The Global Positioning System is an integral part of the U.S. critical infrastructure. However, its importance may not be realized until the system fails. It is important to examine the good and the bad of satellite navigation and timing when discussing: current systems, vulnerabilities, satellite signals, cost, implementation, and government efforts.
When President John F. Kennedy announced that Soviet ships were transporting nuclear weapons and
ballistic missiles to Cuba, U.S. citizens prepared to “duck and cover” as they had been taught in grade
school. Individuals and families were more self-reliant in the 1960s than today. With greater reliance
on electricity, all Americans are now even more vulnerable, especially to the electromagnetic pulse
(EMP) from a high-altitude nuclear burst.
In the nation’s capital, emergency managers identify hazards, consider location-specific elements, and implement lessons learned from past incidents in order to create a robust preparedness plan for critical infrastructures, including power and water. Efforts in neighboring jurisdictions and private sector cooperation also contribute to the regional resilience of the power grid.
This current emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch and response process has evolved significantly over the past few decades. A dispatcher records the details of a 911 call in a web-based application. That information flows through a computer terminal into an ambulance. The unit responds using directions from a global positioning system unit on the vehicle’s dash. Emergency medical technicians use a wireless tablet to complete an ambulance report. Finally, the report is uploaded to a secure cloud over a virtual private network, where hospital staff as well as EMS headquarters can access the data in real time.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness is offering a unique course that challenges individuals assembled from different disciplines and geographic areas to apply their operational knowledge in support of a hazardous materials team responding to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) incident.
A professional emergency manager is defined based on a combination of education, training, experience, and other attributes, such as: a common body of knowledge; specialized skills and abilities; adherence to standards, ethics, and a code of conduct; and determination of compliance procedures. However, the true attributes of a professional emergency manager are developed over time.”
Part 5 of 5: By implementing a national command structure, creating ongoing relationships, sharing
resources, and participating in joint exercises and trainings, Baltimore City is able to better
coordinate preparedness efforts with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions to protect communities and
critical infrastructure. A small staff can accomplish a lot when everyone works together.
Since 1998, the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama, has been offering
interdisciplinary training to emergency responders. In April 2014, the Baltimore regional incident
management team (IMT) traveled to Anniston for a pilot program developed for IMTs. Listen to Captain
Michael Pfaltzgraff of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department describe his experience at CDP.
Part 4 of 5: Baltimore City takes the whole-community approach to a regional level. By integrating
the business community into the city’s operations and planning process and working with regional
partners to plan for and respond to incidents and special events, the city is able to use these many
relationships as force multipliers.
Part 3 of 5: In any large city, there are many agencies and organizations that must learn to work
together for the benefit of the city as a whole. In Baltimore, these groups come together through local
emergency planning committee meetings, trainings, exercises, special events, and other interagency
preparedness efforts. As plans change, the key to success is adaptability.
The Global Positioning System is an integral part of the U.S. critical infrastructure. However, its importance may not be realized until the system fails. It is important to examine the good and the bad of satellite navigation and timing when discussing: current systems, vulnerabilities, satellite signals, cost, implementation, and government efforts. 
A professional emergency manager is defined based on a combination of education, training, experience, and other attributes, such as: a common body of knowledge; specialized skills and abilities; adherence to standards, ethics, and a code of conduct; and determination of compliance procedures. However, the true attributes of a professional emergency manager are developed over time.” 