Article Out Loud

The 2012 NPR assessment of the nation’s “Public Health and Medical Services” capabilities was encouraging, but there were concerns. Where do these capabilities and concerns stand today?

When a disaster strikes, responders face scenarios that deviate from normal routines, protocols, and resources. This newly proposed sufficiency testing and training guidance for disaster responders aims to prepare professionals mentally for these worst-case scenarios.

No single communication solution can apply to every situation. To better prepare the next generation of public safety professionals, one professor is challenging young adults to develop social media messaging that reaches diverse populations and encourages action to protect lives and property during emergencies.

Whether responding to mass casualties from a nuclear blast or an attack by a single “Lone Wolf” shooter, hospital preparedness requires careful planning, effective coordination, and collaboration in the sharing of critical resources. Inter-hospital cooperation and training will almost always result in a better outcome than would be possible through

“Emergency management” is a term broadly defining a field that includes federal, state, and local government agencies, voluntary organizations active in disasters, and private sector stakeholders that conduct a variety of activities to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from incidents.

Common terms like “Tornado Alley” should not get in the way of planning for evolving environmental threats. Meteorologists look at trends and recognize that tornadoes are one natural hazard that is shifting eastward. Make sure state and local hazard mitigation plans are updated and ready for this shift.