PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
A Proven Path: Scouts and the Operational Value of Prepared Youth
Ethan Beaty
June 4, 2025
Scouts have been trained to stay calm under pressure, take meaningful action in moments of uncertainty, and support others in times of crisis. Their role in emergency response should not be underestimated.
Understanding Service Dogs: What First Responders Need to Know
Susan Cohen
June 4, 2025
Service dogs do far more than guide or retrieve—they are medical equipment, trained to monitor, alert, and even intervene during a health crisis. For first responders, understanding these working dogs can mean the difference between life and death.
Caring for the Affected at Family Assistance Centers
Jennifer Stansberry Miller
May 28, 2025
In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identification, assistance with repatriation of remains, and reunification efforts. Discover
Psychosocial Hazards: Preventing Human-Caused Disasters
I. David Daniels
May 28, 2025
Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster.
Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Child Survivors
Emily Heard
May 21, 2025
Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Providing psychosocial support is essential in helping them cope with these challenges, thereby building resilient communities.
How I Became an Accidental Disaster Mental Health Specialist
Adrienne J. Heinz
May 21, 2025
Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery. The lessons from those experiences now serve as a guide and
Physical and Mental Injuries in First Responders: Why Wait?
Pascal Rodier
May 14, 2025
First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. To truly support first responders, mental wellness must be fully integrated into recruit training programs and proactively addressed throughout their
Not Lost in Translation: A Multilingual Corps Approach
Diana Sanchez-Vega
May 14, 2025
Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
Disaster Stress Management in an Emergency Operations Center
Mary Schoenfeldt
May 7, 2025
Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress. Secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership, so managing this stress is vital for effective emergency response.
A Holistic Strategy for Responders’ Well-Being
Camilo Olivieri
May 7, 2025
First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
Agroterrorism: A Persistent but Overlooked Threat
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
March 19, 2025
Agroterrorism is not new. Considered a subset of bioterrorism, it has become an increasing concern to the U.S. With so much of the agriculture sector in private hands, preparedness leaders must take extra steps to engage stakeholders and incorporate them into planning efforts.
Beyond the Showcase: Strengthening Biosecurity at Livestock Exhibitions
Joshua Dise
March 5, 2025
Hazards and risks associated with state and local fairs mirror those of other high-attendance events—medical emergencies, mass casualty incidents, and other public safety risks. However, within the food and agriculture sector lies an additional risk: the spread of animal diseases, which can have catastrophic consequences.
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