CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Agricultural Supply Chain Vulnerability: A Freight Rail Disruption Case Study
In 2022, yearslong contract negotiations between U.S. freight rail carriers and various labor unions broke down, threatening global supply chains with a strike. The federal government tried brokering an agreement but ultimately had to impose one, averting economic disaster across sectors. The agricultural supply chain in the United States is complex and is growing more so every year due to increasing product interdependencies, expanding markets, and globalization of the human and animal food supply.…
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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.
Cost Analysis: Protecting the Grid and Electronics from an EMP
The Foundation for Infrastructure Resilience
March 12, 2025
Because modern societies are increasingly reliant on electronics, they are more vulnerable to the effects of an electromagnetic pulse event. As nations move to electrify their critical infrastructure and essential services, the cascading effects of a power grid disruption increase their vulnerability.
Imagining the U.S. Without Power: A Dual-World EMP Exercise
Charles (Chuck) L. Manto, K. Luke Reiner and Dave Hunt
February 12, 2025
A dual-world tabletop exercise simulating an electromagnetic pulse event in Chicopee, Massachusetts, revealed startling discrepancies in outcomes between the city’s current preparedness and a moderate-preparedness simulation.
Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
Jarod Rosson
January 29, 2025
As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hurricane Helene Incident Support Task Force, Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson experienced firsthand what it is like to respond to a disaster when all ground-based forms of communication are offline.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHIVES
Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management
Alex Hagen and Jonathan (Jon) Barr
December 18, 2024
Recent research into the relationship between AI and emergency management uncovered an environment prepared for AI-based solutions. While AI must overcome some infrastructure hurdles, technologies
Emergency Management of Tomorrow: Emerging Technologies and Concepts
Dan Cotter, Christina Bapst-Stump, Ann Lesperance and Rachel A. Bartholomew
December 11, 2024
More frequent and intense disasters put pressure on emergency managers and emergency operations centers to share and analyze data faster than ever before and with
Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Weaponized Drones
David Winks, Steve Chill, Frederick Ferrer, Michael J. "Apollo" Lovell, Mike Swearingen and Mary Lasky
December 4, 2024
Electricity substations are traditionally only protected by chain link fences and signage warning of the dangers of high voltage. However, this still leaves property vulnerable,
Why Messaging Matters: A Regionalized Approach to Alerts and Warnings
Soraya Sutherlin
November 27, 2024
Effective, timely, and unified communication across jurisdictions is essential for saving lives. The 2015 ExxonMobil refinery explosion highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, cross-jurisdictional alerting.
Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 2: Emergency Management Approaches and Choices
Glen Woodbury
October 30, 2024
This is Part 2 of a two-part article that explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community regarding the operations, resilience,
Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 1: Challenges and Considerations
Glen Woodbury
October 23, 2024
Part 1 of a two-part series explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community, regarding the operations, resilience, resourcing, strategies, and
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CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Agricultural Supply Chain Vulnerability: A Freight Rail Disruption Case Study
In 2022, yearslong contract negotiations between U.S. freight rail carriers and various labor unions broke down, threatening global supply chains with a strike. The federal government tried brokering an agreement but ultimately had to impose one, averting economic disaster across sectors. The agricultural supply chain in the United States is complex and is growing more so every year due to increasing product interdependencies, expanding markets, and globalization of the human and animal food supply.…
Most Recent
Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities
Kay C. Goss
January 15, 2025
In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter and accommodated over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina.
Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool
Jamie Hannan and Kristina Clark
January 8, 2025
During a derecho in May 2024, Texas agencies contacted and conducted wellness checks on residents with disabilities or with functional
Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table
Greg Hoffnung
January 8, 2025
Despite their critical role in disaster response, public works agencies are not always included in the emergency planning process. To
The Role of AI in Meeting a Great Emergency Management Challenge
Douglas Yeung and Aaron Clark-Ginsberg
December 26, 2024
AI’s ability to ingest and synthesize data on hazards and vulnerabilities could prove invaluable in addressing one of the biggest
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Archives
Securing Cities: The Fight Against Local Level Cyberthreats
Michael Breslin
October 2, 2024
As digital threats against local governments and private entities grow more sophisticated, the need for action becomes urgent. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and at
National Laboratory Partnerships: Linking Operations and Research
Ryan Eddy and Ann Lesperance
September 25, 2024
The September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 spurred a pivotal change in the way the U.S. approaches preparedness for threats to the homeland. In recognition
Responder Fatigue: A Growing Concern
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
September 18, 2024
Emergencies require immediate action by people trained to extinguish fires, treat injuries, protect the public, and perform other life and safety tasks. Responders who repeatedly
AI and 911 Call Systems: A New Ally or a Hidden Risk?
Michael Breslin
September 11, 2024
From natural disasters to sophisticated cyberthreats, the risks to public safety are evolving fast. As unexpected events can strike at any moment, the systems designed
Security in and Around D.C.: Following the Informational Dots
Catherine L. Feinman
September 11, 2024
Preparing for any special event includes many unknowns. When an event involves national security, the stakes are even higher. Public safety agencies have been sharing
Dual-World Tabletop Exercises: Addressing Unmet Infrastructure Needs
Charles (Chuck) L. Manto
August 21, 2024
The U.S. critical infrastructure is vulnerable to many forms of cyber and electromagnetic threats. This article presents a new tabletop exercise concept for addressing these
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