With so many graduate degrees available, it can sometimes be confusing to know which to pursue when entering the world of emergency and disaster preparedness and response. Domestic Preparedness Advisor Andrew Roszak addressed one broad-based degree that covers many areas critical for managing disasters. In this podcast, Dr. Randolf Burnside of Southern Illinois Universityâs Political Science Department and Dr. Anirudh Ruhil of Ohio Universityâs Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs share their insight about the Masterâs of Public Administration (MPA) degree and how it can help prepare professionals for jobs in both the public and private sectors.
On the morning of 10 September 2017, Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane. Mandatory evacuation pushed tens of thousands of people onto a two-lane road. Returning to the area following the storm introduced additional challenges, for example: fuel trucks having trouble entering, housing shortages, landlord issues, builder contract concerns, vulnerable populations, and other reasons for delayed entry. With surrounding areas also being affected by the storm, prioritization and allocation of essential services and shared assets, as well as warehousing of donations proved to be difficult. However, out-of-state workers and resources such as the Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) have played critical roles during the ongoing recovery phase.
Launched by Methodist minister William Booth and the East London Christian Mission in 1865, The Salvation Army provides services during both daily operations and times of disaster. More than just thrift stores and bell ringers, The Salvation Army provides small- and large-scale disaster relief â from house fires to major hurricanes. This âArmy of Goodâ includes about 5,000 officers, 60,000 employees, and more than 1 million volunteers located in 26 countries and across the United States.
On 16 May 2017, Domestic Preparedness hosted a podcast recording with a panel of subject matter experts to discuss the topic of federal grant funding. The Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program focuses federal funds on dense urban areas where threats and consequences of attacks are significant. By enhancing the planning, training, and resources in these high-risk areas, the nation as a whole is more prepared for terrorist and other threats. By building and sustaining capabilities in these critical areas, all communities benefit. This podcast addresses potential federal budget cuts to the program, but these subject matter experts explain how cuts to the UASI program would be short sighted. As with any program, it has its flaws, but the regional collaborative support capabilities that it builds are an essential component to national homeland security protection. Listen to hear more.
On 18 April 2017, DomPrep hosted a podcast recording with a panel of subject matter experts to discuss the topic of children in disasters. The discussion was moderated by Andrew Roszak, senior director for emergency preparedness at Child Care AwareÂź of America. This 40-minute discussion addressed the following key topics
The recent assassination of North Korea’s Kim Jong Nam raises questions about the VX nerve agent, which could affect emergency responders who have not been recently trained or have not come in direct contact with this deadly chemical. On Thursday, 2 March 2017, DomPrep hosted a 30-minute audio podcast with four subject matter experts. This 30-minute discussion addresses: The approximate amount of lethal material available worldwide, the reasons that chemical weapon agents are a clear and present threat to local and state officials, the difficulty in detecting them, the need for prompt awareness and response, and the ways in which chemical weapons have become the new norm.
On 18 January 2017, Domestic Preparednessâ publisher Martin Masiuk met with Joseph Trindal, president and chief operating officer at Coastal International Security, to discuss the challenge of retaining personnel in law enforcement and possible solutions for addressing this problem. As long-term personnel retire, so too does their knowledge. Challenges by external forces, escalation of violence toward officers, and technological challenges each can have adverse effects on recruiting and retaining personnel. Possible solutions involve maintaining high standards and vetting procedures for new officers, beginning efforts at the grade-school level, improving public opinion, building community support, leveraging best practices, and training officers on new technologies and community-centric practices.
At the International Association of Emergency Managers annual conference in October 2016, Domestic Preparedness Advisor Anthony Mangeri sat down with Richard Serino, distinguished visiting fellow at Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, to discuss leadership as it relates to crisis communications.
Domestic Preparednessâ Editor-in-Chief Catherine Feinman interviewed the following subject matter experts from various disciplines to find out their suggestions for improving the âWhole Communityâ effort in jurisdictions across the country.
Since 9/11, critical infrastructure has evolved from a basic awareness of security into robust
discussions on how to sustain entire communities. Each natural and manmade disaster emphasizes the need
for greater sustainability and resilience. In this podcast, subject matter experts discuss some of these
lessons learned, as well as development of career fields and bodies of knowledge.
With so many graduate degrees available, it can sometimes be confusing to know which to pursue when entering the world of emergency and disaster preparedness and response. Domestic Preparedness Advisor Andrew Roszak addressed one broad-based degree that covers many areas critical for managing disasters. In this podcast, Dr. Randolf Burnside of Southern Illinois Universityâs Political Science Department and Dr. Anirudh Ruhil of Ohio Universityâs Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs share their insight about the Masterâs of Public Administration (MPA) degree and how it can help prepare professionals for jobs in both the public and private sectors. 
Since 9/11, critical infrastructure has evolved from a basic awareness of security into robust
discussions on how to sustain entire communities. Each natural and manmade disaster emphasizes the need
for greater sustainability and resilience. In this podcast, subject matter experts discuss some of these
lessons learned, as well as development of career fields and bodies of knowledge. 