VOLUNTEERISM
Cybersecurity in Hospitals and the Public Health Sector
Healthcare cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency. The primary methods used in these attacks include phishing and email compromise (e.g., ransomware and other malware), fraud scams, network server breaches, inappropriate access to medical records, insider threats, and standard theft. In 2022, HHS published The Impact of Social Engineering on Healthcare, which found that phishing attacks were the top threat, representing 45% of all attacks. Ransomware (most commonly delivered through phishing emails, malicious links, or…
Most Recent
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, to consider if communities are more prepared today than they were in 2001.
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 nationwide is needed to support the efforts of these assets.
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 should consider non-prescription medication kits as part of their pre-deployment planning.
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 individuals and implications for the work of emergency management professionals.
VOLUNTEERISM Archives
Training for Hazardous Tasks in Virtual Environments
Ryan Putman
August 16, 2023
Being able to recreate complex hazardous materials incidents in a classroom setting teaches life-saving lessons in a safe environment. Advances in virtual and augmented reality
Sports Celebrations – Expect the Best, Plan for the Worst
Robert Leverone
August 2, 2023
Large sports-related celebratory events necessitate a coordinated response from municipal government agencies and the community. Thorough planning, intelligence-based risk assessments, and stakeholder input are critical
7 Best Practices for Implementing Housing Recovery Programs
Daina Ruback
August 2, 2023
Implementing Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery housing recovery programs can be complex and challenging and, if not done correctly, can result in delays, inefficiencies, and inequitable
AI Partners – Filling Law Enforcement Experience Gaps
Jeff Henderson
July 26, 2023
As the hiring gap in law enforcement widens, agencies must find innovative solutions to maintain the experience and wisdom of their seasoned officers. Artificial intelligence
Three Keys to Life-Saving Hurricane Season Communication
Brian Toolan
July 26, 2023
Years of strategy and planning go into crisis response and developing a communication plan that keeps people safe, clearly outlines the situation, and empowers them
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.
Volunteerism
Cybersecurity in Hospitals and the Public Health Sector
Healthcare cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency. The primary methods used in these attacks include phishing and email compromise (e.g., ransomware and other malware), fraud scams, network server breaches, inappropriate access to medical records, insider threats, and standard theft. In 2022, HHS published The Impact of Social Engineering on Healthcare, which found that phishing attacks were the top threat, representing 45% of all attacks. Ransomware (most commonly delivered through phishing emails, malicious links, or…
Most Recent
Unleashing the Power of Amateur Radio in Times of Emergency
Scott Roberts and Desiree Baccus
June 21, 2023
Amateur radio operators are skilled communicators who serve as a lifeline during emergencies by relaying essential information, coordinating resources, and
Service Animal Awareness in Disaster Response
Melissa Resnick
June 7, 2023
Although they are companions to their human partners, service animals are not pets. Instead, they are trained to perform
Preparing the Next Generation for Increasing Disasters
Kay C. Goss
April 5, 2023
Preparing the next generation of emergency preparedness and response professionals requires educational programs that teach critical thinking and life-saving strategies.
Challenging the Next Generation to Communicate Preparedness
Chris Sheach
March 22, 2023
No single communication solution can apply to every situation. To better prepare the next generation of public safety professionals, one
Volunteerism Archives
Maintaining a Strong Volunteer Force
Kristina Hamilton
December 7, 2022
Volunteers are a lifeline for many nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies during emergencies and disasters. However, recruiting and retaining good volunteers can be difficult. This
Find Chances to Make Positive Changes
Catherine L. Feinman
November 30, 2022
Emergency preparedness and response professionals willingly insert themselves into many emergencies and disasters that they could have avoided in other professions. However, they use these
Avoiding the Complacency Trap After This Hurricane Season
Mark Misczak
November 23, 2022
Despite punishing hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida, the 2022 season has been relatively quiet for much of the Gulf coast and Atlantic seaboard. This
The Role of Faith in Disasters
Michael Prasad
November 9, 2022
Many faith-based organizations have disaster response and recovery components as major elements of their own missions. By partnering with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, faith-based groups
A Communicator’s Overview of a Large-Scale Exercise
Michael Montfort
October 26, 2022
A June 2022 exercise challenged amateur radio operators with establishing a Communications Unit with no power or pre-positioned equipment. The exercise was successful, but the
Earthquakes & Pandemic – Keeping People Fed Amid Crises
Zsofia Pasztor and Szabolcs (Szabi) Pasztor
October 19, 2022
Even though food is necessary for survival, it is not common to see agricultural workers at a disaster training exercise. However, one organization demonstrates why
