Today's Top Picks
Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
Emergency management officials understand that communication issues often arise during events and will be addressed in after-action reviews. Responding to Mitchell County, North Carolina, as part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s (TDEM) Incident Support Task Force, I experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a…
Editor’s Note: Responding to Disasters in 2025 and Beyond
At the beginning of each new year, discussions about change and what will happen in the upcoming year tend to dominate conversations, and 2025 is no exception. The rapid pace of technological innovations, frequent changes in leadership, and other factors make it challenging but not impossible to prepare for…
All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
Of all the scenarios emergency preparedness professionals face—whether as elected officials, private-sector crisis management teams, or staff in an emergency operations center (EOC)—one is a particular challenge: multi-incident simultaneous response and recovery (MISRR). As a phenomenon within emergency management, MISRR emerges when an entity (governmental, private, or nonprofit) conducts…
Nonmedical Concerns for Hospitals in a Mass-Casualty Incident
While there are obvious and significant medical concerns associated with mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), there are also nonmedical concerns that can adversely impact a hospital during an MCI. Failure to plan for these issues, including consequence management, could result in life-safety concerns for responders, hospital staff, patients, the public, and…
The Current State of the Opioid Crisis & Other Emerging Threats
There may be good news on the horizon from the latest reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Data from both agencies indicate a change in trajectory for the opioid overdose crisis: the first reported decrease in overdose deaths since 2018 and…
Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Major Rhonda Lawson
Rhonda Lawson is a major in the chief’s office of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Division. She began her 27-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1997 as a trooper. In 2019, when TDEM became an independent agency under the Texas A&M University System, she transferred…
Preparing for the Next Biothreat: Lessons Not to Forget
In modern history, only the global wars of the last century can compare to the swift deadliness of the COVID-19 pandemic, except, this time, it came with less warning. In the United States, some officials and responder communities were prepared, but many were not. In 2024, the Preparedness Leadership Council…
Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities
In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter to over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Despite its shortcomings, that stadium and nearby convention center were the only venues able to accommodate the city’s critical sheltering needs. Those accommodations, though, were inadequate, with limited power, plumbing, and…
Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool
“Hello, this is Kristina with Harris County. You’re receiving this call because you are registered with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). Due to the extended power outages from Hurricane Beryl, we are reaching out to see if you have any medical needs or need other assistance.”…
Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table
The impacts of hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton in 2024 showed the criticality of having trained and well-equipped public works agencies. Jurisdictions with robust capacity were more resilient and capable of transitioning from response to recovery and providing needed services to their citizens. Whereas, those that were not as well-prepared…
Today's Top Picks
Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
Emergency management officials understand that communication issues often arise during events and will be addressed in after-action reviews. Responding to Mitchell County, North Carolina, as part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s (TDEM) Incident Support Task Force, I experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a…
Editor’s Note: Responding to Disasters in 2025 and Beyond
At the beginning of each new year, discussions about change and what will happen in the upcoming year tend to dominate conversations, and 2025 is no exception. The rapid pace of technological innovations, frequent changes in leadership, and other factors make it challenging but not impossible to prepare for…
All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
Of all the scenarios emergency preparedness professionals face—whether as elected officials, private-sector crisis management teams, or staff in an emergency operations center (EOC)—one is a particular challenge: multi-incident simultaneous response and recovery (MISRR). As a phenomenon within emergency management, MISRR emerges when an entity (governmental, private, or nonprofit) conducts…
Nonmedical Concerns for Hospitals in a Mass-Casualty Incident
While there are obvious and significant medical concerns associated with mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), there are also nonmedical concerns that can adversely impact a hospital during an MCI. Failure to plan for these issues, including consequence management, could result in life-safety concerns for responders, hospital staff, patients, the public, and…
