Most recently published

Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 2: Emergency Management Approaches and Choices
Glen Woodbury
October 30, 2024
This is Part 2 of a two-part article that explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community regarding the operations, resilience, resourcing, strategies, and policies necessary to better prepare for future events.

Local-Level Planning for National-Level Threats
Catherine L. Feinman
October 30, 2024
The authors in this October edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal share their knowledge and best practices for protecting communities from cybercriminals, nation-state threat actors, and transnational criminal organizations. These threats, which used to be typically handled at the state and national levels, are now local-level concerns that require robust

Advisory Board Spotlight: Keeping It Real With Lynda Zambrano
Lynda Zambrano
October 30, 2024
Lynda Zambrano is on the advisory board for the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Lynda is the executive director of the Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council and the National Tribal Emergency Management Council, and has been inducted into the International Association of Women in Emergency Management’s Hall of Fame. She sat down with

Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 1: Challenges and Considerations
Glen Woodbury
October 23, 2024
Part 1 of a two-part series explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community, regarding the operations, resilience, resourcing, strategies, and policies necessary to better prepare for future events.

The Ethics of Data in Disaster Management and Crisis Operations
Anthony S. Mangeri
October 23, 2024
As the demand for evidence-based decision-making continues to grow, emergency management professionals must commit to ethical data practices that respect the needs of the community and the rights of individuals. In times of crisis, data can save lives, but only if managed with care, responsibility, and respect for ethical principles.

Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Ray Barishansky, DrPH
Raphael M. Barishansky
October 23, 2024
Ray Barishansky, DrPH, is on the advisory board for the Domestic Preparedness Journal and has a passion for public health and emergency management. He sat down with the Journal’s Nicolette Casey to share his story. Learn about Dr. Barishansky’s journey from an EMT to a Doctor of Public Health.

Cyber and Physical Resilience in the Food and Agriculture Industry
Nathan DiPillo
October 16, 2024
Despite low profit margins and major setbacks caused by natural hazards and disasters, the food and agriculture sector continues to find innovative solutions. Balancing and integrating new concepts and technological advancements with an old-school farming mentality will keep this sector resilient and thriving when battling cyber and environmental threats.

Backyard Cybersecurity: The Local Challenge
Brian Shajari
October 16, 2024
The modern world increasingly relies on rapidly advancing digital technology, and cybercriminals progressively focus on ways to exploit technology’s vulnerabilities. Although higher levels of government and businesses may possess the tools necessary to protect against cyberattacks, local governments often do not.

Malicious and Non-Malicious Cyber Incidents: Education and Preparation
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
October 9, 2024
Working with stakeholders across an organization to ensure cyber resilience is a part of disaster planning. Education is critical. Helping users understand hackers’ strategies to compromise an organization is foundational, and forward-looking efforts can help prevent oversights or critical failures during larger events.

Tren de Aragua: From Prison Gang to Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate in the U.S.
Anthony (Tony) Mottola and Dan Scherr
October 2, 2024
The United States has never been shielded from transnational organized crime syndicates or transnational street gangs operating in its borders. But these days, extensive and additional technology are needed across federal, state, and local agencies. Moreover, combating these organizations will require better collaboration and coordination among partner agencies as well

Securing Cities: The Fight Against Local Level Cyberthreats
Michael Breslin
October 2, 2024
As digital threats against local governments and private entities grow more sophisticated, the need for action becomes urgent. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and at the local level, it forms the bedrock of the collective digital safety and security for all. Every citizen, agency, and organization must play a part

Preparedness – The Goal With No Finish Line
Catherine L. Feinman
September 25, 2024
In memory of the September 11 terrorist attacks and National Preparedness Month, the authors in this September edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal address community outreach, responder fatigue, first responder equipment, crisis communications, and threat awareness.

Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Robert DesRosier Sr.
Robert DesRosier Sr.
November 6, 2024
Robert DesRosier Sr., former director of Blackfeet Tribal Emergency Management and Homeland Security, discussed his journey into emergency management with Domestic Preparedness Journal editor Catherine Feinman. Beginning with his career as a first responder and his role in the Blackfeet Nation, he highlighted the importance of domestic preparedness and

Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 2: Emergency Management Approaches and Choices
Glen Woodbury
October 30, 2024
This is Part 2 of a two-part article that explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community regarding the operations, resilience, resourcing, strategies, and policies necessary to better prepare for future events.

Local-Level Planning for National-Level Threats
Catherine L. Feinman
October 30, 2024
The authors in this October edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal share their knowledge and best practices for protecting communities from cybercriminals, nation-state threat actors, and transnational criminal organizations. These threats, which used to be typically handled at the state and national levels, are now local-level concerns that require robust

Advisory Board Spotlight: Keeping It Real With Lynda Zambrano
Lynda Zambrano
October 30, 2024
Lynda Zambrano is on the advisory board for the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Lynda is the executive director of the Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council and the National Tribal Emergency Management Council, and has been inducted into the International Association of Women in Emergency Management’s Hall of Fame. She sat down with

Growing Foreign Threats to National Security, Part 1: Challenges and Considerations
Glen Woodbury
October 23, 2024
Part 1 of a two-part series explores the nation-state threat and its implications for the emergency management community, regarding the operations, resilience, resourcing, strategies, and policies necessary to better prepare for future events.

The Ethics of Data in Disaster Management and Crisis Operations
Anthony S. Mangeri
October 23, 2024
As the demand for evidence-based decision-making continues to grow, emergency management professionals must commit to ethical data practices that respect the needs of the community and the rights of individuals. In times of crisis, data can save lives, but only if managed with care, responsibility, and respect for ethical principles.

Advisory Board Spotlight: Interview with Ray Barishansky, DrPH
Raphael M. Barishansky
October 23, 2024
Ray Barishansky, DrPH, is on the advisory board for the Domestic Preparedness Journal and has a passion for public health and emergency management. He sat down with the Journal’s Nicolette Casey to share his story. Learn about Dr. Barishansky’s journey from an EMT to a Doctor of Public Health.

Cyber and Physical Resilience in the Food and Agriculture Industry
Nathan DiPillo
October 16, 2024
Despite low profit margins and major setbacks caused by natural hazards and disasters, the food and agriculture sector continues to find innovative solutions. Balancing and integrating new concepts and technological advancements with an old-school farming mentality will keep this sector resilient and thriving when battling cyber and environmental threats.

Backyard Cybersecurity: The Local Challenge
Brian Shajari
October 16, 2024
The modern world increasingly relies on rapidly advancing digital technology, and cybercriminals progressively focus on ways to exploit technology’s vulnerabilities. Although higher levels of government and businesses may possess the tools necessary to protect against cyberattacks, local governments often do not.

Malicious and Non-Malicious Cyber Incidents: Education and Preparation
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
October 9, 2024
Working with stakeholders across an organization to ensure cyber resilience is a part of disaster planning. Education is critical. Helping users understand hackers’ strategies to compromise an organization is foundational, and forward-looking efforts can help prevent oversights or critical failures during larger events.

Tren de Aragua: From Prison Gang to Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate in the U.S.
Anthony (Tony) Mottola and Dan Scherr
October 2, 2024
The United States has never been shielded from transnational organized crime syndicates or transnational street gangs operating in its borders. But these days, extensive and additional technology are needed across federal, state, and local agencies. Moreover, combating these organizations will require better collaboration and coordination among partner agencies as well

