The International Maritime Bureau has reported that, as of 15 April 2013, there have been 76 attacks and four hijackings on the world's oceans and other waterways since the start of the year. Three maritime experts share their collective knowledge of piracy attacks in today's world and offer some helpful recommendations for assessing and mitigating such threats.
Any mass shooting undoubtedly has a significant impact in and around the jurisdiction where the tragedy occurs. When such events involve children, however, there often tends to be a much broader response from members of the population at large who have no direct connection to the jurisdiction or to the victims involved. Federal agencies are taking steps to make schools safer, but the ultimate responsibility falls on each school having in place a comprehensive emergency management plan.
When 10,000 or more people gather for a planned special event, there are many things to consider: risks, credentialing, volunteers, standards, training, transportation, and communication. This report addresses each of these topics from the perspectives of practitioners who share their experience with large-scale events.
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.
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 future.
Federal agencies are using lessons learned from past disasters to develop the holistic and dynamic communications needed to improve behavioral changes and develop meaningful public dialogue and engagement. Social motivation, social marketing, social media, social measures, and social models are essential building blocks in the construction of a stronger, more resilient social enterprise.
The DomPrep Action Plan report includes key talking points for building and sustaining a resilient nation. On 13 November 2012, Admiral Thad Allen, USCG (Ret.) - a former Coast Guard Commandant - and other practitioners from across the nation gathered to discuss ways of bolstering collaboration, sustaining collaborative networks, supporting sub-state regionalization efforts, and enabling frameworks to assist public-private initiatives. Discussions such as this DomPrep Executive Briefing are a necessary step in building and sustaining regional resilience.
High-stress situations can lead to errors in judgment. For emergency responders, such errors can mean the difference between life and death. By using government and private-sector support systems already available, responders can gain renewed confidence in their own abilities and perform their operations with greater proficiency and efficiency.
Medical countermeasures save lives, but only if they are ready and available. By combining the capabilities of pharmaceutical companies, the innovative technologies of smaller firms, and the scientific expertise of academic institutions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be in a better position to combat a future public health crisis.
The term "resilience" is often used but not always understood. By implementing the practices of business continuity, risk analysis and management, engineered systems, and supply chain management using whole of community efforts, the public and private sectors can find a common language and work toward achieving true resilience.
