Transportation Archives

Critical Incident Stress Management & Peer Support

Tania Glenn May 21, 2014

In the aftermath of 9/11, aviation and other transportation incidents have become the focus of much national and international attention. Commercial aviation incidents like U.S. Airways Flight 1549 making an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 making a crash landing onto the

Airport Security – Beyond the Perimeter

Andrew Saxton May 21, 2014

Although the primary objective of a security system is to prevent crimes, some technologies provide limited information only after a security breach occurs. Information gaps can occur when detection and identification are limited to a specific moment in time. The solution is a layered approach using radar, thermal imaging, and

Mexican & U.S. Aviation Security

Clay W. Biles May 21, 2014

The airport security environment, especially in the United States, has changed significantly since 9/11. Technological advances have helped raise the standards at security checkpoints around the world, but technology is not infallible. Maintaining a high standard of security requires a balance between technology and human intelligence.

The Team Spirit of Emergency Management

Stephen Grainer May 17, 2014

In the area of emergency management, teams and organizations strive to mitigate the outcome of any potential or actual emergency. Such intervention, though, requires trust in team members to perform their tasks when needed. As with any successful football team or racecar pit crew, emergency managers also must devote the

Securing Airports – Both Inside & Outside

Richard Schoeberl May 14, 2014

Deficiencies in the current U.S. security efforts at airports have raised various concerns. Examining past breaches in security and defining the roles of law enforcement agencies are critical security steps. However, passengers also must be prepared to sacrifice some level of convenience to ensure safer and more secure airports and

Maryland – A State of Good Repair

Bernadette Bridges May 14, 2014

The condition of the nation’s transit infrastructure is a challenging issue that requires much attention. To address the safety and security concerns, safety professionals are taking a more active role during the plan, design, and build phases of modern transit systems and vehicles. Maryland is one state that is making

Specialized Training for Rail Incidents

James Metzger May 7, 2014

First responder agencies must prepare for a variety of incidents that may occur within or near their jurisdictions. Even when an incident involving the movement of large numbers of people – for example, passenger rail transit – does not result in a mass-casualty scenario, many special considerations must be made

Preparing for the Unthinkable

Catherine L. Feinman April 30, 2014

An article, a flash poll, and a podcast each addressed the same topic: Is the United States prepared for a nuclear detonation? Each came to the same conclusion, “No, not as prepared as it needs to be.” The threat of a nuclear attack did not disappear with the Cold War,

Illinois – Lessons From a Radiological Incident Exercise

Shay Simmons and Curtis Hawk April 23, 2014

When a radiological incident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. However, the frequency and probability of such incidents limit many jurisdictions from being fully prepared and trained. Illinois officials understand the threat and conduct annual exercises to ensure that jurisdictions in and around its nuclear facilities are ready for their

The Emerging Nuclear Threat Environment

Vayl S. Oxford April 16, 2014

The changing conditions in the Middle East and North Africa, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, and the impact of Iran’s nuclear program each have serious national security implications. To mitigate the emerging nuclear threat, agencies at all levels of government should perform five critical actions.

The ‘Dirty’ Details About Explosive Devices

Courtney Gavitt April 16, 2014

The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings caused confusion, frustration, and anger when race marshals abruptly ended the event. The consequences, though, could have been much greater had the initial reports been true. Knowing what makes a dirty bomb “dirty” is the first step to ensure the health and safety of all

The ‘Day After Disaster,’ Revisited

Craig DeAtley April 8, 2014

In the first 72 hours following a nuclear blast, survivors would face many challenges – communication, evacuation, sheltering, response, and incident command. Scenario 1 (Nuclear Detonation – Improvised Nuclear Device) of the National Response Framework was depicted in the History Channel’s “Day After Disaster” in 2009. Five years later, is

TWITTER

Get Instant Access

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

Sign up for Updates!