TERRORISM ARCHIVES
Staying Ahead of ‘The Big One’
Joseph Cahill
March 6, 2013
When the average citizen is confronted by an emergency situation beyond the routine, he or she is usually overwhelmed and forced to rely on emergency responders to take command and re-establish control. Unfortunately, the first responders themselves do not always have the same option. Their first task, usually, is to
Missing in Action: Private-Sector Situational Awareness
Michael J. Pitts
March 6, 2013
Immediately following an incident, the truly “first” responders usually are private citizens. However, the private sector’s responsibilities really begin by: identifying the warning signs, understanding the roles each citizen plays in the four phases of emergency management, and educating and training individual responders.
Liability Protection: An Often Overlooked Aspect of Business Continuity
David McWhorter
February 20, 2013
Makers and users of anti-terrorism products and services have more to fear than terrorism itself. After certain technologies have changed hands, the sellers and consumers alike may face future liabilities that would halt further production and/or the continuation of services. To guard against that problem, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Incident Command System: Perishable If Not Practiced
Stephen Grainer
February 17, 2013
Although the basic Incident Command System (ICS) is taught across emergency response disciplines, several shortcomings and constraints could lead to its downfall. Training for ICS is not a one-time occurrence, but should be an ongoing process of expanding knowledge, exercising skills, and passing on these abilities for the benefit of
Locked & Loaded in Syria
Richard Schoeberl
February 13, 2013
The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits “the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties.” However, when a nation refuses to sign the agreement and continues to stockpile chemical warfare agents, it raises worldwide concerns. In the case of Syria, its own citizens have good
Protecting Chemical Facilities Against Terrorist Attack
Patrick Coyle
February 6, 2013
The U.S. government’s chemical security program helps to identify high-risk targets for terrorist attacks based on the type of chemical being manufactured or delivered and the physical location of the facility where it is stored.
Understanding Public Health Emergency Declarations
Raphael M. Barishansky
January 23, 2013
Although avian influenza outbreaks occur periodically in poultry flocks, only recently has avian influenza been considered a significant threat to human health and the global economy. The 1997 emergence of H5N1 first brought attention to avian influenza’s ability to cause disease in humans. However, human infection with influenza from avian
An Overlooked Factor in Mass Killings
Joseph W. Trindal
January 16, 2013
Violent crime may be decreasing in the United States, but mass killings seem to be on the rise. Although media play a critical role in raising situational awareness, there are associated costs – misinformation, emotionally driven dialogue, and information that not only assists planning for other would-be attackers, but may
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
Additional Uses for Chemical Warfare Agent Detectors
Christopher Wrenn
December 26, 2012
Identifying and locating the source of noxious odors can be a difficult and time-consuming task. However, first responders are finding that they can use the advanced “sniffing” capability of their chemical warfare agent detectors for more than just terrorist attacks.
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
Follow Us
Get Instant Access
Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.
