Man-Caused Incidents – New Challenges & Systems

“Man-caused incidents” – the politically correct term used to describe terrorist attacks – have increased in frequency and severity in recent years and are likely to continue to do so far into the future. Which is one of many good reasons why U.S. emergency managers are focusing more attention on the so-called “I&I” (Intelligence & Investigations) Function.

Manmade Disasters: The Need for Interoperable Communications

The mounting of a successful response to a major disaster requires the combined skills of firefighters, emergency managers, policemen, and other experienced professionals. It helps considerably, though, if they can talk to one another – ask anyone who lived through the London subway bombings, the Rhode Island nightclub fire, or the NIU campus shootings.

Before Disaster Strikes: Five Preparedness Measures Every Community Should Know

This common-sense Viewpoint analysis takes a close look at how most U.S. communities prepare, both economically and operationally, for sudden disasters. Five quick answers: 1. Many, perhaps most, do not. 2. Those that do, do not do it very well. 3. Outside help is usually needed. 4. Ahead of time. 5. Obtaining such help later is much more expen$$$ive.

NLE 2011: Successful Learning, Plus Partnership Building

Question: What do Boston’s church bells and the Mississippi River have in common? Answer: Both survived the greatest earthquake in U.S. history (the San Francisco quake pales in comparison). The 200th anniversary of the New Madrid disaster was remembered, appropriately, earlier this year by FEMA, NEMA, CUSEC and an estimated three million “guests.”

The New PLAN: Government Alerts Enter the 21st Century

The old saying that, “No matter where you go, there you are,” has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news.

45 Seconds of Danger, a Lifetime of Lessons

The EF5 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, during the evening of 22 May 2011 was among the deadliest in U.S. history. More than 140 persons died, over 1,000 were injured,

The Public Health Role During Mass-Fatality Incidents

Many major disasters start without warning, continue for periods ranging from mere seconds to weeks or months, and leave behind a chaotic mass of useless rubble and ruined lives. The work of public health agencies necessarily starts well before the first tremor, continues through the entire response/recovery/resilience process, and ends – well, never.

FINAL REPORT: CBRN – BioSurveillance Programs

Experts are in agreement that an effective biosurveillance program is needed to protect the nation’s health, farm animals, agriculture and agricultural products of all types, and food supply. This report provides valuable information for responders, receivers, planners, and managers – and the American people at large.

Antidotes: The Care and Cure for ‘What Ails You’

The twin goals – total security, and immediate accessibility – prescribed for the perfect medical antidote program are not only mutually exclusive but also theoretically impossible to achieve. Almost. But there are some effective compromise measures that can bridge the differences, lower the loss rate, and significantly improve on-scene operational needs at the same time.

Changing Trends in Maritime Piracy: A New & Major Threat

The plots and successes of recent “pirate” movies notwithstanding, the real, totally ruthless, and well armed pirates of the 21st century must be recognized for what they really are: thieves, cutthroats, and murderers – who are now working with terrorist groups. That evil coalition must be confronted fully, fearlessly, and effectively by the world’s maritime powers in a total-war conflict at sea unlike any other in recorded history.
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