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albuterol

Perfect Storm: Albuterol Shortage & Supply Chain Upset

As of 2020, albuterol was the seventh most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S., with more than an estimated 17 million patients receiving it and nearly 62 million prescriptions issued annually. Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator drug that helps treat or prevent respiratory issues by relaxing the smooth muscles in
Read More »

Planning for Future Events Requires Updated Plans

Threats, hazards, and risks change over time as numerous variables change. This means preparedness professionals must be forward-thinking when planning for emergencies and disasters. Past events can teach valuable lessons for the future, and sometimes those lessons include adapting old plans to meet new or emerging challenges. The authors in
Read More »

Eclipses Again Will Darken the Sky in 2023 and 2024

An eclipse is not just about the sky getting dark. There are many considerations for emergency planners and public safety professionals to ensure the safety of their communities. Learn the lessons from the 2017 eclipse to better prepare for the next event.
Read More »
covenant-shooting

Covenant School – Reviewing Another Tragic Shooting

The Covenant School shooting is another reminder of active shooter trends. This article reviews the chain of events from that tragic event, post-incident reviews, and what communities are and should be doing to prepare for and prevent future active shooter incidents.
Read More »
labor trafficking

Labor Trafficking – An Underreported Escalating Crisis

Labor trafficking affects many more people in the U.S. than sex trafficking, but it gets much less attention. Learn what the government is doing and what else community stakeholders can do now to better protect people from this growing threat.
Read More »
region-6

The DoD Defense Coordinating Element and How It Is Certified

Besides the main mission of defending the homeland, Department of Defense capabilities also provide critical support to local, state, and federal civilian partners during major disasters. Learn how Army North’s defense coordinating element’s mission and composition ready their units to perform this additional mission when needed.
Read More »
biosafety

Biosafety Laboratory Issues and Failures

Concerns regarding unexpected biological incidents and their public health implications were discussed in a 2014 Domestic Preparedness biosecurity and bioterrorism article. From the improper possession and storage of decades-old live smallpox virus in a former Food and Drug Administration laboratory (lab) on the National Institute of Health (NIH) campus to
Read More »
hazmat-railroad

Hazmat on the Rail

Since February 3, 2023, following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the public has closely followed reports and commentary by media outlets and elected officials. This incident has become more controversial and publicized than others in recent years and has caused a public outcry for change.
Read More »
Emergency Management lesson

Preparing the Next Generation for Increasing Disasters

Preparing the next generation of emergency preparedness and response professionals requires educational programs that teach critical thinking and life-saving strategies. Many programs and resources address these needs, but more educational and collaborative opportunities should be considered to meet the growing needs.
Read More »

Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool

Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, critical information and data can sometimes be misused, not effectively leveraged, not shared, or simply ignored. In these scenarios, it is more difficult to
Read More »

Guidance for Preparing Professionals Mentally for the Worst

  Professional groups have debated and researched the best practices relating to the standards and quality of care sufficient to maintain minimum standards during a disaster. Due to the fluid nature of a disaster, it is difficult to abide by a standard that will fit every situation. For example, the onset
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Labor Trafficking – The Case Study of Marco

Countless immigrants like Marco do not self-identify as labor trafficking victims, yet this increasing crime needs to be addressed. Learn how communities can better protect these vulnerable populations.
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albuterol

Perfect Storm: Albuterol Shortage & Supply Chain Upset

As of 2020, albuterol was the seventh most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S., with more than an estimated 17 million patients receiving it and nearly 62 million prescriptions issued annually. Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator drug that helps treat or prevent respiratory issues by relaxing the smooth muscles in
Read More »

Planning for Future Events Requires Updated Plans

Threats, hazards, and risks change over time as numerous variables change. This means preparedness professionals must be forward-thinking when planning for emergencies and disasters. Past events can teach valuable lessons for the future, and sometimes those lessons include adapting old plans to meet new or emerging challenges. The authors in
Read More »

Eclipses Again Will Darken the Sky in 2023 and 2024

An eclipse is not just about the sky getting dark. There are many considerations for emergency planners and public safety professionals to ensure the safety of their communities. Learn the lessons from the 2017 eclipse to better prepare for the next event.
Read More »
covenant-shooting

Covenant School – Reviewing Another Tragic Shooting

The Covenant School shooting is another reminder of active shooter trends. This article reviews the chain of events from that tragic event, post-incident reviews, and what communities are and should be doing to prepare for and prevent future active shooter incidents.
Read More »
labor trafficking

Labor Trafficking – An Underreported Escalating Crisis

Labor trafficking affects many more people in the U.S. than sex trafficking, but it gets much less attention. Learn what the government is doing and what else community stakeholders can do now to better protect people from this growing threat.
Read More »
region-6

