FIRE ARCHIVES
Historical Argument for Hardening Facilities
Michael E. Gray
March 14, 2018
Peopleās lives were changed forever on Tuesday, 11 September 2001. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, airport security was primarily focused on threats from guns and explosives. There was little worry about knives or sharp instruments. Even when detected at checkpoints, they were not often considered dangerous. Closing this
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 theĀ DomPrep JournalĀ shares experiences and lessons learned from those who have firsthand accounts of these events and
Passenger Egress ā A Priority for Metro Rail Lines
Thomas Renner
February 21, 2018
Underground rail transit systems in the United States can be dangerous places. Not only for their riders and employees, but also for emergency responders, who may be called to help evacuate people from the area safely or to stop a blaze. The confined spaces, tight stairwells, and potential for the
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
Making Schools Safe & Secure ā A Local to National Effort
Mary Filardo
January 31, 2018
This article explores the meaning of safe and secure schools, shows where current schools are falling short, and offers policy prescriptions, pointing to the pending federal infrastructure package as a unique opportunity to make an important down payment to secure a safer and better future for the nationās students.Each day,
Animal Relocation After Disaster ā Four Cases in 2017
Richard Green
January 31, 2018
Between late August and the end of 2017, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) deployed to six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to four disasters: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the wildfires in Northern California. In all, the ASPCA assisted nearly
Incident Scale & the Need for Operational Resilience
John Contestabile and Richard Waddell
January 24, 2018
Numerous incidents occur every day in the United States, from simple/frequent events like automobile accidents, train derailments, and severe weather, to catastrophic/infrequent events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the Keystone pipeline leak to name just a few. By examining factors related to the incident and
U Visas ā A Hidden Homeland Security Vulnerability
Robert C. Hutchinson
January 10, 2018
Immigration continues to be a relevant yet sensitive topic of discussion. Some of the most concerning immigration issues may be the ones that are more complex and not well understood by lawmakers, law enforcement, or the public. This complexity increases opportunities for abuse of an important immigration process, which then
ARTful Leadership & Disaster Management
Eric J. McNulty
December 27, 2017
Disaster preparedness and response professionals had a front-row seat for the turbulence in 2017. A historic hurricane season left first responders and the communities they serve struggling to keep up. Fires continue to ravage the west. Active shooter and terrorism incidents keep everyone on edge. Infectious disease outbreaks remain a
Remember the Past, While Imagining the Future
Catherine L. Feinman
December 5, 2017
The imaginations of television and filmmakers are often used to create futuristic worlds, with technologies that can be used as tools or as threats. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are one such technology that is now off the screen and often seen in the sky. Like āThe Jetsonsā of the early
Biothreats ā Advocating Action Through Transition
Robert C. Hutchinson
November 29, 2017
On 15 November 2016, the Presidentās Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a letter report to the president on āAction Needed to Protect Against Biological Attack.ā PCAST urged the president for immediate action to ensure that the nation has the ability to meet these challenges with near-,
Protecting the Homeland From Nefarious Drone Use
Richard Schoeberl and Kendall J. Smith
November 22, 2017
The 2016 Legislative Session of the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 147 requiring the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to establish minimum standards and approve best practices no later than 1 July 2017 for a school emergency response system. The new guidelines are helping to improve school
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