Most recently published
Passenger Egress ā A Priority for Metro Rail Lines
Thomas Renner
February 21, 2018
Underground rail transit systems in the United States can be dangerous places. Not only for their riders and employees, but also for emergency responders, who may be called to help evacuate people from the area safely or to stop a blaze. The confined spaces, tight stairwells, and potential for the
Evolving Needs: Interoperable Communications
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group
February 21, 2018
During complex and large-scale incidents, first responders in the multi-jurisdictional National Capital Region (NCR) must be able to deploy and integrate with other public safety agencies in a timely and efficient manner. The NCR, for the purposes of this document, is defined as the District of Columbia and surrounding Virginia
2017 Inauguration & Womenās March ā Planning & Outcomes
Natalie Jones-Best
February 14, 2018
Washington, D.C., hosts thousands of special events each year, ranging in size and complexity. For such events, the District of Columbiaās Department of Transportation (DDOT) serves as the lead agency for transportation management and support. Although many of these events are planned activities for which the district and its local,
New Emergency Rule: Challenge for Some, Good for All
David Reddick and Justin Snair
February 7, 2018
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a comprehensive emergency preparedness rule in 2016 that applies to nearly every healthcare provider in the nation, and outlines steps those providers must take to improve their preparedness and ensure sustainability in the face of a disaster. The rule compels healthcare
Animal Relocation After Disaster ā Four Cases in 2017
Richard Green
January 31, 2018
Between late August and the end of 2017, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) deployed to six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to four disasters: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the wildfires in Northern California. In all, the ASPCA assisted nearly
Incident Scale & the Need for Operational Resilience
John Contestabile and Richard Waddell
January 24, 2018
Numerous incidents occur every day in the United States, from simple/frequent events like automobile accidents, train derailments, and severe weather, to catastrophic/infrequent events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the Keystone pipeline leak to name just a few. By examining factors related to the incident and
Preparing for a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack
Deanne Criswell
January 17, 2018
Complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs) are exactly as the name implies: large-scale attacks that are multifaceted, well-planned, and often involve multiple perpetrators. These individuals are often unknown to law enforcement, making them difficult to identify during pre-operational planning activities. Because of their size and complexity, these types of attacks far
Responding to the Nuclear Threat ā Then & Now
Keith Grossman
January 17, 2018
In the civil defense era of emergency management, the federal, state, and local civil defense authorities were presented with the mission to protect the civilian population from an attack on the U.S. mainland. Shelter programs, coordinated public warning systems, emergency assistance provisions, and other protective measures were developed. Today, these
U Visas ā A Hidden Homeland Security Vulnerability
Robert C. Hutchinson
January 10, 2018
Immigration continues to be a relevant yet sensitive topic of discussion. Some of the most concerning immigration issues may be the ones that are more complex and not well understood by lawmakers, law enforcement, or the public. This complexity increases opportunities for abuse of an important immigration process, which then
Excess Equipment Sales & Potential National Security Threats
James M. Rush Sr.
