Most recently published
Keeping It Simple – And the Need for Pre-Planning
William (Jeremy) Magers
March 10, 2010
Question: How does an all-electric racing car work? Answer: By pushing the “start” button. One of the biggest problems in the field of domestic preparedness, it says here, is the misguided instructional emphasis on theory and complex technology rather than maintaining a laser-beamed focus on practical training, the explanation of
Training Tests State Agency’s Response to Natural & Man-Made Disasters
Domestic Preparedness
March 10, 2010
The Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) & the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted training designed to better prepare Wisconsin’s many state agencies to effectively manage a major disaster. During a four-day training exercise, more than 75 local, state, volunteer, and federal emergency responders tested emergency response and recovery plans to
Missouri C-130s, Crews Divert to Chile
Jim Greenhill
March 9, 2010
Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, with 47 crew members, were diverted to Chile to aid that earthquake-ravaged nation. The C-130 aircraft can fly passengers, and airlift cargo, long distances – in all weather conditions, both day and night, from low to high altitudes – and land
Haiti 2010: When Disaster Is Compounded by Chaos & Confusion
Theodore Tully
March 3, 2010
Within minutes after news of the 12 January earthquake that devastated Haiti was reported to the outside world, U.S. government agencies, and numerous NGOs, swung into action. Here is a lessons-learned report on how New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital accelerated its pre-planning process, the preparation of healthcare volunteers, the
ICD – Shorthand for a Potentially Ubiquitous Threat
Joseph Cahill
March 3, 2010
Chemicals are a part of the everyday American’s diet. They are used – in carefully measured doses, it is hoped – in manufacturing; in the processing of food, beverages, medicines, and numerous other consumables; and in many other ways in almost every country in the world. Because of their relatively
FINAL REPORT: The Security of National Infrastructure
Dennis R. Schrader
February 28, 2010
The DP40 and DomPrep readers where asked how they view the apparent transition from thinking in terms of critical infrastructure protection to thinking in terms of critical infrastructure resilience.
Lessons Learned for Critical Infrastructure
Andrew Pearsons
February 24, 2010
Most discussions about protection of the U.S. “critical infrastructure” focus on power plants, government buildings, nuclear facilities, and other high-value “things.” It says here that people, U.S. citizens, both government workers and the general public – human assets, in other words – also need protection and, in fact, should be
Local Security: The Forgotten Factor in Relief Operations
Joseph W. Trindal
February 24, 2010
Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, with 47 crew members, were diverted to Chile to aid that earthquake-ravaged nation. The C-130 aircraft can fly passengers, and airlift cargo, long distances – in all weather conditions, both day and night, from low to high altitudes – and land
No Easy Choices When Facing a Nuclear-Armed Gorilla
Neil C. Livingstone
February 24, 2010
As always, the principal topic discussed at the 2010 Herzliya conference was Israeli’s national security. But the most important building block – stumbling block might be a more accurate term – in maintaining that security at a high level was mentioned only in whispers, because no one dared to speak
Port Recovery in Haiti: The Initial Stages
Corey Ranslem
February 17, 2010
The Resolve Marine Group played a key role in helping to clear the shattered harbor area in Port au Prince and make it possible to bring ashore thousands of tons of food, fuel, medicines and medical supplies, and the numerous other life-saving essentials so desperately needed by the Haitian people.
The Principles of Infrastructure Resilience
Scott Jackson
February 17, 2010
“Resilience” used to be an after-thought in preparedness planning. Today it is not only a fundamental principle, an ultimate goal, and an essential guideline, but also the concrete foundation (literally as well as figuratively) of long-range policies, funding decisions, and effective response and recovery operations.
The New Preparedness Challenge: Transitioning Resilience from Theory to Reality
Dennis R. Schrader
February 10, 2010
Prevention, Response, and Recovery used to be the principal objectives of the U.S. homeland-security strategy. That blessed trinity has now expanded to a better balanced quartet, thanks in large part to various studies and official reports that have focused public and political attention on the need for Resilience as well.
