PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
The Timely Art of Declaring a Public Health Emergency
Joseph Cahill
February 6, 2013
Swine flu, bird flu, and pandemic flu have been widely publicized by the news media over the past decade. Public health and emergency management officials walk a tight line, though, between the risk, on the one hand, of sounding an alarm prematurely and, on the other, of missing the pivotal
Protecting Chemical Facilities Against Terrorist Attack
Patrick Coyle
February 6, 2013
The U.S. government’s chemical security program helps to identify high-risk targets for terrorist attacks based on the type of chemical being manufactured or delivered and the physical location of the facility where it is stored.
Understanding Public Health Emergency Declarations
Raphael M. Barishansky
January 23, 2013
Although avian influenza outbreaks occur periodically in poultry flocks, only recently has avian influenza been considered a significant threat to human health and the global economy. The 1997 emergence of H5N1 first brought attention to avian influenza’s ability to cause disease in humans. However, human infection with influenza from avian
Preparing a Region for the Nation’s Inauguration
Craig DeAtley
January 23, 2013
Unlike the sudden release of toxic chemical agents, pathogens often are difficult to detect and prevent. Such threats evolve over time and have the ability to silently spread between communities. Identifying the threat early would help slow or prevent the spread of disease before it overwhelms a community’s response capabilities.
A Continuing Need for Accurate All-Hazard Assessments
Joseph W. Trindal
January 20, 2013
Making plans to avoid a perceived hazard can sometimes create a real hazard when a careful risk assessment is not conducted. Local hazmat and law enforcement experts must be brought in to work with public and private agencies before decisions about sheltering and establishing evacuation routes for those in danger
An Overlooked Factor in Mass Killings
Joseph W. Trindal
January 16, 2013
Violent crime may be decreasing in the United States, but mass killings seem to be on the rise. Although media play a critical role in raising situational awareness, there are associated costs – misinformation, emotionally driven dialogue, and information that not only assists planning for other would-be attackers, but may
Air, Sea, Land: No Detail Left Unplanned
Scott L. Brillman
January 16, 2013
As tall ships sailed into port, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flew overhead, and visitors filled the streets, the 2012 Sailabration in Baltimore, Maryland, became not only an official celebration but also a unique special event that required the collaboration, cooperation, and combined talents of hundreds of local volunteers and
Special Events Challenges – A Sesquicentennial Example
Stephen Grainer
January 9, 2013
Much has changed in 150 years, but there are some constants – weather, geography, population – that are almost always changing. By understanding local climate conditions, the topography and transportation challenges involved, and the sometimes malicious intent of certain attendees, special event planners can prevent or at least mitigate the
Hands-On Training in an Internet World
Joseph Cahill
January 9, 2013
The added convenience of taking CE and professional development training online certainly has advantages. However, when considering enrolling in courses for base training purposes, there are some notable disadvantages as well – primarily involving skills training and testing – that also should be considered.
Additional Uses for Chemical Warfare Agent Detectors
Christopher Wrenn
December 26, 2012
Identifying and locating the source of noxious odors can be a difficult and time-consuming task. However, first responders are finding that they can use the advanced “sniffing” capability of their chemical warfare agent detectors for more than just terrorist attacks.
An Interview With the Honorable Paul McHale
Aaron Sean Poynton
December 26, 2012
The former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. homeland defense, comments on progress made as well as gaps that still need to be filled, and recommendations for better protecting the U.S. homeland in the
New WMD Concerns: Many Questions, But Few Answers
Glen Rudner
December 19, 2012
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
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