COMMUNICATION & INTEROPERABILITY ARCHIVES
Community Preparedness for Power-Grid Failure
Mary Lasky
November 25, 2014
Loss of the electric power grid could cause cascading effects following a major disaster. By working and planning together, individuals and communities will be better prepared and more resilient when faced with any disaster. As communities plan for major disasters, they also will be better prepared for not-so-major incidents.
Electromagnetic Pulse Triage & Recovery
Charles (Chuck) L. Manto
November 25, 2014
There are immediate and long-term steps – planning, triaging, and shielding – that any organization can take to mitigate disasters related to electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Understanding how EMP works, benefits and types of protective actions, as well as standards and ratings will help simplify the process of protecting civilian critical
Grid Power Failure – Alternative Energy Systems That Work
William Kaewert
November 19, 2014
As businesses and residents examine alternative energy sources in light of long-term power outage threats, some important features must be considered. Ensuring that a system is able to operate off grid requires that it operate completely independently, have a manual or automatic transfer switch installed, and include either on-site energy
Satellite Navigation & Timing: Good News, Bad News
Dana A. Goward
November 19, 2014
The Global Positioning System is an integral part of the U.S. critical infrastructure. However, its importance may not be realized until the system fails. It is important to examine the good and the bad of satellite navigation and timing when discussing: current systems, vulnerabilities, satellite signals, cost, implementation, and government
Washington, D.C. – Fail Gracefully, Recover Quickly
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
November 11, 2014
In the nation’s capital, emergency managers identify hazards, consider location-specific elements, and implement lessons learned from past incidents in order to create a robust preparedness plan for critical infrastructures, including power and water. Efforts in neighboring jurisdictions and private sector cooperation also contribute to the regional resilience of the power
‘Old-School’ Response to Medical Emergencies
Joseph Cahill
November 10, 2014
This current emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch and response process has evolved significantly over the past few decades. A dispatcher records the details of a 911 call in a web-based application. That information flows through a computer terminal into an ambulance. The unit responds using directions from a global positioning
Hazard Assessment & Response Management for CBRNE Incidents (HARM)
Domestic Preparedness
November 9, 2014
The Center for Domestic Preparedness is offering a unique course that challenges individuals assembled from different disciplines and geographic areas to apply their operational knowledge in support of a hazardous materials team responding to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) incident.
Part V – The ‘Big Picture’: Integration of Strategies & Plans
Catherine L. Feinman
October 29, 2014
Part 5 of 5: By implementing a national command structure, creating ongoing relationships, sharing resources, and participating in joint exercises and trainings, Baltimore City is able to better coordinate preparedness efforts with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions to protect communities and critical infrastructure. A small staff can accomplish a lot when
Multidiscipline Training
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Since 1998, the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama, has been offering interdisciplinary training to emergency responders. In April 2014, the Baltimore regional incident management team (IMT) traveled to Anniston for a pilot program developed for IMTs. Listen to Captain Michael Pfaltzgraff of the Anne Arundel County Fire
Part IV – A Regional ‘Whole-Community’ Approach
Catherine L. Feinman
October 22, 2014
Part 4 of 5: Baltimore City takes the whole-community approach to a regional level. By integrating the business community into the city’s operations and planning process and working with regional partners to plan for and respond to incidents and special events, the city is able to use these many relationships
A Training Partnership That Began With a Grant
University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security
October 15, 2014
Emergency management agencies must build relationships with many different agencies and organizations. In some cases, these relationships grow into an integrated partnership with diverse roles and responsibilities. The Center for Health and Homeland Security and Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management have one such partnership, which is helping to
Part III – Collaborative Efforts for Citywide Preparedness
Catherine L. Feinman
October 15, 2014
Part 3 of 5: In any large city, there are many agencies and organizations that must learn to work together for the benefit of the city as a whole. In Baltimore, these groups come together through local emergency planning committee meetings, trainings, exercises, special events, and other interagency preparedness efforts.
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