The PPE & Other Basic Needs of Tactical Officers
Richard Schoeberl
March 10, 2010
An alarming report issued by the WMD Commission – combined with the growing need to “protect the protectors” and an increase in other responsibilities – suggests that law-enforcement agencies, specifically including SWAT teams, may soon have to become hazmat experts as well.
Keeping It Simple – And the Need for Pre-Planning
William (Jeremy) Magers
March 10, 2010
Question: How does an all-electric racing car work? Answer: By pushing the “start” button. One of the biggest problems in the field of domestic preparedness, it says here, is the misguided instructional emphasis on theory and complex technology rather than maintaining a laser-beamed focus on practical training, the explanation of
Training Tests State Agency’s Response to Natural & Man-Made Disasters
Domestic Preparedness
March 10, 2010
The Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) & the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted training designed to better prepare Wisconsin’s many state agencies to effectively manage a major disaster. During a four-day training exercise, more than 75 local, state, volunteer, and federal emergency responders tested emergency response and recovery plans to
Missouri C-130s, Crews Divert to Chile
Jim Greenhill
March 9, 2010
Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, with 47 crew members, were diverted to Chile to aid that earthquake-ravaged nation. The C-130 aircraft can fly passengers, and airlift cargo, long distances – in all weather conditions, both day and night, from low to high altitudes – and land
Haiti 2010: When Disaster Is Compounded by Chaos & Confusion
Theodore Tully
March 3, 2010
Within minutes after news of the 12 January earthquake that devastated Haiti was reported to the outside world, U.S. government agencies, and numerous NGOs, swung into action. Here is a lessons-learned report on how New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital accelerated its pre-planning process, the preparation of healthcare volunteers, the
ICD – Shorthand for a Potentially Ubiquitous Threat
Joseph Cahill
March 3, 2010
Chemicals are a part of the everyday American’s diet. They are used – in carefully measured doses, it is hoped – in manufacturing; in the processing of food, beverages, medicines, and numerous other consumables; and in many other ways in almost every country in the world. Because of their relatively
FINAL REPORT: The Security of National Infrastructure
Dennis R. Schrader
February 28, 2010
The DP40 and DomPrep readers where asked how they view the apparent transition from thinking in terms of critical infrastructure protection to thinking in terms of critical infrastructure resilience.
Lessons Learned for Critical Infrastructure
Andrew Pearsons
February 24, 2010
Most discussions about protection of the U.S. “critical infrastructure” focus on power plants, government buildings, nuclear facilities, and other high-value “things.” It says here that people, U.S. citizens, both government workers and the general public – human assets, in other words – also need protection and, in fact, should be
Local Security: The Forgotten Factor in Relief Operations
Joseph W. Trindal
February 24, 2010
Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, with 47 crew members, were diverted to Chile to aid that earthquake-ravaged nation. The C-130 aircraft can fly passengers, and airlift cargo, long distances – in all weather conditions, both day and night, from low to high altitudes – and land
No Easy Choices When Facing a Nuclear-Armed Gorilla
Neil C. Livingstone
February 24, 2010
As always, the principal topic discussed at the 2010 Herzliya conference was Israeli’s national security. But the most important building block – stumbling block might be a more accurate term – in maintaining that security at a high level was mentioned only in whispers, because no one dared to speak
Port Recovery in Haiti: The Initial Stages
Corey Ranslem
February 17, 2010
The Resolve Marine Group played a key role in helping to clear the shattered harbor area in Port au Prince and make it possible to bring ashore thousands of tons of food, fuel, medicines and medical supplies, and the numerous other life-saving essentials so desperately needed by the Haitian people.
The Principles of Infrastructure Resilience
Scott Jackson
February 17, 2010
“Resilience” used to be an after-thought in preparedness planning. Today it is not only a fundamental principle, an ultimate goal, and an essential guideline, but also the concrete foundation (literally as well as figuratively) of long-range policies, funding decisions, and effective response and recovery operations.
