COMMENTARY ARCHIVES
An Open Letter to the President-Elect
Martin D. Masiuk
November 5, 2008
President-Elect Obama has promised that “change” will be the hallmark of his administration. Here are a few major changes that, it is respectfully suggested, he might consider in the fields of national defense and homeland security.
Anatomy of a BioDetector: A Complicated Technology Explained for the Layman
Doreen A. Robinson
October 8, 2008
The detection and disposal of lethal biological agents is one of the most difficult challenges facing the nation’s emergency responders. A leading U.S. expert discusses the progress already made to solve this problem, and what is coming next.
China Today: Spectacular, Mesmerizing, Prosperous – But
James D. Hessman
September 24, 2008
An AUSA (Association of the U.S. Army) report takes a close look at the “New China” and sees not only unprecedented prosperity and a less hostile foreign policy but also a fierce nationalism and some still-simmering anti-U.S. political policies.
Customizing the Tool: The Tailoring of Crisis-Management and Mass-Casualty Software
Kate Rosenblatt
September 17, 2008
The U.S. healthcare system is in most respects the best in the world. But keeping the paperwork up with the patient is still a formidable problem, particularly in the handling of mass-casualty patients with several hospitals involved.
On the Anniversary of 9-11, Where Is Homeland Security as an Election Issue
Jena Baker McNeill
September 17, 2008
The campaign platforms of the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates differ in many particulars, but they should agree on most homeland-security issues. (Article reprinted courtesy of the Heritage Foundation.)
‘Zero Hour’: A Serious Game for Emergency Responders
James D. Hessman
September 17, 2008
George Washington University plans to convene two “policy summits” focused on the preparedness needs of large cities. One highlight of the meetings will be a bloodily realistic videogame showing how first responders can help turn victims into patients.
A Follow-Up Report: Breakthrough in Towson – AHC’s GIS Workshop
Diana Hopkins
September 10, 2008
The 29-30 July All-Hazards Consortium workshop focused on the exciting technological capabilities provided by the introduction of new GIS (geographic information systems) devices, and spelled out a number of formidable challenges as well.
Battlefield Forensics: Rebirth of an Ancient Science
Neil C. Livingstone
August 13, 2008
Historians see yesterday’s battlefields as primary sources for their next scholarly tomes. The modern military sees today’s battlefield as an unsifted mountain of intelligence information and, possibly, as evidence in future courtroom proceedings.
Containing the Threat: Eleven Million Challenges
James D. Hessman
June 25, 2008
CBP falls short in its efforts to start implementing the “100-percent screening” mandate issued by Congress. The issues involved are numerous, costly, and extremely complicated. Nonetheless, failure is not an option.
NIMS Training Plans: An Effort Without End
Stephen Grainer
June 16, 2008
From George Washington’s days to the present, U.S. leaders have adhered to the credo that “Eternal Vigilance” is “the price of freedom.” Today, those wise words of warning are applicable, with only a slight modification, to the efforts of federal, state, and local officials seeking to meet National Incident Management
Three to Get Ready
James D. Hessman
May 21, 2008
The could-have/should-have (but did not) scenarios of the past serve as abundant reminders that the cost of national preparedness is only a fraction of the much higher cost that must always be paid for not being prepared.
Debris Recycling – Transforming Disasters Into Opportunities
Kirby McCrary
April 16, 2008
After the storm comes the rainbow. Supposedly. After a disaster comes the debris – and the problem of what to do with it. Surprisingly, perhaps, there are some profitable solutions that should be considered.
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