by NATHAN DIPILLO, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Several national critical functions and all 16 critical infrastructure sectors rely either directly or indirectly on functional and consistent position, navigation, and timing (PNT) signals. As such, fragility of weak and easily imitated global positioning system (GPS) signals could lead to catastrophic impacts on dependent and interdependent critical infrastructure systems. Designating PNT-signal-emanating assets as a standalone national critical function would bring resources, awareness, research, additional risk mitigation measures, and new solutions to help keep consistent and resilient PNT signals operational if threatened by natural and human-caused threats.
By ROB SCHNEPP , An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 10, 2005.
For the last several years, fire agencies across the country have been actively preparing to handle incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The need for solid and reliable information traditionally accompanies those preparations – and, with the large number of credible and varied attack scenarios to consider, including radiation incidents, most of the nation’s fire departments have found it difficult if not impossible to stay ahead of the equipment, information, and training curve.
By OMAR BOURNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 23, 2018.
New York City has various disaster preparedness teams that are specially equipped to manage many types of threats. One such team involves canines trained to perform search and rescue tasks. Canines have helped save lives at critical times following disasters such as 9/11, when finding survivors among rubble and debris is especially challenging. A Dutch Shepherd named Diesel is one responder who currently works with New York City Police Department to prepare for the next disaster.
By ASHA M. GEORGE & JOHN T. O' BRIEN , An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
On 17 February 2022, Dr. Asha M. George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at a hearing on addressing the gaps in the nation’s biodefense and level of preparedness to respond to biological threats. In 2015, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense released its first report, A National Blueprint for Biodefense, to warn that the biological threat was rising and to inform the government that the nation was insufficiently prepared to handle a large-scale biological event. When COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, many of those findings proved to be true.
By ANTHONY S. MANGERI SR., an Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 27, 2011
The city of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, recently received $1.4 million for hazard mitigation projects. The guiding principle in emergency preparedness is virtually identical to one of the Golden Rules of good health: Prevention is much better, and almost always lower in cost, than recovery and rehabilitation. This 2011 grant article provides a snapshot of the grants that were available along with how to find FEMA grants that are currently being offered, like the HMGP grant provided to Reedsburg.
By GORDON HUNTER, an Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 12, 2015.
Currently, in Kentucky communities hard hit by severe storms and tornados, Home Depot and Walmart have teamed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer workshops on home improvement tips, methods for preventing future damage, and techniques for rebuilding homes to be hazard resistant. As described in this 2015 article, the ongoing public-private partnership efforts in Kentucky can help to shorten the recovery period and increase community preparedness for future threats.
by , An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Shootings, acts of violence, crimes, abuse, suicides, overdoses, and other incidents and tragedies are increasing nationwide. Cities across the nation saw a surge of homicides in 2020 and many cities were at or near record levels for homicides in 2021. Cities also saw spikes in 2020 and 2021 with crimes, abuse, suicides, overdoses, and other incidents. Organizations, schools, and communities have continued to add more security solutions as well as more hotlines, safety/threat assessment teams, policies, trainings, and laws. However, violence and crime statistics do not reflect better safety.
by ANN LESPERANCE, an Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, October 10, 2012.
During a major disaster, saving lives and protecting the environment while ensuring public safety are all-encompassing priorities. As a catastrophe unfolds, decision makers at all levels of government are faced with a myriad of questions and/or issues that must be quickly addressed and resolved to return a sense of normalcy to the devastated region. Additional challenges would be presented if the catastrophe was the result of a terrorist attack using a weapon of mass destruction (WMD).
by TANIA GLENN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 21, 2014.
In the aftermath of 9/11, aviation and other transportation incidents have become the focus of much national and international attention. Commercial aviation incidents like U.S. Airways Flight 1549 making an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 making a crash landing onto the San Francisco runway in July 2013, and Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappearing in midair in March 2014 raise legitimate concerns over aviation safety, standardization, and security. However, regardless of the type of incident, the personal resilience levels of those affected may vary greatly.
by JUDY KRUGER & ROMEO LAVARIAS, an Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.
Since the spring of 2020, variables such 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. It is useful because it can help identify the complexity of an infectious disease problem to inform resource allocation across many domains in the hopes of identifying gaps that can be addressed. This article looks at the pandemic as an event outside the realm of regular expectations due to the scope, duration, scale, and social climate.