Securing Cities: The Fight Against Local Level Cyberthreats
Michael Breslin
October 2, 2024
As digital threats against local governments and private entities grow more sophisticated, the need for action becomes urgent. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and at the local level, it forms the bedrock of the collective digital safety and security for all. Every citizen, agency, and organization must play a part
National Laboratory Partnerships: Linking Operations and Research
Ryan Eddy and Ann Lesperance
September 25, 2024
The September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 spurred a pivotal change in the way the U.S. approaches preparedness for threats to the homeland. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory showcases how national laboratories address homeland security threats by developing the technology and other resources first
Responder Fatigue: A Growing Concern
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
September 18, 2024
Emergencies require immediate action by people trained to extinguish fires, treat injuries, protect the public, and perform other life and safety tasks. Responders who repeatedly encounter high-stress scenarios may face additional life and safety concerns in the form of fatigue. Learn about three types of fatigue and how to combat
Crisis Communications: Reaching Teens and Young Adults
Barrett Cappetto
September 18, 2024
Generation Z and millennials encompass almost half of the world’s population, and their communication style, preferences, and ideals differ from those of their older counterparts. Crisis communication plans must account for these differences to reach that demographic. Navigating these variations helps ensure that alerting organizations’ efforts are well-received and effective.
AI and 911 Call Systems: A New Ally or a Hidden Risk?
Michael Breslin
September 11, 2024
From natural disasters to sophisticated cyberthreats, the risks to public safety are evolving fast. As unexpected events can strike at any moment, the systems designed to protect people – 911 call centers – face unprecedented challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape by increasing efficiencies and risks. Learn about
Security in and Around D.C.: Following the Informational Dots
Catherine L. Feinman
September 11, 2024
Preparing for any special event includes many unknowns. When an event involves national security, the stakes are even higher. Public safety agencies have been sharing their lessons learned and providing recommendations to prepare the nation for the upcoming election events. Read some of the takeaways they shared at the D.C.
National Preparedness Month 2024: Talk About It
Ian Pleet
September 4, 2024
Each September, communities across the United States reexamine their preparedness goals and resources during National Preparedness Month. By educating and empowering individuals and families to prepare for emergencies, communities can be better positioned to face any disaster. In 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency urges people to “Start a Conversation”
Community Engagement – Strength in Numbers
Catherine L. Feinman
August 28, 2024
When community leaders in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery invest in engagements with community members, the return on investment can be measured in lives, properties, and money saved. The authors in this August edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal describe ways to strengthen the entire community against known and not-yet-known
Vulnerability and Exploitation: Human Trafficking After Natural Disasters
Benjamin Thomas Greer and Nathan DiPillo
August 28, 2024
Disasters inherently come with known and unknown threats. One looming emerging threat is human trafficking because traffickers capitalize on the vulnerability these events create to exploit victims. However, when properly trained, emergency management and disaster responders are uniquely positioned to identify, prevent, and mitigate exploitation before and after an emergency.
Dual-World Tabletop Exercises: Addressing Unmet Infrastructure Needs
Charles (Chuck) L. Manto
August 21, 2024
The U.S. critical infrastructure is vulnerable to many forms of cyber and electromagnetic threats. This article presents a new tabletop exercise concept for addressing these ongoing threats to critical infrastructure. Similar to medical research groups that involve treatment and control groups, two exercise groups would work simultaneously on the same
Realizing the Power of Community in Disaster Recovery
Aaron Clark-Ginsberg
August 21, 2024
No two communities are the same. Each community has unique vulnerabilities, capacities, and needs, and each has its own leaders, areas of cooperation, and areas of disagreement. Understanding these factors and building on the community’s strengths are critical steps in disaster recovery.
Return on Investments in Public Engagement
June Isaacson Kailes
August 14, 2024
Public engagement and participation involve community members in problem-solving, decision-making, and policy development. This article shares some new practices for creating actionable opportunities for key stakeholders to participate in decisions that affect their communities. Result-centered engagement can help protect people with disabilities and other community partners from many adverse impacts
Bridging Preparedness: State Medication Reserves for Pandemics and Beyond
Angie Im
August 14, 2024
New human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed in the United States. Although most cases like this do not escalate to pandemic status, it is critical that communities be better prepared than they were for COVID-19. However, one study shows that preparedness gaps may hinder these efforts.
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