Domestic Preparedness And Homeland Security Audio Interviews

by MICHAEL MONTFORT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. 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 key takeaways are already helping to improve collaboration and communications throughout the region. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by THOMAS RUSSO, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Given 20 years of pandemic planning, is it not surprising when people ask, “Why were we not ready?” This question should be explored whether the time has come to put the country on a warlike footing for pandemic response with a coherent, institutionalized, and tested pandemic policy. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by MABEL DE LEO & DEBORAH SATELER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. The current monkeypox outbreak is different from historical outbreaks that remained endemic and rarely became international events. Now the situation is changing daily. This article explains what precautions are needed to prevent the spread and how new approaches should be implemented to tackle it.  Narrated by Randy Vivian

by ZSOFIA PASZTOR & SZABOLCS PASZTOR, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. 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 training these volunteers with emergency preparedness and response skills is essential for future large-scale disasters.   Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By KAY C. GOSS, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, September 09, 2015. This 2015 article will help preparedness professionals better understand the presidential disaster declaration process and how to access supplemental disaster relief funds following a hurricane or other disaster. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By MITCH SARUWATARI, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  December 21, 2011. Preparedness efforts are continually improving. However, as expressed in this 2011 article, the challenge of establishing verifiable standards, quantifying improvements, and identifying readiness gaps is ongoing. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by  JAMES ORIGLIOSSO & SKY TERRY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Volunteer general aviation pilots have assisted their communities during emergencies and disasters for many years. This is the second of a two-part article on their disaster preparedness efforts in the Pacific Northwest. In this part, they participate in two separate yet coordinated functional earthquake and tsunami disaster exercises. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by BENJAMIN LIEB & JASON BASHURA, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. History reveals patterns that preparedness professionals can use to better protect communities from agroterrorism and supply chain threats. One historical study has been updated to reflect cases of intentional food contamination events around the world. Learn more about this research and how to protect the food supply. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By CRAIG DEATLEY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 07, 2013. Monkeypox is the latest virus that raises contamination and decontamination questions. This 2013 article explains how each decision made will affect a hospital's total cost and benefits. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by JENNIFER PEARSALL, An Article Out Loud by the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Over the past two and a half years, most emergency preparedness professionals experienced some level of virtual work, even at emergency operations centers (EOC). And it appears that some aspects of working virtually is here to stay – including during a response. This article describes some lessons learned from one emergency manager tasked with running a virtual EOC. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by PATRICK COYLE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. The Chemical Sector is one of 16 sectors identified as critical infrastructure under the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. Domestic Preparedness invited one subject matter expert to answer important questions about this sector and how the sector and its interdependencies can affect any community. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RAPHAEL M. BARISHANSKY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 02, 2012. Hospitals in Florida continued to care for their patients as Hurricane Ian battered their state. This 2012 article describes the type of interagency cooperation and standard of care needed during this crisis. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By JOSEPH CAHILL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, March 25, 2009. This 2009 article discusses the lessons learned after Hurricane Katrina. Following the evacuation of many Floridians prior to Hurricane Ian, many new lessons will likely be learned. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by LISA NENNO & TIMOTHY MILLER, An Article Out Loud by the Domestic Preparedness Journal.   During their service, military personnel acquire a broad range of lifesaving skills that are critical when on the frontline during wartime. Effective medical triage is one of the skills needed during combat and any major disaster or catastrophic event. Partnering with tribal and other civilian stakeholders, military veterans provided a unique perspective and training experience during a national-level exercise.  Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by SKY TERRY, An Article Out Loud by the Domestic Preparedness Journal.   General aviation pilots have been finding ways to assist their communities during emergencies and disasters for many years. However, over the past two years, significant advances in disaster preparedness have been made as emergency response plans were created and exercised to integrate volunteer aviation response into other community response efforts.  Narrated by Bonnie Weidler. 

by BRUCE FITZGERALD, An Article Out Loud by the Domestic Preparedness Journal.   A 9.0-magnitude earthquake is a predictable scenario along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This article describes how the tribal nations in the Pacific Northwest are preparing their region for this catastrophic event. This exercise allowed tribal and non-tribal participants to evaluate their resources and test their communications capabilities. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by ANDREW ALTIZER & TIMOTHY MURPHY, An Article Out Loud by the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Building resource capacity involves research, planning, and execution that should begin now. Identifying potential dangers, considering “what if” scenarios, capitalizing on other events and incidents, and overcoming barriers are key components for building resilient communities. This article explains how to get started.  Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By RICHARD SCHOEBERL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 28, 2012.  Before passenger aircraft were hijacked and used as weapons, and bombs were smuggled inside underwear and shoes, such attacks may not have seemed likely to occur. Similarly, the reproduction and dispersal of the "eradicated" smallpox virus may seem to be an extremely small risk, but early planning is required to cope with what is still a potentially viable threat. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By THEODORE (TED) TULLY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  November 23, 2011.  Two major weather events that occurred earlier this year will be long remembered not only by meteorologists and historians but by the general public as well. Tornadoes struck the city of Joplin without warning and destroyed everything in their paths. Hurricane Irene was even more destructive - but at least provided some advance warning. The legacies of both will be studied by emergency planners for many years to come. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by JOHN PENNINGTON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Emergency management professionals are tasked with making their communities more resilient to future threats and disasters. However, emergency management leaders and their organizations must adjust and adapt to more than just response scenarios. For tribal emergency managers, this means following the principles that define an evolving emergency management fields while also navigating additional bureaucratic obstacles and adhering to their distinct cultural traditions and protocols. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.