SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVES
Fortress at Risk: Critical Infrastructure and Violent Extremism
Thomas Brzozowski
August 27, 2025
Extremism gives rise to individuals, groups, and networks who see critical infrastructure as a prime target for violence. In reality, the concept of a shared-responsibility model can falter under the strain of a cascading failure. Preparation depends less on policy and more on practiced coordination before an incident occurs.
Reimagining Readiness: The Future of Emergency Management in Homeland Defense
Cody Santiago
August 6, 2025
Underdeveloped civilian emergency management integration with Department of Defense resources results in gaps in preparedness, intelligence-sharing, and response coordination. A more integrated framework can incorporate emergency management as a core pillar of homeland defense, improve intelligence-sharing, and strengthen resilience.
The Optimism Bias Trap: Rethinking Threat Preparedness
Joshua Sullivan
August 6, 2025
Mass violence increasingly targets ordinary people performing routine duties in uniform, behind the wheel of marked vehicles, or responding to emergency calls. This evolution in tactics calls for a fundamental reassessment of preparedness strategies. Yet, a troubling obstacle remains within many public safety agencies: optimism bias.
Not Optional: The Public Health Consequences of Dismantling Emergency Infrastructure
Andrew D. Pickett and Raphael M. Barishansky
July 30, 2025
During the COVID-19 crisis, decades of investment in healthcare emergency infrastructure—funded through two key federal programs—allowed emergency operations centers to mobilize rapidly, hospital coalitions to coordinate care, and surveillance systems to monitor community spread. However, 2025 federal proposals threaten to dismantle this funding, significantly undermining the nation’s ability to respond
Wildfires: The Growing Public Health Threat
Robert LaMacchia
July 23, 2025
Protecting people from wildfire smoke is a necessary extension of environmental resilience and public health strategy. Public health systems must adapt to effects from respiratory issues and other vulnerable populations as a measure of preparedness.
A Seven-Phase Framework for Organizational Resilience
Michelle Colosimo
July 16, 2025
Organizations cannot always dictate the course of a crisis—whether an incident, active threat, or natural disaster—but they can shape their own readiness and response. This seven-phase framework equips leaders to protect their teams, stay mission-focused, and rebound with resilience.
Communication and Decision-Making During COVID: Lessons From Virginia
Erin Sutton
July 16, 2025
Traditional hierarchical structures present challenges when crises span jurisdictions, agencies, and organizations. Lessons learned from Virginia’s COVID-19 response revealed a different path forward—one that prioritized communication design and demonstrated that thoughtful organizational coordination can improve decision-making and life-saving outcomes.
Integrating Research Labs Into Emergency Response
Joshua Dise and Anthony Falzarano
July 9, 2025
In today’s complex threat environment, the ability to move from pathogen detection to action depends on infrastructure and intentional integration between laboratory science and first response. Fostering cross-disciplinary relationships now—before the next biological crisis—can create an agile, informed, and resilient health security system capable of protecting populations, agriculture, and ecosystems
Mitigating Emerging and Re-Emerging Public Health Threats
Raphael M. Barishansky
July 9, 2025
Preparedness is not a luxury—it is essential for global health security. Emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and re-emerging threats like measles and polio demand coordinated, sustained action. Strengthening health systems and embedding preparedness into public health efforts will better protect lives and livelihoods.
A Holistic Strategy for Responders’ Well-Being
Camilo Olivieri
May 7, 2025
First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
Bridging Communication Gaps: Lessons from Hurricane Helene
Greg Hauser
April 30, 2025
Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invisible breakdown of communication systems intensified the sense of isolation and
Connectivity: The Foundation of Disaster Response and Preparedness
Cory Davis
April 30, 2025
In an era of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the demands on first responders have never been greater. To navigate high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations, reliable connectivity and cutting-edge technology are essential. A fast, secure, and resilient communications network is the backbone of any effective disaster response.
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