Since the mid-19th century, the method for mapping disasters has evolved from hard-copy maps with manually plotted cases of cholera outbreaks to advanced satellite-based global information systems. The development, introduction, and use of a broad spectrum of GIS systems that can pinpoint - quickly, precisely, and on a continuing basis - the exact locations of ships, aircraft, ground vehicles, and people now provide an almost unlimited number of applications for the emergency management profession.
Which is more important - the preservation of civil rights, or a substantial (but unprovable) gain in homeland security? That is the question that the U.S. Supreme Court must answer as it ponders the numerous complexities in the controversial case known as United States v. Jones.
As firefighters and other emergency responders well know, disaster may be lurking just around the next corner. Or maybe in the burning room one floor below. Which is why breadcrumbs and a working PASS or any other reliable type of tracking-and-location system are so important in fighting fires. "The life you save may be your own" is not a joke; it is, rather, the first rule in survival.
From Post-It notes to high-tech wireless systems, the evidence - verified by a horrendous mass-casualty incident (MCI) in California and close calls in several other states - is clear: Rapid, comprehensive, and well-controlled communications are key to the mounting and management of an effective response. Adherence to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines also helps, as does the promulgation of lessons learned from previous MCIs.
The versatile Center for Domestic Preparedness, already a true national asset, continues to expand its curriculum - and its value to healthcare professionals throughout the country. The center's Hospital Emergency Response Training course, the latest example, provides "incredible" hands-on training that will be particularly valuable in dealing with the decontamination phases of mass-casualty incidents.
The "first child" could not be saved, which meant that considerable time had already been wasted. But real life is a grim teacher - which is exactly why the Center for Domestic Preparedness makes its chilling incident scenarios as lifelike and realistic as possible. The end result: Invaluable training for thousands of responders from all areas of the country - at no cost to their own communities.
The term "Resilience" started out as a vague and ill-defined insiders' buzzword, later escalated into a good idea, then became an operational goal, and eventually an equal partner with readiness, response, and recovery. In the last several years it has continued to evolve into a major area of operations and a new field of study at colleges and universities throughout the nation.
Throughout history, the most difficult enemy to stop has been the lone-wolf assassin willing to sacrifice his/her own life for what he/she considers a noble cause. When that person is part of a larger team of would-be martyrs, the task becomes immensely more difficult and broader in scope. Advance training helps - but not enough - to stop what, in the 21st century, has become a clear and present danger in all peace-loving nations in the world.
The nation's first responders and emergency managers are focusing increased attention on how to deal with the invisible but nonetheless deadly consequences of a "dirty bomb" terrorist incident. It is respectfully suggested here that a helpful way to start would be to understand the basics of radiation, including the fact that not all atoms are created equal.
California's Ventura County uses forward-looking tracking capabilities to plan for mass evacuations. Its emergency planners are already focusing on the worst-case scenarios of a future nuclear or chemical attack, including the possibility that hundreds of thousands of refugees from Los Angeles might see the county as their destination of choice in a future time of sudden disaster.
