Chemical Sector Perspectives | Domestic Preparedness Photo: Source: CISA, 2022
Resilience

Chemical Sector Perspectives

by Patrick Coyle -

The Chemical Sector is one of 16 sectors identified as critical infrastructure under the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. Domestic Preparedness invited one subject matter expert to answer important questions about this sector and how the sector and its interdependencies can affect any community.

 
Resilience

Lessons From Leading Virtual Operations

by Jennifer Pearsall -

Over the past two and a half years, most emergency preparedness professionals experienced some level of virtual work, even at emergency operations centers (EOC). And it appears that some aspects of working virtually is here to stay – including during a response. This article describes some lessons learned from one emergency manager tasked with running a virtual EOC.

Healthcare

Military Combat Skills for Civilian Disaster Response

by Lisa Nenno & Timothy Miller -

During their service, military personnel acquire a broad range of lifesaving skills that are critical when on the frontline during wartime. Effective medical triage is one of the skills needed during combat and any major disaster or catastrophic event. Partnering with tribal and other civilian stakeholders, military veterans provided a unique perspective and training experience during a national-level exercise.

Preparedness

Taking Flight – Creating a Robust Aviation Response, Part 1

by Sky Terry -

General aviation pilots have been finding ways to assist their communities during emergencies and disasters for many years. However, over the past two years, significant advances in disaster preparedness have been made as emergency response plans were created and exercised to integrate volunteer aviation response into other community response efforts.

Commentary

Resources Not to Be Overlooked

by Catherine L. Feinman -

The term “whole community” is frequently used in preparedness materials and discussions. In practice, though, how often is the whole community represented and all community resources considered? Here are some key resources that should not be overlooked.

Resilience

Tribal Nations Test Their Communications Capabilities

by Bruce Fitzgerald -

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake is a predictable scenario along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This article describes how the tribal nations in the Pacific Northwest are preparing their region for this catastrophic event. This exercise allowed tribal and non-tribal participants to evaluate their resources and test their communications capabilities.

Resilience

Building Resource Capacity – Start Now

by Andrew Altizer & Timothy Murphy -

Building resource capacity involves research, planning, and execution that should begin now. Identifying potential dangers, considering “what if” scenarios, capitalizing on other events and incidents, and overcoming barriers are key components for building resilient communities. This article explains how to get started.

Resilience

Respecting Tribal Emergency Management

by John Pennington -

Emergency management professionals are tasked with making their communities more resilient to future threats and disasters. However, emergency management leaders and their organizations must adjust and adapt to more than just response scenarios. For tribal emergency managers, this means following the principles that define an evolving emergency management fields while also navigating additional bureaucratic obstacles and adhering to their distinct cultural traditions and protocols.

Preparedness

Uvalde Shooting – A Predictable Surprise

by William H. Austin -

When intentional acts of violence occur, people often wonder if the incident was preventable. For example, after a mass shooting killed 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, many were questioning the predictability of the gunman’s actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions.

Preparedness

Strategic Depth & the Fight Against Violent Extremism

by Richard Schoeberl & W. Cochran Pruett -

Despite the deaths of Islamic State and al-Qaida leadership, violent extremism is not gone. This article describes why, despite recent successful strikes against terrorist groups, intelligence agencies and others tasked with protecting their communities must stay vigilant. More strategic depth is needed to help reduce the possibility of the extremist groups’ resurgence.

Resilience

Credentialing a Nation’s Volunteer Responder Network

by Patty Ridings -

Catastrophic earthquakes and a desire for residents to help their neighbors inspired the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Since its creation in 1986, CERT has become a nationwide program that continues to evolve. This article describes how a new digital solution is closing the credentialing gap between citizen responders and emergency services agencies to enhance whole-community resilience.

Updates

With New American Rescue Plan Funding, HHS Expands and Strengthens the Community and Public Health Workforce

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration, awarded more than $266 million in American Rescue Plan funding to grow the community and public health workforce.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1 Billion in Funding for First-Ever State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity grant program specifically for state, local, and territorial (SLT) governments across the country. This State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, made possible thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $1 billion in funding to SLT partners over four years, with $185 million available for Fiscal Year 22, to support SLT efforts to address cyber risk to their information systems.

S&T Launches New Training Guideline for Detection Canine Teams

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced a new interactive training tool for handlers and trainers of explosive detection canines to upgrade their capabilities to Person-Borne Explosives Detection.

DHS Releases Recommendations to Protect National Public Warning System from EMPs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a report on operational approaches to protect the National Public Warning System from an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). The report is a collaborative effort between the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Program, and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

FEMA Releases First-Ever National Tribal Strategy

FEMA released a national tribal strategy -- the agency’s first-ever -- to better address its responsibilities to federally recognized tribal nations when responding to and preparing for disasters affecting tribal lands.