The Current State of the Opioid Crisis & Other Emerging Threats
There may be good news on the horizon from the latest reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Data from both agencies indicate a change in trajectory for the opioid overdose crisis: the first reported decrease in overdose deaths since 2018 and…
Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Major Rhonda Lawson
Rhonda Lawson is a major in the chief’s office of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Division. She began her 27-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1997 as a trooper. In 2019, when TDEM became an independent agency under the Texas A&M University System, she transferred…
Preparing for the Next Biothreat: Lessons Not to Forget
In modern history, only the global wars of the last century can compare to the swift deadliness of the COVID-19 pandemic, except, this time, it came with less warning. In the United States, some officials and responder communities were prepared, but many were not. In 2024, the Preparedness Leadership Council…
Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities
In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter to over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Despite its shortcomings, that stadium and nearby convention center were the only venues able to accommodate the city’s critical sheltering needs. Those accommodations, though, were inadequate, with limited power, plumbing, and…
Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool
“Hello, this is Kristina with Harris County. You’re receiving this call because you are registered with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). Due to the extended power outages from Hurricane Beryl, we are reaching out to see if you have any medical needs or need other assistance.”…
Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table
The impacts of hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton in 2024 showed the criticality of having trained and well-equipped public works agencies. Jurisdictions with robust capacity were more resilient and capable of transitioning from response to recovery and providing needed services to their citizens. Whereas, those that were not as well-prepared…
Today's Top Picks
Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
Emergency management officials understand that communication issues often arise during events and will be addressed in after-action reviews. Responding to Mitchell County, North Carolina,…
Editor’s Note: Responding to Disasters in 2025 and Beyond
At the beginning of each new year, discussions about change and what will happen in the upcoming year tend to dominate conversations, and 2025…
All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
Of all the scenarios emergency preparedness professionals face—whether as elected officials, private-sector crisis management teams, or staff in an emergency operations center (EOC)—one is…
Nonmedical Concerns for Hospitals in a Mass-Casualty Incident
While there are obvious and significant medical concerns associated with mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), there are also nonmedical concerns that can adversely impact a hospital…
The Current State of the Opioid Crisis & Other Emerging Threats
There may be good news on the horizon from the latest reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Drug Enforcement Administration…
Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Major Rhonda Lawson
Rhonda Lawson is a major in the chief’s office of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Division. She began her 27-year career with the Texas…
Preparing for the Next Biothreat: Lessons Not to Forget
In modern history, only the global wars of the last century can compare to the swift deadliness of the COVID-19 pandemic, except, this time, it…
Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities
In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter to over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Despite its shortcomings, that stadium and…
Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool
“Hello, this is Kristina with Harris County. You’re receiving this call because you are registered with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR).…
Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table
The impacts of hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton in 2024 showed the criticality of having trained and well-equipped public works agencies. Jurisdictions with robust capacity…
Trending
Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Weaponized Drones Electricity substations are traditionally only protected by chain link fences and signage warning of the dangers of high voltage. However,…
Advice for Surviving a Disaster: Be Selfish and Small-Minded In the base camp of his fifth federally declared disaster this year, a disaster finance coordinator reflects on a friend’s…
Emergency Management of Tomorrow: Emerging… More frequent and intense disasters put pressure on emergency managers and emergency operations centers to share and analyze data faster…
A Violent Surge – Sovereign Citizens vs. Government… The Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified the Sovereign Citizen movement as a domestic terrorist threat. To prepare law enforcement…Trending
