CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
EMS Professionals and the CERTification of Volunteers
The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program is a federal initiative that encourages private citizens to volunteer to help out in times of disaster – and gives them a way to do so. Typically, these volunteers receive training in emergency operations well in advance of potential disasters and are deployed primarily to support existing emergency services. CERT was conceived, therefore, as an adjunct to emergency services during a disaster, not as a substitute or replacement for those services. The…
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The DoD Defense Coordinating Element and How It Is Certified
Patrick McNiece
April 17, 2023
While the main mission of the defense coordinating element (DCE) is defending the homeland, Department of Defense (DoD) capabilities can be important in supporting citizens in case of major disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and the like. This article describes the mission and composition of the DCE and how Army
A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery
Robert J. (Bob) Roller
March 15, 2023
Federal government-wide disaster planning dates to the Cold War-era Federal Response Plan (FRP) and similar documents that described how the United States would respond to nuclear war and severe disasters. This singular plan was maintained and updated after the Cold War ended. However, following the attacks of September 11, 2001,
Building Business Post-Disaster – A Florida Case Study
Mark McQueen
February 8, 2023
There is a familiar saying among emergency planners: “Never let a crisis go to waste.” Though it seems counterintuitive to those outside the industry, planners and decision-makers understand opportunities can be found in the wake of great devastation. Even as they recognize this potential, it can be challenging to know
PACEing a Communications Resilience Plan
Charles J. Guddemi
February 8, 2023
On the night of January 10, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system, which communicates real-time hazards to pilots and airports, failed for an unknown reason. The backup communications provided critical updates to pilots but were insufficient to sustain operations. By morning, operations had to cease
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHIVES
The Importance of Strong Leadership for a Unique Discipline
Catherine Feinman
December 21, 2022
A transformational leadership style can help bridge relationship and communication gaps between
leaders and other community stakeholders. Learn how one young deputy fire chief learned from
Avoiding the Complacency Trap After This Hurricane Season
Mark Misczak
November 23, 2022
Despite punishing hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida, the 2022 season has been relatively quiet for much of the Gulf coast and Atlantic seaboard. This
Training the Next Generation of Cyber Guardians
Steve Stein
November 2, 2022
Despite small local governments being overrun with malware, ransomware, and myriad other threats,
it is difficult to find experienced cybersecurity professionals. Meanwhile, students search for
nonexistent entry-level
Community Resilience & Functional Needs
Marko Bourne
November 1, 2022
On 7 November 2013, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that: (a) New York City’s emergency planning inadequately accommodates people with disabilities; and (b) the
Chemical Sector Perspectives
Patrick Coyle
October 5, 2022
Section 1016 of the USA Patriot Act (codified at 42 USC 5195e) provides the current definition of critical infrastructure, describing systems and assets that are
Resources Not to Be Overlooked
Catherine Feinman
September 28, 2022
The term “whole community” is frequently used in preparedness materials and discussions. In
practice, though, how often is the whole community represented and all community resources
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CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
EMS Professionals and the CERTification of Volunteers
The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program is a federal initiative that encourages private citizens to volunteer to help out in times of disaster – and gives them a way to do so. Typically, these volunteers receive training in emergency operations well in advance of potential disasters and are deployed primarily to support existing emergency services. CERT was conceived, therefore, as an adjunct to emergency services during a disaster, not as a substitute or replacement for those services. The…
Most Recent
Benefits of Industrial Liaisons – A Harris County Example
Jamie Hannon
January 11, 2023
Planners in the Harris County, Texas, area are successful specifically because of the relationships
they have built over many years. For example,
Building Design for Safety and Resilience – First Steps
Paul Marshall
January 11, 2023
There is a need for more resilience as it applies to emergency preparedness in the design, construction, and renovation of
Beachie Creek Fire – A Practitioner’s Firsthand Account
Chuck Perino
January 4, 2023
When disaster strikes, sometimes those trained to respond find themselves and their families fleeing from the fire. Once their families
Publisher’s Note: Auld Lang Syne (A Chance to Recollect and Restore)
MacGregor Stephenson
December 28, 2022
As we come to the end of a challenging year and a tumultuous period, please know that your efforts
are appreciated,
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Archives
What Preparedness & Response Leaders Need in the New Normal
Catherine Feinman
July 6, 2022
To address the challenges that emergency preparedness professionals face in an ever-changing threat
environment, the Domestic Preparedness Journal hosted a panel discussion at the Texas Emergency
Management Conference
Building Capability: Zero Tolerance vs. Acceptability
Christopher Tantlinger
June 22, 2022
A tool designed with zero tolerance would not be able to function efficiently or effectively.
Likewise, taking a zero-tolerance approach to emergency preparedness and response has
Overcoming Challenges – Do Not Skip Steps
Catherine Feinman
April 27, 2022
In some ways, communities are well prepared for emergencies. However, it is critical to
continuously assess systems, structures, models, and procedures to identify even small weaknesses
Securing & Protecting the Nation’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Raymond Walker and Chandler Lofland
April 13, 2022
The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack in May 2021 exposed the urgent need to safeguard and upgrade the critical infrastructure systems in the United States. Congress
Closing Preparedness Gaps – Timing Is Everything
Catherine Feinman
March 30, 2022
In some ways, communities are well prepared for emergencies. However, it is critical to
continuously assess systems, structures, models, and procedures to identify even small weaknesses
Bipartisan Commission Says Nation Unprepared for Biological Events
Asha M. George and John T. O'Brien
March 9, 2022
On 17 February 2022, Dr. Asha M. George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on
Biodefense, testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Committee
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