SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVES
Missing in Action: Private-Sector Situational Awareness
Michael J. Pitts
March 6, 2013
Immediately following an incident, the truly “first” responders usually are private citizens. However, the private sector’s responsibilities really begin by: identifying the warning signs, understanding the roles each citizen plays in the four phases of emergency management, and educating and training individual responders.
Developing & Deploying Multi-Use Technologies
Glen Rudner
February 27, 2013
With the high cost of creating new technologies and the budget restraints of those who will be using the products, it is critical that developers, policy makers, and end users are all involved in each phase of the development process. A unified approach for developing an adaptable multi-use technology will
Implementing PPD-8: New Opportunities, Greater Challenges
Amanda Faul
February 26, 2013
Improving national resilience is a process that requires developing and promulgating new policies, defining missions and capabilities, and implementing change through training and education. As the two-year anniversary of Presidential Policy Directive 8 approaches, policy makers and responders are learning much more about the planning opportunities, and new challenges, they
Liability Protection: An Often Overlooked Aspect of Business Continuity
David McWhorter
February 20, 2013
Makers and users of anti-terrorism products and services have more to fear than terrorism itself. After certain technologies have changed hands, the sellers and consumers alike may face future liabilities that would halt further production and/or the continuation of services. To guard against that problem, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Partnering: A Key to Effective Preparation & Response
Thomas (Tom) Moran
February 12, 2013
Super Storm Sandy caused major power outages and service interruptions throughout many communities in New Jersey and New York. Thanks in part to the assistance provided by previously established partnerships of the All Hazards Consortium, the public and private sectors were better able to coordinate the services and efforts needed
The Timely Art of Declaring a Public Health Emergency
Joseph Cahill
February 6, 2013
Swine flu, bird flu, and pandemic flu have been widely publicized by the news media over the past decade. Public health and emergency management officials walk a tight line, though, between the risk, on the one hand, of sounding an alarm prematurely and, on the other, of missing the pivotal
Preparing a Region for the Nation’s Inauguration
Craig DeAtley
January 23, 2013
Unlike the sudden release of toxic chemical agents, pathogens often are difficult to detect and prevent. Such threats evolve over time and have the ability to silently spread between communities. Identifying the threat early would help slow or prevent the spread of disease before it overwhelms a community’s response capabilities.
A Continuing Need for Accurate All-Hazard Assessments
Joseph W. Trindal
January 20, 2013
Making plans to avoid a perceived hazard can sometimes create a real hazard when a careful risk assessment is not conducted. Local hazmat and law enforcement experts must be brought in to work with public and private agencies before decisions about sheltering and establishing evacuation routes for those in danger
An Overlooked Factor in Mass Killings
Joseph W. Trindal
January 16, 2013
Violent crime may be decreasing in the United States, but mass killings seem to be on the rise. Although media play a critical role in raising situational awareness, there are associated costs – misinformation, emotionally driven dialogue, and information that not only assists planning for other would-be attackers, but may
Air, Sea, Land: No Detail Left Unplanned
Scott L. Brillman
January 16, 2013
As tall ships sailed into port, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flew overhead, and visitors filled the streets, the 2012 Sailabration in Baltimore, Maryland, became not only an official celebration but also a unique special event that required the collaboration, cooperation, and combined talents of hundreds of local volunteers and
Building a Bigger Better Buffer Zone Protection Plan
Richard Morman
January 16, 2013
Criticality, accessibility, recuperability, vulnerability, effect, and recognizability – all are essential elements that help identify risks and determine a course of action to protect potential targets of terrorist activity. By identifying risks and creating a “buffer zone” to protect valuable infrastructure, special events such as football games at The Ohio
Hands-On Training in an Internet World
Joseph Cahill
January 9, 2013
The added convenience of taking CE and professional development training online certainly has advantages. However, when considering enrolling in courses for base training purposes, there are some notable disadvantages as well – primarily involving skills training and testing – that also should be considered.
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