Joint Statement by Secretaries Raimondo and Mayorkas on Assessment of Critical Supply Chains Supporting the Information and Communications Technology Industry

Directed by President Biden as part of the executive order on America’s supply chains, the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security evaluated the current supply chain conditions for select hardware and software products, identified key risks that threaten to disrupt those supply chains, and proposed a strategy to mitigate risk and strengthen supply chain resiliency.

Application of the Cynefin Framework to COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the spring of 2020, variables such as mistrust of government leaders, anti-maskers, and economic concerns complicated COVID-19 community response. The Cynefin framework is a sensemaking theory in the social sciences to create a framework for emergency managers in large-scale events.

Four Key Elements of Crisis Prevention

A crisis can occur when a situation becomes unstable, circumstances suddenly change, or tension and stress heighten. However, not all events need to reach the level of a crisis or disaster if proper preventative measures are taken. Preparing for and possibly preventing a crisis mean thinking outside the box, creating good habits, developing a plan, and then implementing that plan.

Article Out Loud - Application of the Cynefin Framework to COVID-19 Pandemic

Article Out Loud - Top 10 Habits for Better Crisis Preparedness

DHS S&T and Israeli Partners Announce Call for Proposals for Advanced Technologies in Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Israel Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) have partnered on the jointly funded Binational Industrial Research and Development Homeland Security (BIRD) Homeland Security program. The program has announced the 2022 call for proposals seeking collaborative projects between U.S. and Israeli entities to develop advanced solutions for mission-critical homeland security needs with the potential to enhance safety and security around the globe.

DHS CWMD and Seattle Conduct a Biological Threat Preparedness Exercise

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), Seattle area emergency managers, public health officials, laboratory officials, and first responders conducted a virtual tabletop exercise of the BioWatch program. Participants discussed how they would respond in the event of a bioterrorist incident and identified ways to improve coordination.

Article Out Loud - Future-Proofing Infrastructure Supports Community Resilience

Domestic Preparedness Journal Offers "Articles Out Loud"

The Domestic Preparedness Journal recognizes that emergency preparedness professionals are incredibly busy, and often on the road. To give you more opportunities to benefit from the articles in the Journal, each week you will be able to download the article for the week in Articles Out Loud under the Podcast channel on www.domesticpreparedness.com that will be available for a trial period. If the downloads from this trial period are significant, the Journal will look at making them a regular part of its offerings on a weekly basis. The Journal will be offering this service free to its readers through the end of June.  Juvare, the developer of WebEOC, is helping sponsor this trial period.

Future-Proofing Infrastructure Supports Community Resilience

With communities around the globe feeling the effects of climate change, society must continue to prioritize initiatives that address its causes and impacts. For example, in mid-December 2021, 61 tornadoes formed in the central U.S. when such intense events are unusual, and Texas and Oklahoma saw a winter storm and freezing temperatures in February 2021. Additionally, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. experienced 20 major disasters in 2021 totaling $145 billion in damages and resulting in 688 deaths – ranking as the second-highest number of events, the third-highest cost, and the sixth highest deaths. Coupled with the continuation of high-powered storms with the rising costs of construction, labor, and materials, communities run the risk of entering an endless cycle of destruction and rebuilding.

USDA Increases Efforts to Protect U.S. Poultry and Expands Wild Bird Surveillance for Avian Influenza

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing the expansion of wild bird surveillance for avian influenza to include the Mississippi and Central Flyways.

CBP Border Patrol Stations and Ports of Entry in Southern California Generally Met TEDS Standards

During unannounced inspections in August 2021 of four U.S. Border Patrol facilities in the San Diego sector, and two Office of Field Operations ports of entry,  the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General observed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) generally operated in compliance with National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search (TEDS).

CBP Officials Implemented Rapid DNA Testing to Verify Claimed Parent-Child Relationships

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) piloted Rapid DNA technology to verify claimed parent-child relationships. ICE HSI implemented Rapid DNA testing at 11 locations across the southwest border. On 13 January 2020, the United States District Court, Southern District of California issued an order requiring DHS to test DNA before separating an adult and child based on concerns about the validity of a claimed parental relationship. 

Secretary Becerra Announces HHS Purchase of 600,000 Treatment Courses of New Monoclonal Antibody That Works Against Omicron

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra is announcing that the federal government has purchased 600,000 treatment courses of a new monoclonal antibody treatment that data shows works against the Omicron variant.

FEMA Should Apply Lessons Learned from the STEP Pilot Program Implementation in Puerto Rico to Future Programs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not ensure Puerto Rico effectively implemented the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Pilot Program following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.  The report contains two recommendations on actions the Federal Emergency Management Agency can take to enhance the program’s overall effectiveness. 

News Release: DHS S&T Posts 17 R&D Needs in Annual Long Range Broad Agency Announcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) posted the annual release of the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement, an open invitation to the scientific and technical communities to propose novel ideas that address DHS Components' highest priority operational needs.

Essentials of a School-Based Crisis Response Plan

School crisis response plans come in a variety of formats. Although the structure may vary, the content must include the essentials for the plan to be usable and effective. A basic school-based crisis response plan has seven key elements: organizing structure, communications system, accountability system, parent/student reunification, alternative location, equipment and supplies, and aftermath/recovery plan.

Article Out Loud - Essentials of a School-Based Crisis Response Plan

Secretary Becerra Announces New HHS Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra publicly announced the formation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking (the Task Force). The Task Force will facilitate implementation of the priority actions HHS has committed to in President Biden’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, as well as strengthen HHS’s human trafficking prevention and intervention efforts with a focus on partnerships, equity, and open data.

DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin

This NTAS Bulletin outlines the key factors that have increased the volatility, unpredictability, and complexity of the current threat environment, and highlights resources for individuals and communities to stay safe.

DHS Launches First-Ever Cyber Safety Review Board

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the establishment of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), as directed in President Biden’s Executive Order 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. The CSRB is an unprecedented public-private initiative that will bring together government and industry leaders to elevate our nation’s cybersecurity.

Top 10 Habits for Better Crisis Preparedness

Imagine an important grant application deadline approaching next month, delaying the submission for a couple weeks, but then a critical incident happens (perhaps, something like a pandemic) that diverts attention for weeks, months, or much longer. The routine tasks that require action are not performed in a timely manner, and the deadline for that grant application is now gone. Developing some small habits like prioritizing would have significant effect on productivity and effectiveness of response and recovery efforts for a future crisis.

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Receives $1.35 Million Grant to Help Take Preemptive Action Against Biological Threats to the United States

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense today announced receiving a $1.35 million grant from Open Philanthropy.

Countering Human Trafficking Year in Review

This DHS Countering Human Trafficking Year in Review reports on select accomplishments and advancements made by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offces and components in the last fiscal year, 1 October 2020 through 30 September 2021. It includes links to additional informative resources that explain DHS’s countertrafficking operations, outreach, and other efforts.