Law Enforcement Archives

CBRN FUNDING: Going Backwards Is Not Smart

Stephen Reeves March 28, 2012

The huge budget problems now facing the nation are on a collision course with the rapidly escalating possibility of new CBRN incidents and events that could devastate entire communities. A distinguished former Department of Defense program official puts the dilemma into context and provides several useful guidelines to follow.

Libya’s Missing Chemical Caches: The Weapons of Armageddon?

Richard Schoeberl March 27, 2012

There are several “known” unknowns – namely, how to develop, produce, and deploy chemical and biological weapons that are more toxic than ever before possible. There also are some “unknown” unknowns, the most important of which is this: Where are the tons of chemical weapons that disappeared from Libya’s reported

Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) Roundtable

W. Ross Ashley March 27, 2012

In the 21st century, combatting terrorism could be as simple as seeing something and saying something. Suspicious activity may signify terrorist activity, but that can only be determined if the right information gets into the right hands. Listen to W. Ross Ashley’s audio roundtable discussion on the Nationwide Suspicious Activity

Narrowing the Search for the Best Detection Devices

Thomas Norstrand March 21, 2012

Even the best trained and most highly motivated responders can be no better than their equipment. This means that the search for and purchase of the best equipment available must always be a top priority for senior management with critical decision-making responsibilities.

Equipment Standardization – A New-Old Approach

Jordan Nelms March 21, 2012

The so-called “standardization” of equipment is intended to lower costs, simplify procurement decisions, and also improve training and operational capabilities – theoretically, at least. When the standards previously approved are not followed, though, or are simply ignored, new and complex difficulties follow in short order. When those difficulties complicate CBRNE

HELP: A New Approach to Volunteer Management

Tony Lamberth March 14, 2012

From the Pre-Colonial Era to the present, America has been a nation of volunteers. The tradition of neighbors helping neighbors is probably more important today, though, than ever before. The cost of dealing with a “relatively minor” CBRNE incident is prohibitively expensive, and it is likely to be years before,

Advances in Medical Countermeasures for Chemical Terrorism

Bruce Clements March 13, 2012

With the potential to kill thousands in a single attack, chemical warfare agents have been an ongoing threat to nations around the world since World War I. Although efforts have been made to reduce the production and stockpiling of these deadly chemicals, there remains a need not only to stockpile

Hospital Preparedness for ‘Chemical/Detergent’ Suicides

Craig DeAtley March 7, 2012

The Hospital Accreditation Standards established by The Joint Commission, and followed by almost all of the nation’s healthcare facilities, mandate that U.S. hospitals should be prepared to decontaminate patients who have been exposed to hazardous materials. However, although thousands of incidents involving hazardous materials occur annually in the United

Needed: ‘Off-the-Shelf’ Solutions for CBRN Protection

James Wilcox March 7, 2012

Ready to Wear – When There Is No Time to Spare! That is, or should be, the slogan of the far-sighted and foresighted PPE clothing and equipment manufacturers who recognize that there is absolutely no time that can be wasted when a CBRN incident occurs and that first responders must

Emergency Responses to CDLs: The Hidden Dangers

Christina Spoons February 29, 2012

Meth labs are another clear and present danger not only to individual users and the nation as a whole, but also to the lab workers, innocent “civilians” living in the same neighborhood, and – most of all, perhaps – firefighters and other first responders who are risking their own lives

FINAL REPORT: Information Sharing Across Emergency Management Disciplines

Joseph W. Trindal February 23, 2012

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, great strides have been made to share information across disciplines, but gaps still remain. Timely, actionable information is needed to effectively protect against and respond to future attacks. This report discusses a multi-discipline, “need-to-share” approach, which includes sharing information within and between communities.

Addiction in Emergency Services: Coworkers Help, Denial Hurts

Victor Welzant February 22, 2012

Major stress and constant pressure are all part of the job for emergency-services personnel and other responders. A less obvious but greater danger is caused by drug and alcohol addictions. Professional help is available, but not always wanted. What is most needed, and in the long term most effective, is

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