Most recently published
Is Al Qaeda Seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction
Neil C. Livingstone
March 4, 2009
Some pundits and some politicians seem to think the war on terror is over, or almost over. But new evidence suggests that it is not, and will not be, over until the terrorists say it’s over – and that day may still be a long way off.
‘Wetware’ and Other Technologies Supported Obama Inauguration
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
February 25, 2009
The swearing-in ceremonies, the parade, and the celebrations that followed were major successes. An even greater success was the behind-the-scenes preparations that ensured that nothing happened that was not supposed to happen.
Mergers, Volunteerism, and Cost Considerations
Joseph Cahill
February 18, 2009
Cut costs the easy way – by merging agencies, using more volunteers, and reducing services. The only problem is that agency employees might be unhappy, taxpayers might revolt, and elected officials might soon be looking for new jobs.
New Focus on Private-Sector Preparedness Standards
Diana Hopkins
February 11, 2009
At last! A Federal Register notice asks the nation’s business community to comment on ideas that have been submitted to upgrade the disaster-preparedness capabilities of the U.S. private sector. Read, heed, and proceed – but do it fast.The nation’s private-sector businesses – a generic term that includes not only manufacturers,
Surge Prerequisites: Plans, Practices, Preparations
Theodore Tully
February 11, 2009
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are aware that surge capabilities have become increasingly important in dealing with mass-casualty incidents. But few really understand that many meanings are encompassed in that one word.
No Time to Cut Back on Safety – The Cost Is Too High
Warren K. Brown
January 28, 2009
Companies throughout the United States are trying to cut expenses any way they can: by layoffs, by plant closures, even by reductions in safety programs – which, it says here, are not only the most unkindest but also the most foolish cuts of all.
How the NDMS Can Be Made More Effective
Michael Allswede
January 28, 2009
The Spirit of Volunteerism is a noble virtue, and has been embraced by millions of Americans. Many of them volunteer once too often, though, creating a difficult dilemma for NDMS and other agencies that have a joint claim on their skills and services.
Cold Calculations and the Search for Inner Warmth
Joseph Cahill
January 28, 2009
A timely and temperate reminder that cold weather may be and is uncomfortable, but extremely cold weather can kill. Among those in the greatest danger, surprisingly enough, are EMS staff and other responders.
Mumbai: Implications for the West
Neil C. Livingstone
January 21, 2009
Mumbai was totally unprepared for the terrorist attacks of 26 November – and paid dearly for its lack of vigilance. Will the great nations of the West learn from India’s mistakes, or simply repeat them?
The Mumbai Attacks – Lessons for the Western World
Joseph W. Trindal
January 14, 2009
The terrorist attacks two months ago in Mumbai provide a number of lessons for emergency-services agencies throughout the world. The attacks, which represented an ever-increasing level of sophistication and ingenuity of terrorist activity worldwide, started during the evening hours of 26 November 2008 when small teams of armed terrorists launched
Changes and Clarifications – NIMS Upgrade Released
Stephen Grainer
January 14, 2009
On 18 December 2008, long-awaited revisions to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) – officially described as an “upgrade” by the former acting director of the NIMS Integration Center, Albert Fluman – were published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are now being implemented.The effort to improve the
The Field Testing Dilemma and LRN Chemical Laboratories
Richard A. France
January 14, 2009
The field testing of potentially lethal chemicals has always been an iffy proposition. Fortunately, a new national network of “gold standard” labs is now available to eliminate much of the uncertainty.
Bioterrorism Exercise: A Taste of the Real Thing
Stephanie Ostrowski and Crystal Castillo
March 4, 2009
Food poisoning – whether intentional or accidental – can have lethal consequences. In either case, it is CDC’s job to find out what caused it, what treatments are recommended, and how it can be contained.
Is Al Qaeda Seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction
Neil C. Livingstone
March 4, 2009
Some pundits and some politicians seem to think the war on terror is over, or almost over. But new evidence suggests that it is not, and will not be, over until the terrorists say it’s over – and that day may still be a long way off.
‘Wetware’ and Other Technologies Supported Obama Inauguration
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
February 25, 2009
The swearing-in ceremonies, the parade, and the celebrations that followed were major successes. An even greater success was the behind-the-scenes preparations that ensured that nothing happened that was not supposed to happen.
Mergers, Volunteerism, and Cost Considerations
Joseph Cahill
February 18, 2009
Cut costs the easy way – by merging agencies, using more volunteers, and reducing services. The only problem is that agency employees might be unhappy, taxpayers might revolt, and elected officials might soon be looking for new jobs.
New Focus on Private-Sector Preparedness Standards
Diana Hopkins
February 11, 2009
At last! A Federal Register notice asks the nation’s business community to comment on ideas that have been submitted to upgrade the disaster-preparedness capabilities of the U.S. private sector. Read, heed, and proceed – but do it fast.The nation’s private-sector businesses – a generic term that includes not only manufacturers,
Surge Prerequisites: Plans, Practices, Preparations
Theodore Tully
February 11, 2009
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are aware that surge capabilities have become increasingly important in dealing with mass-casualty incidents. But few really understand that many meanings are encompassed in that one word.
