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Chemical Weapons, Now the Norm

Anthony S. Mangeri, Stephen Reeves, Aaron Sean Poynton, Edward Wallace Jr. and Hamish de Bretton-Gordon March 7, 2017
The recent assassination of North Korea’s Kim Jong Nam raises questions about the VX nerve agent, which could affect emergency responders who have not been recently trained or have not come in direct contact with this deadly chemical. On Thursday, 2 March 2017, DomPrep hosted a 30-minute audio podcast with

The History & Reality of the National Guard

Aaron Sean Poynton June 17, 2015
The Maryland National Guard was recently activated to quell the riot-induced violence in Baltimore. The National Guard’s roles, responsibilities, powers, and chain of command differ significantly from other military components in that they provide military services to support overwhelmed civil authorities under the command and control of the state governor.

Military & Civilian Resources: Doing More With Less

Aaron Sean Poynton September 10, 2014
The civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, has raised questions about the transfer of Department of Defense (DOD) resources to nonmilitary law enforcement agencies. However, the answers to these questions require some background information about the DOD 1033 program and the equipment used on the streets in Saint Louis County.

The Real NCIS: An Interview With Thomas Betro

Aaron Sean Poynton February 19, 2014
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s (NCIS) former Director Thomas Betro provides insights on how to keep the U.S. homeland safe from both physical threats and cyberthreats. He shares information specific to NCIS’s responsibilities, technologies, and efforts to protect against cyber, piracy, and insider threats.

An Interview With the Honorable Paul McHale

Aaron Sean Poynton December 26, 2012
The former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. homeland defense, comments on progress made as well as gaps that still need to be filled, and recommendations for better protecting the U.S. homeland in the

An Interview with The Honorable Tom Ridge

Aaron Sean Poynton December 14, 2011
The former DHS Secretary provides his own nonpartisan insights on the current state of U.S. emergency preparedness, comments on many areas of progress – and some gaps still to be filled – and offers a number of helpful short- and long-term recommendations for the future.

Whole-Body Imaging: A Safe Alternative to the ‘Pat Down’

Aaron Sean Poynton May 4, 2011
Several myths to the contrary notwithstanding, the new WBI passenger screening booths installed at U.S. airports to improve in-flight security are not only extremely safe but also both visually and morally unobjectionable. For those not convinced, there are other options, including a quick and unobtrusive pat down – in a

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Article Out Loud – Mission Ready Packages: New Possibilities

January 15, 2025
In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter and accommodated over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Those accommodations, though, were inadequate, with limited power, plumbing, and other resources. To avoid a similar scenario, the Mission Ready Venue Initiative enables stadiums to be a resource for immediate

Article Out Loud – Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool

January 8, 2025
During a derecho in May 2024, Texas agencies contacted and conducted wellness checks on residents with disabilities or with functional and access needs. One tool facilitated the process, sharing critical information about registrants to the emergency responders and planners who needed to know. Learn about this collaborative process.

Article Out Loud – Why Public Works Needs a Seat at the Planning Table

January 8, 2025
This is an article by Greg Hoffnung, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 8, 2025. Despite their critical role in disaster response, public works agencies are not always included in the emergency planning process. Key steps can help ensure that these and other agencies can more effectively respond

Article Out Loud – Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management

December 18, 2024
This is an article by Alex Hagen and Jon Barr, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, December 18, 2024. Recent research into the relationship between AI and emergency management uncovered an environment prepared for AI-based solutions. While AI must overcome some infrastructure hurdles, technologies to prevent, mitigate, and recover

ARTICLE OUT LOUD – Introducing AI to the Emergency Management Workforce: A Case Study

December 18, 2024
This is an article by Lenora G. Borchardt, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, December 18, 2024. AI can contribute to professional competency and learners’ success while efficiently training emergency management professionals and managing the bottom line. Learn how AI can create competency and outcomes-based learning tailored to each

ARTICLE OUT LOUD – Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Weaponized Drones

December 4, 2024
Electricity substations are traditionally only protected by chain-link fences and signage warning of the dangers of high voltage. However, this still leaves property vulnerable, especially to weaponized drones attacking from above, a mode of terrorism being used more extensively across the world and at home. Learn about the vulnerability of
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Domestic Preparedness

2883 Highway 71 E
P.O. Box 285
Del Valle, TX 78617-9998

Editorial Statement

Founded in 1998, Domestic Preparedness continues to be a pioneering thought leader in the emergency preparedness, response, and recovery space. The multidisciplinary editorial focus helps professionals acquire critical information to develop collaborative, real-world solutions. With relevant, multidisciplinary, whole-community intelligence from the front lines, practitioners can learn from diverse perspectives. The authoritative, practitioner-centered, multimedia information platform disseminates intelligence the way busy management-level public- and private-sector professionals want to learn. This is the trusted source for content written by practitioners, for practitioners, with relevant, real-world best practices.

DomesticPreparedness.com, the Domestic Preparedness Journal and the Weekly Brief include facts, views, opinions, and recommendations of individuals and organizations deemed of interest. The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M University System do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of, or otherwise endorse, these views, facts, opinions or recommendations.
©2025 Texas Division of Emergency Management

Domestic Preparedness

2883 Highway 71E

P.O. Box 285

Del Valle, TX 78617-9998

Editorial Statement

Founded in 1998, Domestic Preparedness continues to be a pioneering thought leader in the emergency preparedness, response, and recovery space. The multidisciplinary editorial focus helps professionals acquire critical information to develop collaborative, real-world solutions. With relevant, multidisciplinary, whole-community intelligence from the front lines, practitioners can learn from diverse perspectives. The authoritative, practitioner-centered, multimedia information platform disseminates intelligence the way busy management-level public- and private-sector professionals want to learn. This is the trusted source for content written by practitioners, for practitioners, with relevant, real-world best practices.

DomesticPreparedness.com, the Domestic Preparedness Journal and the Weekly Brief include facts, views, opinions, and recommendations of individuals and organizations deemed of interest. The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M University System do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of, or otherwise endorse, these views, facts, opinions or recommendations.
©2025 Texas Division of Emergency Management
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