A chemical spill, nuclear attack, biological agent, pandemic, hurricane, and numerous other threats and hazards have the potential to kill enough people to overwhelm any particular jurisdiction. Whether that number is 10 or 10,000 or more, the āunthinkableā can happen anywhere. On 16 June 2017, DomPrep hosted a panel discussion on this topic at the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The key takeaways from that session are summarized here.
Hurricane Harvey has caused widespread destruction, and its aftermath continues to pose a
significant threat to life and safety. In this and other large-scale incidents, the exact number of
people affected is hard to determine because of the complex physical and social networks that exist
within and between jurisdictional boundaries. Knowing how to manage the lives lost and the lives
affected is a challenge. However, when preparing for a catastrophic event, it is important to remember
that even one lost life can have devastating effects on a community.
On 27 August 2017, DomPrep and the Preparedness Leadership CouncilĀ Ā lost a long-time friendĀ and the
nation lost a highly revered icon of domestic preparedness and homeland security.Ā Major General
(Ret.)Ā Timothy J. LowenbergĀ (Washington National Guard) was above all a public servant who sought to
protect the lives and safety of all Americans. His knowledge and dedication were the tools that made him
an effective advocate for homeland security issues.
A mass casualty incident leaves many victims in its wake. Beyond those who are tragically killed, survivors also suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the incident. Unfortunately, the […]
Imagine a family losing their home, their belongings ā everything. With nowhere to go, they find the nearest shelter, only to be turned away due to shelter restrictions. Maybe it […]
This special edition of the DomPrep Journal focuses on the field of emergency management, which embodies the essence of DomPrepās mission: to bridge the emergency preparedness gap between disciplines and jurisdictions. True leaders in the field demonstrate through continued action that emergency preparedness does not begin or end with a job title.
I was only 31 when I started in emergency management. There are a lot of young emergency managers out there faced with some pretty hefty responsibilities. If I were to provide advice to the next generation of emergency managers, I would say this: ā¦
Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials compose the majority of the modern workforce,
but the next generation (Generation Z) is now beginning to emerge from schools and colleges. Before this
new generation transforms into a significant portion of the workforce, it is important to determine what
makes these young people unique and what they can offer to the emergency management field.
Each year, experienced emergency management and first responder personnel are retiring from their
careers, and retiring the vital skills that they spent their lifetimes learning. As the next generation
of young adults moves into these fields, it is critical for the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the
previous generations to be passed on through education, training, and mentorships. Some organizations
are leading this effort with youth programs that strive to attract new interest in emergency
preparedness and response.
On 27 June 2017, the Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management (UASEM), the first high school in the United States dedicated to the field, graduated its first cohort of students. Over the past four years, UASEM has engaged students in exploring careers in first response through trips to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) training headquarters, logistics at the New York City Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center, and internships in emergency management organizations across the region.
A chemical spill, nuclear attack, biological agent, pandemic, hurricane, and numerous other threats and hazards have the potential to kill enough people to overwhelm any particular jurisdiction. Whether that number is 10 or 10,000 or more, the āunthinkableā can happen anywhere. On 16 June 2017, DomPrep hosted a panel discussion on this topic at the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The key takeaways from that session are summarized here. 
Hurricane Harvey has caused widespread destruction, and its aftermath continues to pose a
significant threat to life and safety. In this and other large-scale incidents, the exact number of
people affected is hard to determine because of the complex physical and social networks that exist
within and between jurisdictional boundaries. Knowing how to manage the lives lost and the lives
affected is a challenge. However, when preparing for a catastrophic event, it is important to remember
that even one lost life can have devastating effects on a community. 
On 27 August 2017, DomPrep and the Preparedness Leadership CouncilĀ Ā lost a long-time friendĀ and the
nation lost a highly revered icon of domestic preparedness and homeland security.Ā Major General
(Ret.)Ā Timothy J. LowenbergĀ (Washington National Guard) was above all a public servant who sought to
protect the lives and safety of all Americans. His knowledge and dedication were the tools that made him
an effective advocate for homeland security issues. 
A mass casualty incident leaves many victims in its wake. Beyond those who are tragically killed, survivors also suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the incident. Unfortunately, the […] 
Imagine a family losing their home, their belongings ā everything. With nowhere to go, they find the nearest shelter, only to be turned away due to shelter restrictions. Maybe it […] 
Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials compose the majority of the modern workforce,
but the next generation (Generation Z) is now beginning to emerge from schools and colleges. Before this
new generation transforms into a significant portion of the workforce, it is important to determine what
makes these young people unique and what they can offer to the emergency management field. 
Each year, experienced emergency management and first responder personnel are retiring from their
careers, and retiring the vital skills that they spent their lifetimes learning. As the next generation
of young adults moves into these fields, it is critical for the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the
previous generations to be passed on through education, training, and mentorships. Some organizations
are leading this effort with youth programs that strive to attract new interest in emergency
preparedness and response. 