VOLUNTEERISM
Elevating Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Exercises with Realistic Patient Simulation
Natural and manmade disasters frequently result in significant healthcare impacts, including patient surges and hospital evacuations. These disasters create a need for robust healthcare emergency management (HEM) exercises, a priority reinforced by the Joint Commission’s accreditation standards, which require hospitals to regularly conduct full-scale emergency exercises. Nevertheless, many emergency management departments continue to struggle with personnel and budgetary constraints, as their value is often overlooked until disaster strikes. As such, HEM practice can often be…
Most Recent
Advice for Surviving a Disaster: Be Selfish and Small-Minded
David C. Williams II
November 13, 2024
In the base camp of his fifth federally declared disaster this year, a disaster finance coordinator reflects on a friend’s recent question: “How can I best help in a disaster?” His answer might be surprising: be selfish and small-minded.
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
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”
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.
VOLUNTEERISM Archives
Overcoming Communications Challenges: A Hurricane Helene Success
Jarod Rosson
January 29, 2025
As part of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hurricane Helene Incident Support Task Force, Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson experienced firsthand what it is
All at Once: Multi-Incident Simultaneous Response and Recovery
Tucker Berry
January 29, 2025
As demonstrated by hurricanes Helene and Milton, jurisdictions unaccustomed to compounding incidents can bolster their readiness to simultaneously respond and recover by proactively examining and
Evolution of a Critical Emergency Response Tool
Jamie Hannan and Kristina Clark
January 8, 2025
During a derecho in May 2024, Texas agencies contacted and conducted wellness checks on residents with disabilities or with functional and access needs. One tool
The Role of AI in Meeting a Great Emergency Management Challenge
Douglas Yeung and Aaron Clark-Ginsberg
December 26, 2024
AI’s ability to ingest and synthesize data on hazards and vulnerabilities could prove invaluable in addressing one of the biggest long-standing challenges of emergency management:
Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management
Alex Hagen and Jonathan (Jon) Barr
December 18, 2024
Recent research into the relationship between AI and emergency management uncovered an environment prepared for AI-based solutions. While AI must overcome some infrastructure hurdles, technologies
Why Messaging Matters: A Regionalized Approach to Alerts and Warnings
Soraya Sutherlin
November 27, 2024
Effective, timely, and unified communication across jurisdictions is essential for saving lives. The 2015 ExxonMobil refinery explosion highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, cross-jurisdictional alerting.
Follow Us
Get Instant Access
Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.
Volunteerism
Elevating Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Exercises with Realistic Patient Simulation
Natural and manmade disasters frequently result in significant healthcare impacts, including patient surges and hospital evacuations. These disasters create a need for robust healthcare emergency management (HEM) exercises, a priority reinforced by the Joint Commission’s accreditation standards, which require hospitals to regularly conduct full-scale emergency exercises. Nevertheless, many emergency management departments continue to struggle with personnel and budgetary constraints, as their value is often overlooked until disaster strikes. As such, HEM practice can often be…
Most Recent
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,
Volunteers: Incident Management Assets or Liabilities?
David Wells
July 31, 2024
Responses are often only effective if volunteers and their teams are properly trained, prepared, motivated, and deployed. One faith-based organization
Mitigating Disasters Through Collective Resilience
Andrew (Andy) Altizer and Barrett Cappetto
July 24, 2024
Existing social bonds can help communities better adapt to, respond to, and collectively cope with crises. Although the collective resilience
Amateurs of Action – The Women of Radio
Desiree Baccus
March 6, 2024
Volunteers are transforming emergency preparedness with an inclusive, diverse movement of impactful community engagement. Explore the inspiring stories of some
Volunteerism Archives
Cybersecurity in Hospitals and the Public Health Sector
Dan Scherr and Tanya M. Scherr
September 20, 2023
Cyberattacks on healthcare systems affect millions of patients each year. It is critical for agencies and organizations to build a culture of compliance and awareness
Three Puzzle Pieces That Increase Community Preparedness
Paul Gunnels
September 13, 2023
This author reflects on his team’s direct mission to New York in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, commonly referred to as 9/11,
Citizen Soldiers and American State Defense Forces
James P. Howard Ⅱ
September 6, 2023
State defense forces can be activated in times of emergency to assist with disaster response, homeland security, and other missions. However, more awareness within communities
Deploying With Adult Non-Prescription Medication Kits
Richard (Kirk) Higgins
August 16, 2023
The availability of non-prescription medications may mean the difference between a successful deployment and needing to return home ahead of schedule. As such, first responders
Community Preparedness for the Socially & Civically Isolated
George Schwartz
August 9, 2023
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of American adults reported feeling lonely. A lack of engagement can have serious health effects for socially isolated
Incident Management – The Whataburger Way
Ron Derrick
July 19, 2023
The Whataburger Command Center team uses a hybrid form of the Incident Command System when an unexpected event threatens the company’s stability, reputation, or operations.
Follow Us
Get Instant Access
Subscribe today to Domestic Preparedness and get real-world insights for safer communities.
