PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
Defining Emergency Management in the 21st Century
Anthony S. Mangeri
December 14, 2011
The profession of emergency management has come a long, long way from the streets of London to the gates of the White House, but the policing principles enunciated by Sir Robert Peel provide a strong foundation for President Barack Obama’s Presidential Policy Directive 8 on National Preparedness and its goal
An Interview with The Honorable Tom Ridge
Aaron Sean Poynton
December 14, 2011
The former DHS Secretary provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. emergency preparedness, comments on many areas of progress – and some gaps still to be filled – and offers a number of helpful short- and long-term recommendations for the future.
Today and Tomorrow: Approaching the Mythical Tricorder
Christopher Wrenn
December 14, 2011
The detection and identification capabilities of today’s U.S. military and homeland-security units are still short of Starfleet status. But they are getting light years closer, thanks in large part to current and projected budget cutbacks that reward both versatility and creative thinking and punish those who do not see “the
The Future of EMS: Upward & Outward
Joseph Cahill
December 7, 2011
In the Old West, the town barber often served as the town doctor as well. The parallel today is far from exact, but the current generation of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) is rapidly learning new and more advanced skills. By using such technologically advanced medical systems and devices, the capabilities
The 2012 Public Health Preparedness Summit: Regroup, Refocus, Refresh
Jack Herrmann
December 7, 2011
New technologies and greater budgetary, political, and workplace challenges, so what else is new? That is the question that participants in next year’s Anaheim “Summit” will do their best to answer while also devising better and more imaginative ways to, as always, do more with less resources…and with fewer people.
Biosurveillance: Detecting the Next ‘Silent’ Attack
Lou Banks
December 7, 2011
As emergency managers and preparedness planners well know, the use of biological weapons against the United States, or any other nation, would probably be much longer lasting, and more devastating in its long-term consequences, than a nuclear attack. Which is why detection and prevention offer not only the best hope
Mapping: An Increasingly Valuable Emergency Management Tool
Kay C. Goss
November 30, 2011
Since the mid-19th century, the method for mapping disasters has evolved from hard-copy maps with manually plotted cases of cholera outbreaks to advanced satellite-based global information systems. The development, introduction, and use of a broad spectrum of GIS systems that can pinpoint – quickly, precisely, and on a continuing basis
Emerging Technology Enables Mass Patient Evacuations
Bruce Clements
November 16, 2011
From time to time, hospitals themselves can be dangerous to a patient’s health. That is particularly true when a patient is being transferred or evacuated, and even more so when a large number of patients are being evacuated at the same time. This is precisely why RFIDs, JPATS, and GPS
Tracking and Locating Fire and Emergency Personnel
Christina Spoons
November 9, 2011
As firefighters and other emergency responders well know, disaster may be lurking just around the next corner. Or maybe in the burning room one floor below. Which is why breadcrumbs and a working PASS or any other reliable type of tracking-and-location system are so important in fighting fires. “The life
Identifying Biological Hazards as They Happen
Joseph Cahill
November 2, 2011
Start at the beginning … or even earlier. The process for handling potential mass-casualty incidents – particularly when biological hazards are involved – is critical when lowering exposure risk and abating the spread of a toxic agent: Develop comprehensive response plans as far in advance as possible, gather the supplies
Sacramento P.D. Incorporates Training with Private-Sector Businesses
Domestic Preparedness
October 26, 2011
“Treat your employees right and they will treat the customers right.” That is both the motto and the official policy of the Sacramento, California, Police Department (P.D.). And, thanks to some helpful advice from Target and other area businesses, the results show it – a surprising drop in the local
MCM Dispensing: The Public Health Point of View
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 26, 2011
To plan for and defeat the frequently changing threats posed by pandemics (both natural and terrorist-related) requires advance planning, comprehensive training, and stockpiling mountains of supplies, including medications needed to protect literally millions of citizens. But these efforts involve numerous complexities.
Follow Us
Get Instant Access
Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.