The DoD Defense Coordinating Element and How It Is Certified

Besides the main mission of defending the homeland, Department of Defense capabilities also provide critical support to local, state, and federal civilian partners during major disasters. Learn how Army North’s defense coordinating element’s mission and composition ready their units to perform this additional mission when needed.
Read More »
biosafety

Biosafety Laboratory Issues and Failures

Concerns regarding unexpected biological incidents and their public health implications were discussed in a 2014 Domestic Preparedness biosecurity and bioterrorism article. From the improper possession and storage of decades-old live smallpox virus in a former Food and Drug Administration laboratory (lab) on the National Institute of Health (NIH) campus to
Read More »
hazmat-railroad

Hazmat on the Rail

Since February 3, 2023, following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the public has closely followed reports and commentary by media outlets and elected officials. This incident has become more controversial and publicized than others in recent years and has caused a public outcry for change.
Read More »
Emergency Management lesson

Preparing the Next Generation for Increasing Disasters

Preparing the next generation of emergency preparedness and response professionals requires educational programs that teach critical thinking and life-saving strategies. Many programs and resources address these needs, but more educational and collaborative opportunities should be considered to meet the growing needs.
Read More »

Information Sharing – A Powerful Life-Saving Tool

Information sharing is a valuable tool used for various purposes. However, this tool’s power in preparing for and responding to emergencies should not be underestimated. Unfortunately, critical information and data can sometimes be misused, not effectively leveraged, not shared, or simply ignored. In these scenarios, it is more difficult to
Read More »

A National Plan to Link Response and Recovery

In March 2023, FEMA published the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan. Learn about this big step forward for the emergency management community – the development and content of this new plan as well as the next steps for key stakeholders.
Read More »

Tornadoes – Adapting Plans for a Changing Environment

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.
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Leader of the Pack – Canine Detection

In the wake of a disaster, time is critical for locating survivors and recovering bodies. This type of work requires training, skills, and abilities acquired by canines due to their unique anatomy and physiology. However, there are key considerations before implementing K9 programs.
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Fostering Public Buy-In to Support Public Safety

Emergency managers often go unnoticed until a disaster occurs. However, disaster response efforts are much more effective when communities work together and trust their local responding agencies. Learn how one county has changed its mindset to develop stronger community partnerships and buy-in before the next disaster.
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An Integrated Public Safety Approach for Evolving Threats

Evolving threats require integrated public safety approaches. Concepts like the Rescue Task Force, models like the Cynefin Framework, and numerous other available resources can help communities develop collaborative response plans for evolving threats and complex coordinated attacks like fire as a weapon.
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Data Sharing – A Necessary Public Safety Tool

Criminal activities are not limited to jurisdictional boundaries, nor should the ability to share information collaboratively. Cooperative data sharing within and between jurisdictions is essential for today’s law enforcement demands. As such, law enforcement and other public safety agencies must work together to create a safer and more just society.
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Technological Strategies for Organizational Leadership

Article Out Loud Integrating information technology (IT) into emergency management and public safety agencies involves balancing technological limitations with the organizational mindset. Finding this balance has been discussed in practice, academia, and across multiple disciplines, with friction sometimes emerging between the leadership mindset, staff, data, training, and implementation. For example,
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Threat Awareness – Actions Now Mitigate Disasters Later

  Reducing or eliminating the long-term risks associated with natural, human-caused, or technological disasters begins with an awareness that specific threats exist. For example, a Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States and was shot down on February 4, 2023. The exact level of threat that it posed and the
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Protests: Balancing First Amendment Rights and Public Safety

In today’s society, peaceful protests can occasionally escalate into unlawful rioting. The behavior of those involved in a demonstration or public gathering can vary greatly. This behavior includes: Peaceful protests, actions, and speech that are lawful and protected by the Constitution; Civil disobedience, which typically involves minor criminal acts; and Rioting associated with
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Linking Resilience and Innovation for Emergency Preparedness

Most industries suggest a certain level of resilience and innovation. It is important to get through challenging times to keep a company going, and “innovate or die” has long been a mantra of the business world. While these concepts – or in some cases, buzzwords – come up in various lines of
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Trends in Political Violence and Mass Demonstrations

Article Out Loud More than 400 worldwide antigovernment protests have taken place since 2017. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), the incidents of civil unrest have doubled across the globe over the past decade. Moreover, the 2022 GPI indicates the world has become “less peaceful for the eleventh time in the
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Building Business Post-Disaster – A Florida Case Study

Opportunities can be found in the wake of great devastation. However, it can be challenging to plan for the future while restoring critical services and repairing the damage left in the crisis’s wake. Recovery plans should look beyond what existed before the disaster and include laying a foundation for regrowth
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