December 27, 2017
Low-probability, high-consequence situations, such as mass fatality events, often stress or overwhelm local response capabilities within a very short timeframe. The ability to handle these situations differs greatly depending on the size of the jurisdiction affected and its readily available resources. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
ARTful Leadership & Disaster Management
Eric J. McNulty
December 27, 2017
Disaster preparedness and response professionals had a front-row seat for the turbulence in 2017. A historic hurricane season left first responders and the communities they serve struggling to keep up. Fires continue to ravage the west. Active shooter and terrorism incidents keep everyone on edge. Infectious disease outbreaks remain a
Mass Fatality Research ā New York & Beyond
Terry Hastings and Katie Joel
December 20, 2017
Low-probability, high-consequence situations, such as mass fatality events, often stress or overwhelm local response capabilities within a very short timeframe. The ability to handle these situations differs greatly depending on the size of the jurisdiction affected and its readily available resources. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Tribal Ham Radio Operators Cut Through the Storm
National Tribal Amateur Radio Association
February 24, 2018
In September 2017, the National Tribal Amateur Radio Association (NTARA) ā in conjunction with the Fresno Amateur Radio Emergency Services Group and Tulare County Amateur Radio Club ā set up and operated Amateur Radio Special Event Station W7NTV during the National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC) annual conference. Held at
Passenger Egress ā A Priority for Metro Rail Lines
Thomas Renner
February 21, 2018
Underground rail transit systems in the United States can be dangerous places. Not only for their riders and employees, but also for emergency responders, who may be called to help evacuate people from the area safely or to stop a blaze. The confined spaces, tight stairwells, and potential for the
Evolving Needs: Interoperable Communications
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group
February 21, 2018
During complex and large-scale incidents, first responders in the multi-jurisdictional National Capital Region (NCR) must be able to deploy and integrate with other public safety agencies in a timely and efficient manner. The NCR, for the purposes of this document, is defined as the District of Columbia and surrounding Virginia
2017 Inauguration & Womenās March ā Planning & Outcomes
Natalie Jones-Best
February 14, 2018
Washington, D.C., hosts thousands of special events each year, ranging in size and complexity. For such events, the District of Columbiaās Department of Transportation (DDOT) serves as the lead agency for transportation management and support. Although many of these events are planned activities for which the district and its local,
New Emergency Rule: Challenge for Some, Good for All
David Reddick and Justin Snair
February 7, 2018
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a comprehensive emergency preparedness rule in 2016 that applies to nearly every healthcare provider in the nation, and outlines steps those providers must take to improve their preparedness and ensure sustainability in the face of a disaster. The rule compels healthcare
Animal Relocation After Disaster ā Four Cases in 2017
Richard Green
January 31, 2018
Between late August and the end of 2017, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) deployed to six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to four disasters: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the wildfires in Northern California. In all, the ASPCA assisted nearly
Incident Scale & the Need for Operational Resilience
John Contestabile and Richard Waddell
January 24, 2018
Numerous incidents occur every day in the United States, from simple/frequent events like automobile accidents, train derailments, and severe weather, to catastrophic/infrequent events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the Keystone pipeline leak to name just a few. By examining factors related to the incident and
Preparing for a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack
Deanne Criswell
January 17, 2018
Complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs) are exactly as the name implies: large-scale attacks that are multifaceted, well-planned, and often involve multiple perpetrators. These individuals are often unknown to law enforcement, making them difficult to identify during pre-operational planning activities. Because of their size and complexity, these types of attacks far
Responding to the Nuclear Threat ā Then & Now
Keith Grossman
January 17, 2018
In the civil defense era of emergency management, the federal, state, and local civil defense authorities were presented with the mission to protect the civilian population from an attack on the U.S. mainland. Shelter programs, coordinated public warning systems, emergency assistance provisions, and other protective measures were developed. Today, these
U Visas ā A Hidden Homeland Security Vulnerability
Robert C. Hutchinson
January 10, 2018
Immigration continues to be a relevant yet sensitive topic of discussion. Some of the most concerning immigration issues may be the ones that are more complex and not well understood by lawmakers, law enforcement, or the public. This complexity increases opportunities for abuse of an important immigration process, which then
Excess Equipment Sales & Potential National Security Threats
James M. Rush Sr.
