
Joseph Cahill
November 2, 2011
Start at the beginning … or even earlier. The process for handling potential mass-casualty incidents – particularly when biological hazards are involved – is critical when lowering exposure risk and abating the spread of a toxic agent: Develop comprehensive response plans as far in advance as possible, gather the supplies
Sacramento P.D. Incorporates Training with Private-Sector Businesses
Domestic Preparedness
October 26, 2011
“Treat your employees right and they will treat the customers right.” That is both the motto and the official policy of the Sacramento, California, Police Department (P.D.). And, thanks to some helpful advice from Target and other area businesses, the results show it – a surprising drop in the local
MCM Dispensing: The Public Health Point of View
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 26, 2011
To plan for and defeat the frequently changing threats posed by pandemics (both natural and terrorist-related) requires advance planning, comprehensive training, and stockpiling mountains of supplies, including medications needed to protect literally millions of citizens. But these efforts involve numerous complexities.
HICS National Summit: Building on the Past, Preparing for the Future
Craig DeAtley
October 26, 2011
A distinguished DomPrep40 Advisor presents his exclusive insider’s report on a “Summit Meeting” held in California earlier this month during which the nation’s current Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines were discussed, debated, and dissected in minute detail. New policies that will develop as a result may well affect the
Tennessee Hospitals Use HERT to Enhance Preparedness
Shannon Arledge
October 19, 2011
The versatile Center for Domestic Preparedness, already a true national asset, continues to expand its curriculum – and its value to healthcare professionals throughout the country. The center’s Hospital Emergency Response Training course, the latest example, provides “incredible” hands-on training that will be particularly valuable in dealing with the decontamination
Public Health Lessons from Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee
Beth McAteer
October 19, 2011
Lee caused less damage and fewer fatalities, but vigorously reinforced the lethal lessons learned from Irene less than two months ago – namely, that: (a) There is absolutely no substitute for advance planning; (b) Planning must be as totally comprehensive, in every way, as is humanly possible; and (c) That
The Public Health Ethics of Contagion
Bruce Clements
October 12, 2011
The recent film Contagion illustrates the challenges a society may experience when facing a rapidly spreading and highly lethal virus. Director Steven Soderbergh carefully constructed the film to reflect a realistic public health and medical response to a severe pandemic. Many of the technical public health aspects of the film
Radiological and Psychological Medical Countermeasures
Sophia Paros
October 12, 2011
As natural and manmade disasters increase in intensity, the need for hospital preparedness plans, as well as mass relocation plans, becomes critical when taking into account the public health and medical needs of at-risk individuals and groups in the event of a public health emergency.
Afterglow – Countering the Deadly Effects of Radiation
Joseph Cahill
October 5, 2011
Silent, odor-free, invisible, and deadly: The radiation left by a dirty bomb, hazmat spill, or laboratory accident is usually difficult to detect and represents a “double danger” not only to those already on the scene of a potential mass-casualty incident but also to the EMTs and first responders seeking to
CDP’s School Bus Enhances Mass Triage Scenario
Shannon Arledge
October 5, 2011
The “first child” could not be saved, which meant that considerable time had already been wasted. But real life is a grim teacher – which is exactly why the Center for Domestic Preparedness makes its chilling incident scenarios as lifelike and realistic as possible. The end result: Invaluable training for
Building Resilience: Emergency Management Standards, Technology, and Training
Kay C. Goss
September 28, 2011
The term “Resilience” started out as a vague and ill-defined insiders’ buzzword, later escalated into a good idea, then became an operational goal, and eventually an equal partner with readiness, response, and recovery. In the last several years it has continued to evolve into a major area of operations and
Beyond an Active-Shooter Scenario: Countering a Multimodal Martyrdom Operation
Joseph W. Trindal
September 21, 2011
Throughout history, the most difficult enemy to stop has been the lone-wolf assassin willing to sacrifice his/her own life for what he/she considers a noble cause. When that person is part of a larger team of would-be martyrs, the task becomes immensely more difficult and broader in scope. Advance training
Emergency Preparedness: The ABGs of Radiation
Jeffrey Williams
September 14, 2011
Although radiation hazards are not a new concern, the impact of such hazards on first responders and emergency managers has been brought to the forefront with events such as the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and the earthquake/tsunami nuclear power plant disaster in Fukushima, Japan, earlier this year. These
Resurrection & Remembrance: The World Trade Center
Joseph Cahill
September 14, 2011
During the fall of the twin towers, many responder groups, and individual responders, were forced to scatter. In addition, responder vehicles and equipment were lost, unit cohesion collapsed, and the air thickened into an almost opaque fluid. As the world’s visible edge moved closer and closer to the viewer on
Improving Situational Awareness During a Nuclear/Chemical Attack
Omar Alkhalaf
September 7, 2011
California’s Ventura County uses forward-looking tracking capabilities to plan for mass evacuations. Its emergency planners are already focusing on the worst-case scenarios of a future nuclear or chemical attack, including the possibility that hundreds of thousands of refugees from Los Angeles might see the county as their destination of choice
The Next Pandemic: Understanding the Public Health Role
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
September 7, 2011
In coping with pandemics, public health authorities play one of the most important roles in the overall process of planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. Although the term “pandemic” refers to a wide range of infectious diseases – e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), plague, smallpox, and tuberculosis – the current focus
Resilience – 2001 to 2011, and Beyond Survey
Kay C. Goss and Glen Rudner
September 7, 2011
Defining “resilience” across multiple sectors has been a challenge over the years but, in and of itself, does adequately describe what the nation as a whole must do to achieve greater resiliency. DomPrep wants to know your opinion on the nation’s present state of “resilience” and the effectiveness of current
The Growing Complexities of Port Rescue Operations
Corey Ranslem
August 31, 2011
Disaster-response operations are always risky, and almost always complicated. The risks and complications are demonstrably much greater, though, when the incident occurs in a major port, which is already a dangerous place to work and, in addition, has in recent years become a particularly attractive target for terrorists.
Answering the ‘What Ifs’ with Real-Life Training
Richard Schoeberl
August 24, 2011
The still young 21st century has already seen more acts of major terrorism, and more natural disasters, than ever before in recorded history. Most nations are for that reason improving their preparedness and response capabilities. But that is not enough – those capabilities must be thoroughly tested through a probably
Studying Hazardous Material Protective Gear in Action
Terrence K. Cloonan
August 17, 2011
With training programs offered in a “true toxic environment,” the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) offers the perfect environment to test and develop new requirements, guidelines, and procedures for personal protective equipment (PPE). Building user confidence in PPE is yet another opportunity offered to emergency responders at the CDP.
Corporate Support for a Healthcare Facility in Crisis
Craig DeAtley
August 17, 2011
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are marvelous at handling emergencies, healing the sick, and performing a host of minor and major daily miracles. But who heals the healer? In other words, what happens when the hospital itself is suffering from an explosion, an out-of-control fire, or any other type of
UK Approaches in Disaster Medical Education
James M. Matheson and Robert Stellman
August 17, 2011
In the long history of disaster medicine, it has never been more apparent than now how important it is to collaborate with a wide variety of disciplines and jurisdictions, both nationally and abroad. Responders from around the world can learn a lot from the UK’s expanding disaster medicine education and
Training for Multi-Agency Response Efforts
Jennifer Smither
August 10, 2011
Even successful responses can highlight areas in which improvement is needed in the training of responders, which is one reason – a big one – why the sharing of lessons learned is so important. Enhanced training that includes lessons from real-world situations and events can help responders familiarize themselves with
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