The terms critical infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience are common in the preparedness
fields, but these concepts are not consistent across disciplines. To test novel ideas, develop program
consistency, and establish a long-term effort, some issues must be addressed: separate fields vs.
crosscutting concepts; entry-level vs. advanced topics; and “bodies of knowledge.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has continued to use its legacy early warning system for
biological threats as it continues to weigh costs against effectiveness in its search for better
technological solutions. In the meantime, “big data” and social media analytics offer incremental steps
toward better biodetection and response.
A topic that often bridges various disciplines and jurisdictions – and sometimes is overlooked in
the “big picture” – is security related to environmental health. To address questions surrounding this
topic, DomPrep asked readers how they define environmental health and where it fits within the national
and international security arena.
“Unexpected” threats may not be so unexpected, but rather foreseen threats that were not taken seriously. Anthrax, plague, and smallpox were ongoing concerns even before the recent incidents that occurred on U.S. soil. However, local jurisdictions must plan for and be operationally prepared for such no-notice biological incidents.
Article Out Loud Residents of nursing and assisted living homes are subject to many risks, including fires. Residents tend to be more physically and cognitively impaired, which puts them at […]
In January 2014, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events released a white paper listing seven recommendations to enhance the sustainability of preparedness efforts in the United States. The IOM paper reflects on relevant past accomplishments, the current state of public health preparedness, and future public health requirements to stay viable, sustainable, and effective.
The unfortunate truth is – no matter how well prepared a jurisdiction is, no matter how well equipped and staffed, and no matter how good emergency plans are – bad things happen. Unlike most planning efforts, the goal of mass fatality planning is not to save lives, but rather to reunite decedents with their loved ones. These secondary victims are at the heart of such planning, which includes understanding the procedure for processing human remains – staging, decontamination, storage, examination,entification, and release – following a mass fatality incident.
The natural and built environments affect personal and population health, but the effects are often
only visible over time. Countering the threat of harmful substances and organisms in food, water, air,
and soil requires a multidiscipline approach. Determining where environmental health and security fits
alongside public health strategy and homeland security will help the nation better prevent, mitigate,
and respond to such threats.
An article, a flash poll, and a podcast each addressed the same question: Where does the nation
stand on preparedness for biological threats? As the world watches to see how West Africa manages the
latest Ebola outbreak, public health officials must continue to train, educate, staff, and fund their
forces to be ready when they too must face a major biological threat.
Adequate defense for a bioterrorism attack requires fortification of the public health infrastructure as well as the establishment and continuance of a good healthcare system. With the potential to spread rapidly with and between communities, bioagents as weapons pose a significant threat to U.S. communities that require greater attention on a national scale.
The terms critical infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience are common in the preparedness
fields, but these concepts are not consistent across disciplines. To test novel ideas, develop program
consistency, and establish a long-term effort, some issues must be addressed: separate fields vs.
crosscutting concepts; entry-level vs. advanced topics; and “bodies of knowledge.” 