In the United States, there are ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Presidential directives, coupled with national security strategies and several iterations of the
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), have spanned the terms of at least four presidents and
included the rail system. The volume of activity on or near rail lines, potential threats, and
interdependencies all raise concern for the protection of this critical infrastructure asset.
The 2017 Emerging Homeland Security Issues panel met in December to discuss the current challenges of today’s threats, review risk management practices, assess means of strengthening interagency relationships, and to consider future resource requirements.
From coast to coast, communities across the United States are implementing solutions to address gaps that could hinder response efforts should a disaster occur. From special events to widespread natural […]
The threat of homemade explosives (HMEs) is not new. From the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, to the “shoe bomber,” London underground bombings, “underwear bomber,” and attacks in Paris and Brussels in the 2000s, the threat is ever changing. Not only do post-incident crime scenes present danger to responders until secondary devices have been ruled out, but also makeshift laboratories where the bombs are made. Handheld explosives trace detection (ETD) equipment can help responders quickly determine on-scene threats, like Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and react appropriately and expediently.
Modern communities are faced with myriad threats, risks, and hazards that require careful planning, significant information gathering, and actionable preparedness practices. Since incidents range in scale and scope, it is […]
This article explores the meaning of safe and secure schools, shows where current schools are falling short, and offers policy prescriptions, pointing to the pending federal infrastructure package as a […]
For more than a decade, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) statistics have shown that, although there has been some improvement, not enough people are prepared for emergencies and disasters. However, […]
As another calendar year comes to a close, agencies and organizations are reflecting on the events of 2017: hurricanes, mass shootings, wildfires, critical infrastructure failures, disease outbreaks, cyberattacks, and other […]
“The whole point of U.S. nuclear weapons control is to make sure that the president – and only the
president – can use them if and whenever he decides to do so,” said Alex Wellerstein, a historian of
nuclear weapons at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in an article published on 1 December 2016. As
presidents and circumstances change, it is important to understand presidential authority and
legislation as they relate to nuclear weapons.
There is a desire for some bad actors to target rail systems, especially the hazardous materials freight rail network. This threat underscores the need for the rail transportation industry to maintain and strengthen partnerships with federal, state, and local authorities.
In the United States, there are ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Presidential directives, coupled with national security strategies and several iterations of the
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), have spanned the terms of at least four presidents and
included the rail system. The volume of activity on or near rail lines, potential threats, and
interdependencies all raise concern for the protection of this critical infrastructure asset. 
The 2017 Emerging Homeland Security Issues panel met in December to discuss the current challenges of today’s threats, review risk management practices, assess means of strengthening interagency relationships, and to consider future resource requirements. 
This article explores the meaning of safe and secure schools, shows where current schools are falling short, and offers policy prescriptions, pointing to the pending federal infrastructure package as a […] 
For more than a decade, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) statistics have shown that, although there has been some improvement, not enough people are prepared for emergencies and disasters. However, […] 
There is a desire for some bad actors to target rail systems, especially the hazardous materials freight rail network. This threat underscores the need for the rail transportation industry to maintain and strengthen partnerships with federal, state, and local authorities. 