COMMUNICATION & INTEROPERABILITY ARCHIVES
Football, Golf & an Integrated Public Safety Information Network
Janusz Wasiolek
May 27, 2015
Managing one large-scale special event can be a public safety challenge for any jurisdiction. However, when multiple events and hundreds of thousands of people converge in one area, communications between public safety officials is critical. Using the Homeland Security Information Network, officials in the greater Phoenix area kept the lines
Bridging the Public-Private Sector Divide
Catherine L. Feinman
May 27, 2015
At the April 2015 Ready Chesapeake meeting, members of this nonprofit group discussed ways to build business continuity within Annapolis-area communities and created a survey to reach out to other jurisdictions for suggestions. Practitioners (149 public sector, 80 private sector) from 47 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Canada, and Martinique shared
What the Future Holds for Communications Interoperability
Steve Cohan
May 13, 2015
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 put a spotlight on the gaps that existed and, in many jurisdictions, still exist between public safety agencies. Although most preparedness professionals would agree that it is critical to have interoperable communications, there are factors that hinder achievement of this goal. With careful consideration, agencies
Gyrocopters & Other Rapidly Developing Threats
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
May 12, 2015
On 15 April 2015, a 61-year-old mailman from Florida breached restricted airspace over the nation’s capital and landed a gyrocopter on the West lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Although this event did not involve explosives or other hazardous materials, the next incident may not be benign. Communication gaps must
Critical Elements for Creating a Dialogue
Charles L. Werner
May 6, 2015
Accessing and sharing information between various agencies and organizations may be challenging, but are necessary for developing effective situational and operational awareness. The National Information Sharing Consortium (NISC) formalized an approach for such interagency communication. By operationalizing these capabilities, NISC creates dialogue and closes communication gaps.
Disaster Preparedness & Response Require Having Faith
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
April 15, 2015
With people regularly attending services each week at faith-based organizations around the world, these organizations must have plans in place to provide safe egress of large crowds of attendees from their buildings on a regular basis. Much can be learned from and implemented into such organizations to provide greater community
The Public Health Response Solution (or at Least a Bridge)
Greg Burel
April 14, 2015
Once a public health outbreak occurs, it is too late to prepare. In 2014, Ebola highlighted gaps in the nation’s preparedness for an unexpected viral threat that gained worldwide attention. Having supplies on hand or knowing how and where to get them when needed is the best way to protect
Collaboration’s Real-World Challenges
Sarah Tidman
April 7, 2015
A superstorm, a Navy yard shooting, and a major transit incident are just three examples where a breakdown in communications, incomplete common operating picture, ineffective coordination, and/or lack of situational awareness negatively affected response efforts. Multiagency collaboration and real-time, critical information are needed in both life-threatening and nonemergency situations.
People With Disabilities – Laws, Plans & Partnerships
Kendall A. Leser
April 1, 2015
As testimony continues in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing case, memories of that day are still fresh in many people’s minds – especially for the 16 people who lost limbs on that tragic day. By law, every jurisdiction must have plans and partnerships in place to ensure that those
Financial Planning for the Next Ebola Threat
Chris Mangal
March 14, 2015
Public health and healthcare funding is a priority during a disease outbreak such as Ebola. However, when ongoing funding is unavailable, government agencies must scramble to find ways to support public health response efforts. Three funding opportunities may help address these current gaps and avoid disease-specific funding for response efforts
How to Make a ‘Smart’ Phone ‘Undumb’ in a Disaster
Anjila Lebsock
February 4, 2015
According to a January 2014 Pew Research Center report, 58 percent of adults surveyed in the United States use smartphones. With a growing dependence on these devices, it is important to educate the public on how they can prepare for times when cellular service is not available. During a disaster,
Long-Term Community Recovery Planning Guidance
Kay C. Goss
January 28, 2015
Preparedness planning is a large part of the foundation of emergency management. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Report summarizes the building, sustaining, and delivering of the 31 core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal across all five mission areas identified in Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8):
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