Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool

Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. The authors in this March edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal describe various ways information sharing reaches across potential barriers to help emergency preparedness professionals before, during, and after disasters.

TSA Administrator testifies about FY24 proposed budget that improves security, efficiency and traveler experience

As approved in the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Act and signed by the President in December 2022, this budget proposal includes necessary funding for the agency to continue to implement an employee compensation package that is commensurate with other federal agencies and provisions to accommodate increasing passenger travel volumes and maintain wait times standards. This funding provides needed resources to pay TSA employees commensurate with its federal counterparts, dedicate an additional $70 million to expand Computed Tomography (CT) deployments to airport checkpoints nationwide and provide $151 million to fund TSA’s efforts to mitigate the cyber threat across surface and aviation transportation sectors.

FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription.

DHS’s new Operation Blue Lotus has Already Stopped More Than 900 Pounds of Fentanyl From Entering the United States

DHS announced that Operation Blue Lotus, a new coordinated and surge operation targeting the smuggling of fentanyl, stopped more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from coming into the United States in its first week. Led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and working with federal, state, tribal and local partners, DHS is investing additional personnel, technology, and other resources along the southwest border to detect and seize this dangerous drug at and between ports of entry.

Guidance for Preparing Professionals Mentally for the Worst

When a disaster strikes, responders face scenarios that deviate from normal routines, protocols, and resources. This newly proposed sufficiency testing and training guidance for disaster responders aims to prepare professionals mentally for these worst-case scenarios. By attempting to perform small but impossible tasks, participants begin to address the mental challenges they are likely to encounter during a crisis.

Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness

No single communication solution can apply to every situation. To better prepare the next generation of public safety professionals, one professor is challenging young adults to develop social media messaging that reaches diverse populations and encourages action to protect lives and property during emergencies.

Article Out Loud - Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness

Article Out Loud - Guidance for Preparing Professionals Mentally for the Worst

Article Out Loud - Hospitals Must Prepare Now for Future Contingencies

Article Out Loud - “Emergency Management” – A Misnomer

A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery

In March 2023, FEMA published the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan. Learn about this big step forward for the emergency management community – the development and content of this new plan as well as the next steps for key stakeholders.

Tornadoes – Adapting Plans for a Changing Environment

Common terms like “Tornado Alley” should not get in the way of planning for evolving environmental threats. Meteorologists look at trends and recognize that tornadoes are one natural hazard that is shifting eastward. Make sure state and local hazard mitigation plans are updated and ready for this shift.

Article Out Loud - A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery

Article Out Loud - Tornadoes – Adapting Plans for a Changing Environment

Article Out Loud - Reauthorizing the Nation's Preparedness

Article Out Loud - The 'Dirty' Details About Explosive Devices

CISA Made Progress but Resources, Staffing, and Technology Challenges Hinder Cyber Threat Detection and Mitigation

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity, responsible for coordinating cyber incident response and mitigation. In December 2020, CISA issued an emergency directive about an advanced cyberattack that had caused a breach of SolarWinds software and Federal computing networks. This review was conducted to determine CISA’s ability to detect and mitigate risks from major cyberattacks based on lessons learned after the SolarWinds breach. Four recommendations are made to address CISA’s resource needs and improve technology to enhance cyber detection and mitigation.

Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

The Biden-Harris Administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which provides $60.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and an additional $20.1 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to address major disasters. The FY 2024 Budget invests in border security, cybersecurity, maritime security, natural disaster recovery and resilience, and other critical DHS missions.

Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan

The Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan (FIOP) guides federal departments and agencies (hereafter “federal agencies”) in executing the response and recovery mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal to achieve Unity of Effort through coordination and communication following an incident for which an interagency response is required. Response and recovery are two of the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal.

News Release: DHS S&T Awards Funds to Brooklyn Startup Developing Flood Analytics Tech

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced a Phase 1 Other Transaction award of $195,260 to Cloud to Street (commercially conducting business as Floodbase), a Brooklyn, New York-based startup to develop flood analytics technology that will help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) improve preparedness and response efforts.

DHS Releases FY23 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Notice of Funding

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Administered by the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the TVTP Grant Program supports local communities in their efforts to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.

Leader of the Pack – Canine Detection

In the wake of a disaster, time is critical for locating survivors and recovering bodies. This type of work requires training, skills, and abilities acquired by canines due to their unique anatomy and physiology. However, there are key considerations before implementing K9 programs.

Fostering Public Buy-In to Support Public Safety

Emergency managers often go unnoticed until a disaster occurs. However, disaster response efforts are much more effective when communities work together and trust their local responding agencies. Learn how one county has changed its mindset to develop stronger community partnerships and buy-in before the next disaster.

Article Out Loud - Leader of the Pack – Canine Detection

Article Out Loud - Fostering Public Buy-In to Support Public Safety

The National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health 2022 Annual Report

The 2022 Annual Report showcases many of the Center’s accomplishments and outlines plans for 2023. Some of the highlights include: Stop the Bleed continues to reach thousands of individuals through the app and FAST (First Aid for Severe Trauma) course specifically designed for high school students, Military-Civilian NYC COVID-19 Response Workshop which brought together military and civilian health care professionals to share lessons and evaluate the response in NYC to the pandemic, DoD National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Pilot Program, which expanded its efforts to include site implementation plans at each of the five Pilot sites, a master implementation plan and countless collaborations between military and civilian health care organizations. 

Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on President Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy

DHS will continue to bolster partnerships and strengthen the nation’s cyber resilience. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on President Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.

Article Out Loud - Green Building Plus Greater Safety Equals Survival

Article Out Loud - Food Safety: An Emergency Manager's Perspective

An Integrated Public Safety Approach for Evolving Threats

Evolving threats require integrated public safety approaches. Concepts like the Rescue Task Force, models like the Cynefin Framework, and numerous other available resources can help communities develop collaborative response plans for evolving threats and complex coordinated attacks like fire as a weapon.

Data Sharing – A Necessary Public Safety Tool

Criminal activities are not limited to jurisdictional boundaries, nor should the ability to share information collaboratively. Cooperative data sharing within and between jurisdictions is essential for today’s law enforcement demands. As such, law enforcement and other public safety agencies must work together to create a safer and more just society.

Article Out Loud - An Integrated Public Safety Approach for Evolving Threats

Article Out Loud - Data Sharing – A Necessary Public Safety Tool