The detonation of a weapon of mass destruction within a U.S. seaport is one of the most frightening scenarios facing the nation’s security and intelligence professionals. Although complying with a 100-percent screening mandate would be very costly, “randomly” selecting a few containers to search may be a huge gamble. The probability of such attacks is low, but the damage caused would be devastating.
Established in 1920 as the “National Advisory Board on Highway Research,” the Transportation Research Board (TRB) facilitates information sharing and broadly disseminates valuable transportation research. Understanding where to find the data needed to make policy and procedural decisions is the first step in managing all-hazards incidents.
Whether the situation involves person-on-person violence, forensic patient management, or the handling of patient property, healthcare facilities (HCFs) across the United States are finding themselves with a growing number of security-related issues that require well-trained and highly skilled security officers. Today’s healthcare facility security officer is no longer a “guard” per se, but in many cases also a special police officer who is, among other things: (a) armed with arrest powers; (b) trained on how, and when, to defuse tense emotional situations; and (c) armed with various other weapons and personal skills that can be used if, when, and as needed.
Civilian responders have successfully acquired many skills that were originally developed by military services. Situational awareness is one such skill that would be beneficial to adapt to the civilian members of the emergency medical services. Maintaining a heightened sense of awareness would
help responders stay “in the loop.”
Some statistical data suggest that the crime rate is rising along the U.S.-Mexico border and “spilling over” into the United States. Other data, however, suggest that such crime has actually declined in recent years. The differing results are greatly affected by the definition of “spillover,” gathering and interpreting accurate statistics, and taking a closer look at the problem from the perspective of those living near the border itself.
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 law enforcement community uses to protect responders.
When the In Amenas Gas Refinery was attacked at the beginning of 2013, the swift actions of workers prevented the terrorists from fully implementing their plans, which would have created a greater tragedy and an even greater loss of lives. A lot can be learned by reviewing the events that unfolded in Algeria and making changes that may save even more lives in the future.
When the In Amenas Gas Refinery was attacked at the beginning of 2013, the swift actions of workers prevented the terrorists from fully implementing their plans, which would have created a greater tragedy and an even greater loss of lives. A lot can be learned by reviewing the events that unfolded in Algeria and making changes that may save even more lives in the future.
Members of terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida follow a general, albeit loose, organizational/leadership structure, which includes planning and communicating with other members of their group or cell. The sometimes greater danger posed by lone wolves, on the other hand, is that they are not limited by the views and actions of other members and not as susceptible to having their plans and communications intercepted and disclosed.
When the average citizen is confronted by an emergency situation beyond the routine, he or she is usually overwhelmed and forced to rely on emergency responders to take command and […]
The detonation of a weapon of mass destruction within a U.S. seaport is one of the most frightening scenarios facing the nation’s security and intelligence professionals. Although complying with a 100-percent screening mandate would be very costly, “randomly” selecting a few containers to search may be a huge gamble. The probability of such attacks is low, but the damage caused would be devastating. 