GPS-Equipped Vehicles and the EMS Infrastructure
Joseph Cahill
February 3, 2010
The political/budgetary decision to purchase and install GPS devices on EMS ambulances (and sometimes other vehicles) should never be based on cost alone. For three reasons: (1) They save lives. (2) They facilitate closer control and better management of the overall EMS fleet. (3) Thanks to the first two reasons,
Common Standards for CBRN PPE – An International Code
Diana Hopkins
January 27, 2010
Today’s well dressed emergency responder may not be featured in many fashion magazines and/or on TV commercials, but the personal protective equipment he or she is wearing is not only functional but also, usually, a very tight fit. An accessory bonus: It might also save his or her life.
Advance Planning: The Key to Preparedness for Special Events
Jennifer Smither
January 27, 2010
Goal: Ensure that all goes well before, during, and after a major public event. How to do so: Prepare an all-contingency plan, well in advance and involving all stakeholders involved, provide enough flexibility to cope with unexpected/unforeseeable “what if” contingencies, then practice, practice, practice.
Next Month: A Summit of Transcendent Importance
Jack Herrmann
January 27, 2010
The fifth annual Public Health Preparedness Summit (16-19 February in Atlanta) will focus on the new and emerging problems facing the nation’s, and world’s, public health preparedness professionals in the dangerous New World of the 21st century. A first-person report from the chairman of the Summit Planning Committee.
Citizen Involvement: Capitalizing on Terrorist Failures
Joseph W. Trindal
January 27, 2010
The Christmas Day plans of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab were unrudely interrupted when the other passengers on Northwest Flight 253 foiled his murderous attempt to kill them all. The collective heroism they demonstrated was not just another instance of heroism by everyday citizens but also a shining example for others facing
Public Health Security for Mass Gatherings
Bruce Clements
January 20, 2010
A mass gathering has been defined by the World Health Organization as a planned or unplanned event at which the number of attendees is “sufficient to strain the planning and response resources of the community, state, or nation.” Fortunately, the strategies needed to address the public health challenge represented by
Virtual USA to Enhance Disaster Management
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
January 20, 2010
The technological journey from VIPER to Virtual Alabama to Virtual USA is long and sometimes tedious. But it is probably the best and perhaps only sure way to take today’s communications systems from the dangerous present to a future that is safer, technologically sounder, and economically more prudent.
Special Events: Detail-Oriented Details
Joseph Cahill
January 13, 2010
A visit by the president or any other world leader qualifies as a Special Event. So do visits by other celebrities and dignitaries. For security personnel such visits also entail special workloads, the consideration of all potential hazards and dangers, the emphasis on a clear chain of command, and a
Special-Event Planning – Processes & Procedures
Glen Rudner
January 13, 2010
In today’s complicated world the definition of “”Special Events”” has expanded exponentially and now includes a host of activities ranging from Super Bowls and presidential inaugurations to high-school all-star games and spelling championships. Whatever the event, though, the keys to proper preparation are advance planning, the assignment of specific responsibilities
Improving Individual Protection from CBRN Threats In a Down Economy: Challenges and Solutions for 2010
Gary Dunn
January 13, 2010
A judicious combination of grant funds and dual-purpose equipment, the building of integrated protection ensembles, and a continuing focus on new product development will be the keys to company success in the coming year, and probably well beyond, says Gary Dunn, Avon Protection Systems’ vice president of Sales and Marketing.
New and Emerging Shelter Technology Provides Solutions for Responders
Ron Houle
January 13, 2010
In many emergency situations the most important and longest-enduring task is finding proper shelter for disaster victims and their families. Ron Houle, DHS Systems’ vice president of government relations, points out that the use of new high-tech fabrics and a focus on advanced technology is leading to the development of
Emergency Planning for Special Events
Kay C. Goss
January 6, 2010
Special Events are exciting, enjoyable, and frequently historic – last year’s U.S. presidential inauguration is the prime example. For emergency managers, security personnel, and other behind-the-scene participants, though, they also are a massive responsibility fraught with hidden dangers, an unending workload, and – far too often – enjoyable only when
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