No Time to Cut Back on Safety – The Cost Is Too High
Warren K. Brown
January 28, 2009
Companies throughout the United States are trying to cut expenses any way they can: by layoffs, by plant closures, even by reductions in safety programs – which, it says here, are not only the most unkindest but also the most foolish cuts of all.
How the NDMS Can Be Made More Effective
Michael Allswede
January 28, 2009
The Spirit of Volunteerism is a noble virtue, and has been embraced by millions of Americans. Many of them volunteer once too often, though, creating a difficult dilemma for NDMS and other agencies that have a joint claim on their skills and services.
Cold Calculations and the Search for Inner Warmth
Joseph Cahill
January 28, 2009
A timely and temperate reminder that cold weather may be and is uncomfortable, but extremely cold weather can kill. Among those in the greatest danger, surprisingly enough, are EMS staff and other responders.
Mumbai: Implications for the West
Neil C. Livingstone
January 21, 2009
Mumbai was totally unprepared for the terrorist attacks of 26 November – and paid dearly for its lack of vigilance. Will the great nations of the West learn from India’s mistakes, or simply repeat them?
The Mumbai Attacks – Lessons for the Western World
Joseph W. Trindal
January 14, 2009
The terrorist attacks two months ago in Mumbai provide a number of lessons for emergency-services agencies throughout the world. The attacks, which represented an ever-increasing level of sophistication and ingenuity of terrorist activity worldwide, started during the evening hours of 26 November 2008 when small teams of armed terrorists launched
Changes and Clarifications – NIMS Upgrade Released
Stephen Grainer
January 14, 2009
On 18 December 2008, long-awaited revisions to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) – officially described as an “upgrade” by the former acting director of the NIMS Integration Center, Albert Fluman – were published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are now being implemented.The effort to improve the
Litigation Trends Regarding Security
Neil C. Livingstone
December 17, 2008
One of the most effective weapons against terrorists, surprisingly, is Money! Not the reasonable sums used to pay for new surveillance systems but damages charged against businesses that fail to provide proper security for customers, tenants, & employees.
Coming: An Upgrading of Security Standards for Rail Transit
Diana Hopkins
December 17, 2008
For many Americans the most important date to remember next month will not be Inauguration Day, but 27 January, when the American National Standards Institute’s Transit Security Workshop starts a much-needed review of U.S. rail-security deficiencies.
Safety: Those Who Stay Behind
Joseph Cahill
December 10, 2008
The evacuation of a major city devastated by a natural disaster or an act of terrorism takes multi-agency cooperation, numerous training drills, & dedicated professionals who have the courage needed to stay in place while saving the lives of others.
Important Homeland Security Input: High-Ranking PNSR Group Releases Its Final Report
Martin D. Masiuk
December 10, 2008
The report, perhaps the most important and best grounded national-defense and homeland-security document released since 1947, includes numerous recommendations that, if fully implemented, will add immensely to current and future U.S. defense capabilities.
Hospital Security: An Age-Old Problem Becomes Increasingly Important
Craig DeAtley
December 3, 2008
The nation’s healthcare workers could become an endangered species if numerous planned improvements in hospital security are not funded and implemented in the near future. Here is a quick look at some of the innovative design upgrades recently introduced.
Hospital Security: An Age-Old Problem Becomes Increasingly Important
Craig DeAtley
December 3, 2008
The Emergency Department of any major hospital or other healthcare facility is commonly a site of workplace violence – with healthcare or mental health workers being the victims in 12 percent of the cases, according to a 2001 report issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. Long waits, substance abuse,
A Matter of Mutual Trust: The Fallout from Katrina and the Effect on Gustav
Joseph Cahill
November 26, 2008
With nations as with individuals, the most tragic failures sometimes lead to the most stunning successes. Provided the right lessons are learned – and then fully and carefully implemented.
Emergency Operations Centers: The Heartbeat of Disaster Management
Kay C. Goss
November 26, 2008
Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are complex facilities to design and build. Many emergency managers and other participants in response operations may be involved in only one new facility or only one remodeling during their careers. To begin with, it is a major challenge to obtain funding for an EOC that
H5N1: Still Waiting in the Wings – An Updated Assessment of the Pandemic Flu Threat
Steven Harrison
November 26, 2008
Just in case the United States, & the rest of the world, did not have enough to worry about, recent public-health reports provide a timely reminder that new pandemics, possibly the most disastrous ever, could still strike at any time.
Multipurpose Buildings: A Towering Challenge for Security Planners
Neil C. Livingstone
November 19, 2008
From parking lots to elevators & escalators to penthouse apartments – every room and every floor in the office and residential buildings now being designed represents a different type of danger. Here is a handy list of some of the more avoidable ones.
Filling the Equipment Inventory: Some Relevant Questions
Joseph Cahill
November 12, 2008
The well-dressed first responder can take with him or her a limited amount of equipment to the incident scene. The selection of that equipment may be, and often is, a literally life-or-death matter.
TERT Takes Toxic Approach to Emergency Response
Shannon Arledge
November 12, 2008
Chemicals, biological agents, and other dangerous substances are among the key instructional materials used to train hazmat technicians and other first responders participating in the CDP’s upgraded “COBRA course” in Anniston, Alabama.
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