Emergency Management Archives

Turning Five Crisis Leader Pitfalls Into Opportunities

Domestic Preparedness May 2, 2018

Crises are among the most daunting challenges for leaders. The very nature of true crises – complex, high-consequence events that threaten physical, emotional, economic, and/or reputational health – test a leader’s ability to discern what is happening and what is to be done. The word “crisis” derives from the Greek

In Search of Infrastructure-Proof Emergency Alerts

Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso April 18, 2018

The increased reliance on emergency text alerts to receive warnings of natural or manmade disasters is a capability that most people have come to expect. Listening to broadcast radio warnings of severe weather happening miles away has transformed into more precise, geo-located alerts that target specific locations. The benefits of

Improving Local Health Department Cybersecurity

Justin Snair April 11, 2018

Cyberattacks against local governments are becoming a new normal, yet the nation is not doing enough to prepare local health departments (LHDs) from such attacks. More than just a technological issue addressed by information technology (IT) professionals, cyberattacks can threaten lives and result in losses of integrity, availability, confidentiality, and

Five Steps Toward Enhancing Climate Resilience

Emily Wasley April 4, 2018

People, communities, businesses, and governments around the world are already experiencing the devastating human, economic, and environmental consequences of a changing climate. Many have been impacted by “acute climate shocks” such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and severe winter storms – resulting in the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

The Key to Saving Lives in CBRNE Events

Bobby Baker Jr. March 28, 2018

In January 2018, in New York City, a group of professionals – representing entities including the Department of Homeland Security, private contractors, hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (hazmat/WMD), law enforcement officers, and intelligence experts – gathered to discuss the emerging threats to U.S. passenger rail service. Not only are these

Emerging Threats to Rail Infrastructure: Part II, Passenger

Catherine L. Feinman March 28, 2018

With millions of passengers travelling each day by rail and subway in the United States alone, the passenger rail industry and the communities they serve are faced with difficult safety and security challenges – from equipment failures to terrorist attacks. A whole community approach is needed to address these

Roles in Disaster – Completing the Chain

Catherine L. Feinman March 28, 2018

A passenger train derails in an urban community. Whether caused by intentional or unintentional factors, this incident would have consequences that go well beyond the rail company and the passengers traveling in these fated rail cars. Surrounding companies and communities would be affected, hazardous materials may be a threat, critical

User Guide for Responder-Driven Technology Development

Ann Lesperance and Richard Ozanich March 7, 2018

With new technology coming to market at a record pace, it can be difficult to know whether products are reliable, durable, and secure enough to make the nation’s emergency management professionals safer, better connected, and fully aware. The market is flooded with tools and capabilities that may be of benefit

Setting Examples for Disaster Preparedness

Catherine L. Feinman February 28, 2018

From coast to coast, communities across the United States are implementing solutions to address gaps that could hinder response efforts should a disaster occur. From special events to widespread natural disasters, this edition of the DomPrep Journal shares experiences and lessons learned from those who have firsthand accounts of these events and

Tribal Ham Radio Operators Cut Through the Storm

National Tribal Amateur Radio Association February 24, 2018

In September 2017, the National Tribal Amateur Radio Association (NTARA) – in conjunction with the Fresno Amateur Radio Emergency Services Group and Tulare County Amateur Radio Club – set up and operated Amateur Radio Special Event Station W7NTV during the National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC) annual conference. Held at

Evolving Needs: Interoperable Communications

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group February 21, 2018

During complex and large-scale incidents, first responders in the multi-jurisdictional National Capital Region (NCR) must be able to deploy and integrate with other public safety agencies in a timely and efficient manner. The NCR, for the purposes of this document, is defined as the District of Columbia and surrounding Virginia

2017 Inauguration & Women’s March – Planning & Outcomes

Natalie Jones-Best February 14, 2018

Washington, D.C., hosts thousands of special events each year, ranging in size and complexity. For such events, the District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) serves as the lead agency for transportation management and support. Although many of these events are planned activities for which the district and its local,

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