Emergency Management of Tomorrow: Emerging… More frequent and intense disasters put pressure on emergency managers and emergency operations centers to share and analyze data faster…A Violent Surge – Sovereign Citizens vs. Government… The Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified the Sovereign Citizen movement as a domestic terrorist threat. To prepare law enforcement…Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Weaponized Drones Electricity substations are traditionally only protected by chain link fences and signage warning of the dangers of high voltage. However,…Advice for Surviving a Disaster: Be Selfish and Small-Minded In the base camp of his fifth federally declared disaster this year, a disaster finance coordinator reflects on a friend’s…Domestic Preparedness Journal
Featured in this issue: Editor’s Note: Responding to Disasters in 2025 and Beyond, by Catherine L. Feinman; All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery, by Tucker Berry; Nonmedical Concerns for Hospitals in a Mass-Casualty Incident, by Joanmarie Verrico Wallster and Michael Prasad; The Current State of the Opioid Crisis & Other Emerging Threats, by John Johnson; Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Major Rhonda Lawson, by Major Rhonda Lawson; Preparing for the Next Biothreat: Lessons Not to Forget, by Christy Anderson; Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities, by Kay C. Goss; Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool, by Jamie Hannan and Kristina Clark; Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table, by Greg Hoffnung
Articles Out Loud
Article Out Loud – All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Tucker Berry, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025. As demonstrated by
Article Out Loud – Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Jarod Rosson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025. As part of
Domestic Preparedness Journal
Featured in this issue: Editor’s Note: Local-Level Planning for National-Level Threats, by Catherine L. Feinman; Malicious and Non-Malicious Cyber Incidents: Education and Preparation, by Dan Scherr and Tanya Scherr; Securing Cities: The Fight Against Local Level Cyberthreats, by Michael Breslin; Backyard Cybersecurity: The Local Challenge, by Brian Shajari; Cyber and Physical Resilience in the Food and Agriculture Industry, by Nathan DiPillo; The Ethics of Data in Disaster Management and Crisis Operations, by Anthony S. Mangeri; Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 1: Challenges and Considerations, by Glen Woodbury; Growing Foreign Threat to National Security, Part 2: Emergency Management Approaches and Choices, by Glen Woodbury; Tren de Aragua: From Prison Gang to Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate in the U.S., by Anthony (Tony) Mottola and Dan Scherr; Advisory Board Spotlights: Interview With Ray Barishansky, DrPH, and Keeping It Real With Lynda Zambrano.
Articles Out Loud
Article Out Loud – All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Tucker Berry, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025. As demonstrated by hurricanes Helene and Milton, many jurisdictions are unaccustomed to compounding incidents.
Learn how to bolster readiness to simultaneously respond and recover by proactively examining and preparing for unique challenges of a compounding incident.
Article Out Loud – Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Jarod Rosson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025.
As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hurricane Helene Incident Support Task Force, Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a disaster when all ground-based forms of communication are offline.
Learn how Jarod’s experience can inform your next disaster communications plan.
Now to the featured article.
Domestic Preparedness Journal
Featured in this issue: Editor’s Note: Local-Level Planning for National-Level Threats, by Catherine L. Feinman; Malicious and Non-Malicious Cyber Incidents: Education and Preparation, by Dan Scherr and Tanya Scherr; Securing Cities: The Fight Against Local Level Cyberthreats, by Michael Breslin; Backyard Cybersecurity: The Local Challenge, by Brian Shajari; Cyber and Physical Resilience in the Food and Agriculture Industry, by Nathan DiPillo; The Ethics of Data in Disaster Management and Crisis Operations, by Anthony S. Mangeri; Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 1: Challenges and Considerations, by Glen Woodbury; Growing Foreign Threat to National Security, Part 2: Emergency Management Approaches and Choices, by Glen Woodbury; Tren de Aragua: From Prison Gang to Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate in the U.S., by Anthony (Tony) Mottola and Dan Scherr; Advisory Board Spotlights: Interview With Ray Barishansky, DrPH, and Keeping It Real With Lynda Zambrano.
Articles Out Loud
Article Out Loud – All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Tucker Berry, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025. As demonstrated by hurricanes Helene and Milton, many jurisdictions are unaccustomed to compounding incidents.
Learn how to bolster readiness to simultaneously respond and recover by proactively examining and preparing for unique challenges of a compounding incident.
Article Out Loud – Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
January 29, 2025
This is an article by Jarod Rosson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 29, 2025.
As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hurricane Helene Incident Support Task Force, Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a disaster when all ground-based forms of communication are offline.
Learn how Jarod’s experience can inform your next disaster communications plan.
Now to the featured article.
