Publisher’s Message: 25 Years of Domestic Preparedness

Some people dedicate and risk their lives to protect people they have never met, whether during domestic disasters or foreign wars. They find strength and determination to run toward danger as others run away. Veterans Day symbolizes that spirit as it honors the millions of men and women who have served in the U.S. military. This day reminds us of historical events that should not be forgotten and highlights future opportunities made possible only because of the roles these public servants played in protecting the country.

It is fitting that, on November 11, 1998, Domestic Preparedness began its journey to share the perspectives of dedicated professionals across disciplines and jurisdictions who work tirelessly to protect and serve their communities. With content ranging from local events like community outreach at a county preparedness fair to large-scale incidents like the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, our Journal covers it all. Sharing information about lessons learned from the past and helping communities prepare for future disasters have driven us for a quarter of a century.

As we celebrate the 25^th anniversary, we honor the founding publisher, Marty Masiuk, and all the dedicated writers, advisors, and subscribers who contributed to and supported the publication over the years. Preparing for whatever the future holds requires remembering the past, setting new goals for the future, and evolving to meet new challenges.

In the next 25 years, we will continue to serve the professionals who dedicate their lives to their communities. The pandemic was a reminder of how important it is to reach across digital space but also meet in the physical world. Bridging the digital-physical gap with the Domestic Preparedness Journal will ensure subscribers have access to critical information, whether they prefer reading online or turning the pages of a copy in hand. In 2023, we introduced a new branded house, a more dynamic website, a new Weekly Brief layout, and more graphical appeal. In 2024, the publication will feature a new name, monthly editorial themes, expanded podcast offerings, a new print option to receive journal issues in the mail, and much more.

On this special anniversary, we celebrate and thank all those who work in the emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience space – those on the front lines and those behind the scenes. Since 1998, we have been a trusted source for content written by practitioners, for practitioners – with relevant, real-world best practices. The next 25 years will continue that tradition while introducing new ways for busy professionals to connect, share, and learn. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and recommendations as our next era begins.