Emergency Management

Credentialing of Private-Sector Disaster Support Personnel When disaster strikes U.S. government agencies often turn to the private sector for assistance. But incident commanders cannot always be sure if non-government volunteers who show up are who they claim to be and/or possess the skills/training needed. read

U.S. Businesses Respond to Community Needs Three Cheers for three retail giants - WalMart, Home Depot, and Lowe's, all of which stepped forward to provide urgently needed building materials and the mountains of other supplies required to help restore order in the aftermath of Hurricanes and Rita. read

Coordination and Command Policies for Mass Evacuations When unexpected disaster strikes, many citizens head for the high ground. But they will not get there if state & local leaders have not agreed, ahead of time, on the policies to be implemented, the routes to be followed, & the safety rules to be enforced. read

Security Protocols at Emergency Shelters The care and feeding of thousands of sudden evacuees is a massive responsibility. Even more daunting in some respects is the need to adhere to the numerous guidelines mandated by FEMA, state & local governments, & unforeseeable practical realities. read

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EMS

Fleet Decontamination During a Pandemic Decontamination, disinfection, and the use of liquid hand cleaners - all are among the most important "weapons" in the first-responder community's fight against a potential flu pandemic. And it's a battle to the death. Literally. read

WebEOC Fusion for Disasters and Everyday Use Flexibility, versatility, and a quantum upgrade in overall capabilities are the biggest selling points of ESi's newest WebEOC system, unveiled last month at the company's fourth annual User Conference in Boston. read

Resource-Typing Implications for EMS and Emergency Management Attention to detail is frequently the principal difference between the success, or failure, of any human endeavor. That is particularly true in times of sudden disaster, when "mere words" - precisely expressed - may have life-or-death implications. read

Force Protection - First, Protect the Protectors Not enough masks and/or medical supplies - those shortages can be overcome. But when there are not enough EMTs or paramedics, or if those who are available are among the early victims, there is no quick and easy way to find replacements. read

A Burning Question: National Fire Insurance? The almost pandemic outbreak of wildfires in California & other western states last year has aroused interest in a sometimes proposed but never authorized partial solution: enactment of a federally subsidized program to help high-risk communities. read

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Fire HAZMAT

Incident Action Plans for Hazmat/WMD Incidents A quick but accurate analysis of unknown but potentially lethal agents detected by first responders at the scene of a mass-casualty incident can save many, many lives. That analysis requires skill, knowledge, and state-of-the-art analytical equipment. read

Incident Action Planning - A Step-by-Step Process The key to coping successfully with a mass-casualty incident or similar event is to plan ahead - as carefully and in as much detail as possible. It takes a lot of work, and all of it extremely tedious. But the end result is well worth the effort expended. read

Incident Action Planning: Staying the Course When and how do operating procedures become standard? Why are incident action plans so important? And what is the definition of an "expanding" incident? Anyone who cannot answer these questions will not meet the NIMS criteria for ICS-300. read

The Management of Mass-Fatality Incidents Reverence, respect, professional expertise, and detailed planning - all are among the essential tools needed by state and local planners to successfully deal with the aftermath of a major disaster causing a large number of deaths and injuries. read

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Law Enforcement

Crowd-Control Challenges in Pandemic Emergencies Despite much improved health care throughout the world, when (not if) the "next pandemic" strikes it would almost certainly spread rapidly - and could kill millions, cause global economic chaos, and create widespread political unrest. read

Real ID: No Impediment to Law-Enforcement Photo Sharing There are still some political hurdles ahead, but law-enforcement agencies throughout the country should soon be able to thwart terrorist acts and stop other crimes by the simple exchange of drivers-license photos from one state to another. read

TVA and Protection of the Critical Infrastructure The Tennessee Valley Authority is basically a huge and highly successful mega-corporation that has to deal with private-sector funding and operational realities while also adhering to federal, state, and local rules and regulations. read

Reducing the AN Threat: Congress Acts to Prevent Murrah Bombing Repeat A commonly used agricultural compound, ammonium nitrate (AN), was the principal ingredient in the homemade "weapon" used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. After years of debate and delay, AN is finally coming under much tighter government control. read

The Registered Traveler Program: Faster Passenger Screening? Or a Security Loophole? The TSA-vetted Registered Traveler program is designed to reduce waiting time at U.S. airports and for that reason should be well received by frequent flyers. Is there a hidden flaw in the program, though? Read here to find out. read

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