Author Archive

Article Out Loud – Hazmat on the Rail

As the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, attracted nationwide attention, emergency preparedness professionals have been taking steps to ensure their first responders have the tools, resources, and training needed to respond to rail incidents involving hazardous materials within their jurisdictions. This resource will help meet these preparedness objectives.
hazmat-railroad

Hazmat on the Rail

Since February 3, 2023, following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the public has closely followed reports and commentary by media outlets and elected officials. This incident has become more controversial and publicized than others in recent years and has caused a public outcry for change.

Training Challenge – Choosing the Best Learning Approach

One responder sits in a room listening to an instructor and discussing key concepts and issues with other participants. Another responder sits at a computer during odd hours going through tutorials and posting on discussion groups. Although both types of trainings are effective, the deciding factors between instructor-led, web-based, or

FINAL REPORT: Planned Special Events – When Things Go Wrong

Deadly incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombings have raised many concerns among special event planners, emergency managers, and first responders. When an incident occurs at the site of a planned event, which usually has many moving parts, the challenges can become overwhelming. This report goes beyond special event planning

Incident Gridlock – Overwhelming a City

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration concluded in 2007 that there is a weakness in the infrastructure’s ability to handle the movement of people following a natural or manmade disaster. The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings serve as a prime example of how transportation facilities and government agencies manage complex incidents that

Enhancing Zones to Protect the Emergency Responder

The top priority of the responders who are called to a fire or other incident, of course, is scene safety. To reduce the chances of those responders becoming victims themselves, fire departments should communicate and work closely with law enforcement agencies to better understand the perimeters and resources that the

Developing & Deploying Multi-Use Technologies

With the high cost of creating new technologies and the budget restraints of those who will be using the products, it is critical that developers, policy makers, and end users are all involved in each phase of the development process. A unified approach for developing an adaptable multi-use technology will

New WMD Concerns: Many Questions, But Few Answers

It is understandable that the end of the Cold War led not only to a relaxation of global tensions but also, to an alarming degree, to a less vigilant attitude about the major, complex, and increasingly dangerous threat posed by Syria, Iran, Libya, and other nations in various areas of

Law Enforcement Training for the Active Shooter

By following the training and preparedness efforts practiced in Israel, the United States can move toward a cohesive national strategized approach to provide line officers the ability to look beyond the single incident before them. However, individual responders also must take the initiative needed to develop and advance their own

All-Hazards Planning for Special Events

To avoid a recipe for disaster, the following prescription is recommended for all-hazards preparedness: two-thirds planning and one-third execution. Anything and everything can happen at a special event in communities throughout the nation, so the advance planning and training should reflect that fact.

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Article Out Loud – Security in and Around D.C. – Following the Informational Dots

Full article by Catherine L. Feinman, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 11, 2024. In this feature article, the editor-in-chief of Domestic Preparedness shares her key takeaways from a recent interoperability summit focused on Preparing for the 60th Presidential Inauguration. Public safety agencies shared their lessons learned from the

Article Out Loud – National Preparedness Month 2024: Talk About It

  Full article by Ian Pleet, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 4, 2024. In this feature article, an emergency management professional highlights the country’s preparedness goals and identifies available federal resources. By educating and empowering individuals and families to prepare for emergencies, communities can better position themselves

Article Out Loud – Realizing the Power of Community in Disaster Recovery

  Full article by Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 21, 2024. In this feature article, a behavioral and social scientist understands that no two communities are the same. Each community has unique vulnerabilities, capacities, and needs, and each has its own leaders, areas of cooperation,

Article Out Loud – Return on Investments in Public Engagement

Full article by June Isaacson Kailes, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 14, 2024. In this feature article, a disability policy consultant reminds community leaders that public engagement and participation involve community members in problem-solving, decision-making, and policy development. Result-centered engagement can help protect people with disabilities and

Article Out Loud – A Homeland Vulnerability Continues

  Full article by Robert C. Hutchinson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 7, 2024. In this feature article, a former police chief and deputy special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, Florida, revisits the U visa process. The

Article Out Loud – What Level of Ugly Are Communities Prepared For?

  Full article by Joseph J. Leonard Jr., an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 31, 2024. In this feature article, a retired U.S. Coast Guard commander reflects on the July 2024 attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump. That incident raises questions about event security, the roles that

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