Sign up for Updates!

PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES

The Friendly Neighborhood Chemical Weapons Store

It doesn’t take much money, time, or a genius IQ to build a clumsy but extremely effective chemical weapon that could kill thousands of people. But a pickup truck would be needed to haul “the makings” from the local warehouse or agricultural combine.

Bioterrorism Exercise: A Taste of the Real Thing

Food poisoning – whether intentional or accidental – can have lethal consequences. In either case, it is CDC’s job to find out what caused it, what treatments are recommended, and how it can be contained.

Is Al Qaeda Seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction

Some pundits and some politicians seem to think the war on terror is over, or almost over. But new evidence suggests that it is not, and will not be, over until the terrorists say it’s over – and that day may still be a long way off.

Incident Management Teams: A Blueprint for Success

Some time ago the nation’s firefighting community recognized the need for an efficient and effective method of managing wildland incidents that involve thousands of response personnel and cover hundreds of square miles. The result was a concept of a team, rather than a single incident commander (IC), that by working

Mergers, Volunteerism, and Cost Considerations

Cut costs the easy way – by merging agencies, using more volunteers, and reducing services. The only problem is that agency employees might be unhappy, taxpayers might revolt, and elected officials might soon be looking for new jobs.

New Focus on Private-Sector Preparedness Standards

At last! A Federal Register notice asks the nation’s business community to comment on ideas that have been submitted to upgrade the disaster-preparedness capabilities of the U.S. private sector. Read, heed, and proceed – but do it fast.The nation’s private-sector businesses – a generic term that includes not only manufacturers,

Surge Prerequisites: Plans, Practices, Preparations

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are aware that surge capabilities have become increasingly important in dealing with mass-casualty incidents. But few really understand that many meanings are encompassed in that one word.

Situational Awareness the Key: Deterring Pirate Attacks Against Merchant Ships

Pirates have been sailing the seas of the world from time immemorial. What some historians call the ā€œgolden ageā€ of piracy started in the 16th century and continued into the 18th century. Perhaps the most successful and best known of the pirate crews during that period were the Barbary Corsairs,

No Time to Cut Back on Safety – The Cost Is Too High

Companies throughout the United States are trying to cut expenses any way they can: by layoffs, by plant closures, even by reductions in safety programs – which, it says here, are not only the most unkindest but also the most foolish cuts of all.

How the NDMS Can Be Made More Effective

The Spirit of Volunteerism is a noble virtue, and has been embraced by millions of Americans. Many of them volunteer once too often, though, creating a difficult dilemma for NDMS and other agencies that have a joint claim on their skills and services.

Cold Calculations and the Search for Inner Warmth

A timely and temperate reminder that cold weather may be and is uncomfortable, but extremely cold weather can kill. Among those in the greatest danger, surprisingly enough, are EMS staff and other responders.

TWITTER

Follow Us

Get Instant Access

Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.

Translate Ā»