December 27, 2017
Low-probability, high-consequence situations, such as mass fatality events, often stress or overwhelm local response capabilities within a very short timeframe. The ability to handle these situations differs greatly depending on the size of the jurisdiction affected and its readily available resources. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
ARTful Leadership & Disaster Management
Eric J. McNulty
December 27, 2017
Disaster preparedness and response professionals had a front-row seat for the turbulence in 2017. A historic hurricane season left first responders and the communities they serve struggling to keep up. Fires continue to ravage the west. Active shooter and terrorism incidents keep everyone on edge. Infectious disease outbreaks remain a
The Presidency & Control of Nuclear Weapons
Jerome H. Kahan
December 20, 2017
āThe whole point of U.S. nuclear weapons control is to make sure that the president ā and only the president ā can use them if and whenever he decides to do so,ā said Alex Wellerstein, a historian of nuclear weapons at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in an article published
Indianaās Emergency Response Guidelines for School Safety
Robert Quinn
December 13, 2017
The 2016 Legislative Session of the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 147 requiring the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to establish minimum standards and approve best practices no later than 1 July 2017 for a school emergency response system. The new guidelines are helping to improve school
10 Questions for Selecting Business Continuity Software
Erin Valentine
December 13, 2017
Being resilient when faced with an emergency or catastrophic event requires preplanning to ensure that operations can continue with minimal interruption throughout the event or restart soon after the event. Business continuity software can help bridge the continuity gap during these times. Answering these 10 questions before purchasing will help
Emerging Threats to Rail Infrastructure: Part I, Freight
Joseph W. Trindal
December 6, 2017
There is a desire for some bad actors to target rail systems, especially the hazardous materials freight rail network. This threat underscores the need for the rail transportation industry to maintain and strengthen partnerships with federal, state, and local authorities.
Remember the Past, While Imagining the Future
Catherine L. Feinman
December 5, 2017
The imaginations of television and filmmakers are often used to create futuristic worlds, with technologies that can be used as tools or as threats. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are one such technology that is now off the screen and often seen in the sky. Like āThe Jetsonsā of the early
Biothreats ā Advocating Action Through Transition
Robert C. Hutchinson
November 29, 2017
On 15 November 2016, the Presidentās Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a letter report to the president on āAction Needed to Protect Against Biological Attack.ā PCAST urged the president for immediate action to ensure that the nation has the ability to meet these challenges with near-,
Protecting the Homeland From Nefarious Drone Use
Richard Schoeberl and Kendall J. Smith
November 22, 2017
The 2016 Legislative Session of the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 147 requiring the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to establish minimum standards and approve best practices no later than 1 July 2017 for a school emergency response system. The new guidelines are helping to improve school
Freight Rail Safety and Emergency Management
Kay C. Goss
November 22, 2017
During the second week of October 2017, the DomPrep Journal hosted and Draeger sponsored a series of presentations and discussions, which included most of the major federal agencies engaged in freight rail safety and security, as well as the American Association of Railroads. To add to that discussion, several states
Chemical Attack on Public Transport ā A Likely Scenario
Zamawang Almemar
November 15, 2017
Some experts say that a chemical attack plot on Western public transportation systems such as this one is inevitable: It is 0753 on a Tuesday morning at the busy red line subway station in Washington, D.C. The Islamic State group (IS) just claimed responsibility for a chemical attack that took
Critical Infrastructure Partnerships ā Prioritizing Assets
Christopher Ryan
November 15, 2017
A key early step for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) programs is to identify and prioritize the most important facilities and assets for maintaining community safety, normalcy, and quality of life. Within single jurisdictions, CIP program managers typically choose prioritization criteria to determine the most critical assets. However, developing customized prioritization
Staying āPRIMEDā for a Radiation Event
Grant Coffey
November 13, 2017
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) events are low in frequency, but high in consequence, requiring a frequent and more targeted emphasis on the way that responders train and learn. Radiation is often not well understood. It can be intimidating for both the public and for first responders. Radiation
Unmanned Aircraft Systems ā On the Way to the Jetsonsā Era
Charles J. Guddemi
November 8, 2017
Debuting in 1962, āThe Jetsonsā depicted the family of the future, with people movers, tube travel, vehicles that folded up into brief cases for parking purposes, home computers, internet, microwave ovens, CT x-ray for medical purposes, cellphones, and speed limits of up to 2,500 miles per hour. Fast-forward to today,
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