COMMENTARY ARCHIVES
Close to Home
Catherine L. Feinman
August 30, 2023
This August 2023 issue of the Domestic Preparedness Journal focuses on several ways disasters can suddenly hit close to home and suggestions for mitigating potentially devastating consequences.
Recruitment and Retention Panel Discussion
Aaron Alvarez, Nathan DiPillo, Anthony S. Mangeri, Elizabeth Saunders and Michael Valiente
August 9, 2023
On August 3, 2023, Domestic Preparedness hosted a panel of five emergency management professionals who discussed today’s recruitment and retention challenges.
Maintaining Planning Strategies for Evolving Threats
Catherine L. Feinman
July 25, 2023
Research and evaluation help emergency preparedness professionals stay current on emerging threats, new technologies, and resource and training gaps. The authors in this July edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal share important research and lessons learned to assist in the planning process for any organization.
Getting Ready for the Next Emergency
Catherine L. Feinman
June 27, 2023
During an emergency, it is common for communities – comprising private citizens to large agencies – to come to the aid of others. It is imperative to be prepared now because emergencies will not wait for us to get ready.
You’re the Leader. Now What?
Catherine L. Feinman
June 14, 2023
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that, as of May 8, the United States had experienced seven confirmed $1-billion weather/climate-related disasters in 2023. Three more storms that occurred in April may soon be added to that list. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 35 major
Making Planning Documents More Than Words on Paper
Andrew (Andy) Altizer
May 17, 2023
President Harry S. Truman once said, “I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can’t possibly foresee now.” However, terms like big and comprehensive do not always equate to size. Something that is laborious and unread adds no value for those tasked with managing emergencies and disasters. However,
Planning for Future Events Requires Updated Plans
Catherine L. Feinman
April 26, 2023
Threats, hazards, and risks change over time as numerous variables change. This means preparedness professionals must be forward-thinking when planning for emergencies and disasters. Past events can teach valuable lessons for the future, and sometimes those lessons include adapting old plans to meet new or emerging challenges. The authors in
Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool
Catherine L. Feinman
March 29, 2023
Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, critical information and data can sometimes be misused, not effectively leveraged, not shared, or simply ignored. In these scenarios, it is more difficult to
Technological Strategies for Organizational Leadership
Nathan DiPillo
February 22, 2023
Article Out Loud Integrating information technology (IT) into emergency management and public safety agencies involves balancing technological limitations with the organizational mindset. Finding this balance has been discussed in practice, academia, and across multiple disciplines, with friction sometimes emerging between the leadership mindset, staff, data, training, and implementation. For example,
Threat Awareness – Actions Now Mitigate Disasters Later
Catherine L. Feinman
February 22, 2023
Reducing or eliminating the long-term risks associated with natural, human-caused, or technological disasters begins with an awareness that specific threats exist. For example, a Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States and was shot down on February 4, 2023. The exact level of threat that it posed and the
Strong Foundations – What Every Disaster Plan Needs
Catherine L. Feinman
January 25, 2023
The initial goal of a disaster plan should be to avoid the disaster. The secondary goal should be to respond effectively when a disaster cannot be avoided. To be clear, the disaster here is not a hurricane, earthquake, flood, wildfire, tornado, or even human attacker. These are simply examples of
How One Town Stood Up to a Category 4 Storm
Jennifer Languell
January 4, 2023
When Category 4 Hurricane Ian crossed Florida in September 2022, more than 4 million Florida homes and businesses lost power. However, one town kept the lights on and was spared the devastation the cities surrounding it faced. With resilience and sustainability in mind, this author shares the planning involved in
