When planning for its annual forecast issue, DomPrep reached out to subject matter experts in all
preparedness disciplines to share which solutions they believe have significant potential to improve
preparedness (readiness and resilience) over the next five years. In 200 words or less, more than 50
readers answered the call.
The “”us versus them”” mentality that has surfaced in recent news reports – in Ferguson, Missouri, New York City, and other U.S. communities – arises from the human relations divide between citizens and law enforcement officers. A simple solution exists, but it requires both “”us”” and “”them”” to redefine the social construction within communities.
As Ebola traveled across borders to countries not previously affected, the need for comprehensive preparedness plans became obvious. However, such cases are not simply public health threats, but whole-community incidents. As such, emergency managers must
assess emerging infectious disease threats and prepare to manage a multiagency response to these slow onset disasters.
By identifying technology gaps as well as trends in detection needs and capabilities, manufacturers are creating new mass spectrometry tools that are smaller, easier to use, and more accurate for trace-level detection and identification. In 2015, first responders, civil support teams, and military personnel may be able to fill gaps left by their current equipment.
As hospitals fill with patients and the cost of medical care rises, the use of community paramedicine also may increase. To fill the gap between routine doctor visits and emergency transport to hospitals, communities have the opportunity to expand the use of highly trained paramedics to better serve their populations’s urgent-care needs.
When the electric power infrastructure fails, it affects much more than just the electronic equipment that is powered by it. A lesson from Superstorm Sandy demonstrates how managing ground support, supplies, and facilities may differ when electrical power is gone. It may even require hundreds (or thousands) of orange traffic cones to maintain operations.
Loss of the electric power grid could cause cascading effects following a major disaster. By working and planning together, individuals and communities will be better prepared and more resilient when faced with any disaster. As communities plan for major disasters, they also will be better prepared for not-so-major incidents.
There are immediate and long-term steps – planning, triaging, and shielding – that any organization can take to mitigate disasters related to electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Understanding how EMP works, benefits and types of protective actions, as well as standards and ratings will help simplify the process of protecting civilian critical infrastructure.
As businesses and residents examine alternative energy sources in light of long-term power outage threats, some important features must be considered. Ensuring that a system is able to operate off grid requires that it operate completely independently, have a manual or automatic transfer switch installed, and include either on-site energy storage assets or a fuel-consuming generator.
Government officials in Maine are taking steps to protect the electric grid from severe geomagnetic disturbances and manmade electromagnetic pulse weapons. However, ensuring that state agencies and electric utilities work together toward a common goal can be a challenge. The final task force report on emergency legislation passed on 11 June 2013 is expected later this month.
When planning for its annual forecast issue, DomPrep reached out to subject matter experts in all
preparedness disciplines to share which solutions they believe have significant potential to improve
preparedness (readiness and resilience) over the next five years. In 200 words or less, more than 50
readers answered the call. 
As hospitals fill with patients and the cost of medical care rises, the use of community paramedicine also may increase. To fill the gap between routine doctor visits and emergency transport to hospitals, communities have the opportunity to expand the use of highly trained paramedics to better serve their populations’s urgent-care needs. 