SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVES
Cascading Consequences: Electrical Grid Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability
George H. Baker and Stephen Volandt
May 9, 2018
If there were a prolonged nationwide, multi-week or multi-month power failure, neither the federal government nor any state, local, tribal, or territorial government ā acting alone or in concert ā would be able to execute an effective response. This bleak outlook results from understanding that so many critical infrastructures depend
White Paper: Orthogonal Detection Can Help Save Firefighters Lives in the Overhaul Stage ofOperations
Domestic Preparedness
May 9, 2018
Building materials, furnishings, paints, plastics, and electronics found in todayās buildings have the potential to burn or decompose into acutely and chronically acting toxic gases and vapors. Studies have validated that toxic gases and vapors are not just present during suppression activities but also during the overhaul and investigation stages.
CBRNE Weapons & Islamic State ā A Bad Combination
Richard Schoeberl
April 25, 2018
Ā The recent developments concerning the nerve agent attack in the United Kingdom and their alleged country of origin, Russia, have raised fears in the international community. The ease of the attack raises concerns about terrorists utilizing similar methods. This raises questions about the likelihood of a similar attack against
In Search of Infrastructure-Proof Emergency Alerts
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
April 18, 2018
The increased reliance on emergency text alerts to receive warnings of natural or manmade disasters is a capability that most people have come to expect. Listening to broadcast radio warnings of severe weather happening miles away has transformed into more precise, geo-located alerts that target specific locations. The benefits of
Improving Local Health Department Cybersecurity
Justin Snair
April 11, 2018
Cyberattacks against local governments are becoming a new normal, yet the nation is not doing enough to prepare local health departments (LHDs) from such attacks. More than just a technological issue addressed by information technology (IT) professionals, cyberattacks can threaten lives and result in losses of integrity, availability, confidentiality, and
Five Steps Toward Enhancing Climate Resilience
Emily Wasley
April 4, 2018
People, communities, businesses, and governments around the world are already experiencing the devastating human, economic, and environmental consequences of a changing climate. Many have been impacted by āacute climate shocksā such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and severe winter storms ā resulting in the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
The Key to Saving Lives in CBRNE Events
Bobby Baker Jr.
March 28, 2018
In January 2018, in New York City, a group of professionals ā representing entities including the Department of Homeland Security, private contractors, hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (hazmat/WMD), law enforcement officers, and intelligence experts ā gathered to discuss the emerging threats to U.S. passenger rail service. Not only are these
Emerging Threats to Rail Infrastructure: Part II, Passenger
Catherine L. Feinman
March 28, 2018
Ā With millions of passengers travelling each day by rail and subway in the United States alone, the passenger rail industry and the communities they serve are faced with difficult safety and security challenges ā from equipment failures to terrorist attacks. A whole community approach is needed to address these
Roles in Disaster ā Completing the Chain
Catherine L. Feinman
March 28, 2018
A passenger train derails in an urban community. Whether caused by intentional or unintentional factors, this incident would have consequences that go well beyond the rail company and the passengers traveling in these fated rail cars. Surrounding companies and communities would be affected, hazardous materials may be a threat, critical
Historical Argument for Hardening Facilities
Michael E. Gray
March 14, 2018
Peopleās lives were changed forever on Tuesday, 11 September 2001. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, airport security was primarily focused on threats from guns and explosives. There was little worry about knives or sharp instruments. Even when detected at checkpoints, they were not often considered dangerous. Closing this
User Guide for Responder-Driven Technology Development
Ann Lesperance and Richard Ozanich
March 7, 2018
With new technology coming to market at a record pace, it can be difficult to know whether products are reliable, durable, and secure enough to make the nationās emergency management professionals safer, better connected, and fully aware. The market is flooded with tools and capabilities that may be of benefit
Setting Examples for Disaster Preparedness
Catherine L. Feinman
February 28, 2018
From coast to coast, communities across the United States are implementing solutions to address gaps that could hinder response efforts should a disaster occur. From special events to widespread natural disasters, this edition of theĀ DomPrep JournalĀ shares experiences and lessons learned from those who have firsthand accounts of these events and
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