Law Enforcement Archives

Specialized Training for Rail Incidents

James Metzger May 7, 2014

First responder agencies must prepare for a variety of incidents that may occur within or near their jurisdictions. Even when an incident involving the movement of large numbers of people – for example, passenger rail transit – does not result in a mass-casualty scenario, many special considerations must be made

Lessons Learned – Nuclear Devices & Nuclear Threats

Stuart K. Cameron April 30, 2014

Ideally, widespread radiological and nuclear prevention efforts will prevent a nuclear detonation from ever occurring within the United States, but the investment in preplanning for the possible aftermath is time well spent should this worst-case scenario ever occur. The Manhattan Project and the Cold War provide valuable lessons that could

Nuclear Preparedness: Is the United States Ready

Craig DeAtley April 30, 2014

To address the gaps and concerns revealed in a recent article and the flash poll, subject matter experts who warned of the dangers in 2009 reunited five years later to address the issues that are still as real now as they were five years ago. Although there have been some

Preparing for the Unthinkable

Catherine L. Feinman April 30, 2014

An article, a flash poll, and a podcast each addressed the same topic: Is the United States prepared for a nuclear detonation? Each came to the same conclusion, “No, not as prepared as it needs to be.” The threat of a nuclear attack did not disappear with the Cold War,

Illinois – Lessons From a Radiological Incident Exercise

Shay Simmons and Curtis Hawk April 23, 2014

When a radiological incident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. However, the frequency and probability of such incidents limit many jurisdictions from being fully prepared and trained. Illinois officials understand the threat and conduct annual exercises to ensure that jurisdictions in and around its nuclear facilities are ready for their

Radiological Detection – A Strategy for Changing Public Opinion

Joseph W. Trindal April 23, 2014

The use and acceptance of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for the law enforcement community is changing, with a great potential for broader uses. By integrating radiation sensors with UAVs, law enforcement officers could better intercept suspected threats. However, the public is not yet “”sold”” on the concept of such

Civil Support Teams 101 – Removing Misconceptions

Gordon Hunter April 23, 2014

A DomPrep report published in March 2014 revealed some misconceptions about a valuable resource provided by the National Guard. Civil support teams provide no-cost assets to local jurisdictions for incidents, trainings, and exercises. As threats and missions evolve, local agencies should be familiar with all the tools in their toolboxes.

The Emerging Nuclear Threat Environment

Vayl S. Oxford April 16, 2014

The changing conditions in the Middle East and North Africa, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, and the impact of Iran’s nuclear program each have serious national security implications. To mitigate the emerging nuclear threat, agencies at all levels of government should perform five critical actions.

The ‘Dirty’ Details About Explosive Devices

Courtney Gavitt April 16, 2014

The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings caused confusion, frustration, and anger when race marshals abruptly ended the event. The consequences, though, could have been much greater had the initial reports been true. Knowing what makes a dirty bomb “dirty” is the first step to ensure the health and safety of all

The ‘Day After Disaster,’ Revisited

Craig DeAtley April 8, 2014

In the first 72 hours following a nuclear blast, survivors would face many challenges – communication, evacuation, sheltering, response, and incident command. Scenario 1 (Nuclear Detonation – Improvised Nuclear Device) of the National Response Framework was depicted in the History Channel’s “Day After Disaster” in 2009. Five years later, is

Nuclear Weapons – A Growing Security Threat

Richard Schoeberl April 2, 2014

Although there has not been another significant attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, the threat of terrorists acquiring materials to create weapons of mass destruction still exists. Leaders of countries around the world recently met to discuss the current nuclear and radiological threats and to develop preventive measures to secure

California – A Growing Response to Persistent Drought

Mark Ghilarducci March 26, 2014

The average person in the United States uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. California’s multiyear drought has broken new records, created unprecedented reductions in water supply, and demands personal conservation techniques. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been leading the charge toward mitigating this widespread

TWITTER

Get Instant Access

Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.

Sign up for Updates!