By BARRY KANNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 04, 2009.
In times of sudden disaster, help may be just around the corner - particularly if a ham radio operator is living there. Their ranks are legion, they usually pay all of their own costs, and they are among the most highly skilled communicators in the country. That combination makes them especially valuable as invisible volunteers in the nation's domestic-preparedness community.
By RODRIGO (RODDY) MOSCOSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 15, 2011
The old saying that, "No matter where you go, there you are," has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news.
by JUDY KRUGER & KYLE OVERLY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Before 2019, partner agencies coordinated incident command primarily from a physical emergency operations center (EOC). This practice shifted to virtual EOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic for many agencies. Virtual EOCs can effectively address community needs through all phases of consequence management. Emergency management and partner agencies have found virtual on-scene coordination efficient, cost-effective, and flexible.
by HAILEY YORK & LINDSEY LANE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Human trafficking is the world’s second-largest criminal industry. In the wake of natural disasters, the risk to vulnerable populations rises. This article informs preparedness and response professionals on how to better protect their communities and prepare their workforces to identify the signs of human trafficking, understand recruiting methods, consider pre-existing vulnerabilities, and learn other information to mitigate this growing threat.
By MARKO BOURNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, 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 lead their communities back to some form of "normal."
By SARA RUBIN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, October 24, 2012.
By using mHealth technologies, local health departments can improve their efficiency and effectiveness not only in communicating with the public but also in dispensing medical countermeasures during large-scale pandemics. Current initiatives can offer a starting point on how to integrate mobile technology into local preparedness planning efforts.
by ROBERT C. HUTCHINSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Although it may not have been readily apparent in early 2020, the federal government did have a comprehensive national strategy and implementation plan for a pandemic threat. Despite having these resources and knowledge, the United States was still unprepared to effectively respond to COVID-19. This article points out the preparedness gaps and the urgency to close them before the next major public health threat.
by ERIN VALENTINE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal
Effective trainings are ones where the participants remember and later implement what they learned into their daily operations. Not everyone knows how they would respond in a true emergency. However, some trainings provide a more realistic glimpse into disaster scenarios than others. This first-hand account describes what it was like for one participant inside a hospital training facility.
By THOMAS P. RUSSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 08, 2012.
Having choices opens many opportunities for patients and responders as well as medical staff within the U.S. healthcare system. However, that benefit has led to complications in communications and the sharing of information. Healthcare coalitions are seeking better ways to meet daily operational goals while at the same time expanding the capabilities available to cope with emergency surges and mass-casualty incidents.
By SETH KOMANSKY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 23, 2017.
First responders are often deployed to unique operating environments, which include large-scale special events with many participants and spectators: street festivals; road races or marathons; concerts; and sporting events. These environments require leadership to take a forward-thinking posture in the planning process to develop a strategy. It also relies on front-line personnel to execute tactics that vary from day-to-day operations.
