Domestic Preparedness And Homeland Security Audio Interviews

by WILLIAM H. AUSTIN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  When intentional acts of violence occur, people often wonder if the incident was preventable. For example, after a mass shooting killed 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, many were questioning the predictability of the gunman’s actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By RICHARD GREEN & TIMOTHY PERCIFUL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 28, 2019. When there is a need for sheltering animals, there are several options – each comes with advantages and disadvantages. Conditions, agency policies, experiences, resources, or timing typically drive the decision as to what type of shelter is used. Regardless of the type of shelter utilized, the primary goal is to provide quality daily care until animals are reunited with their families or rehomed to new families. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RODNEY E. ANDREASEN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 06, 2016.  Law enforcement officers, paramedics, and other responders have received extensive training in dealing with active shooters and the wounds resulting from active shooter incidents. However, the potential force multipliers in all these attacks that are just beginning to receive attention are the potential victims at the scene. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by RICHARD SCHOEBERL & W. COCHRAN PRUETT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.   Despite the deaths of Islamic State and al-Qaida leadership, violent extremism is not gone. This article describes why, despite recent successful strikes against terrorist groups, intelligence agencies and others tasked with protecting their communities must stay vigilant. More strategic depth is needed to help reduce the possibility of the extremist groups’ resurgence. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

by PATTY RIDINGS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Catastrophic earthquakes and a desire for residents to help their neighbors inspired the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Since its creation in 1986, CERT has become a nationwide program that continues to evolve. This article describes how a new digital solution is closing the credentialing gap between citizen responders and emergency services agencies to enhance whole-community resilience. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By BARRY KANNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 04, 2009. In times of sudden disaster, help may be just around the corner - particularly if a ham radio operator is living there. Their ranks are legion, they usually pay all of their own costs, and they are among the most highly skilled communicators in the country. That combination makes them especially valuable as invisible volunteers in the nation's domestic-preparedness community.  Narrated by Randy Vivian 

By RODRIGO (RODDY) MOSCOSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 15, 2011 The old saying that, "No matter where you go, there you are," has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by HAILEY YORK & LINDSEY LANE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Human trafficking is the world’s second-largest criminal industry. In the wake of natural disasters, the risk to vulnerable populations rises. This article informs preparedness and response professionals on how to better protect their communities and prepare their workforces to identify the signs of human trafficking, understand recruiting methods, consider pre-existing vulnerabilities, and learn other information to mitigate this growing threat. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by JUDY KRUGER & KYLE OVERLY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Before 2019, partner agencies coordinated incident command primarily from a physical emergency operations center (EOC). This practice shifted to virtual EOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic for many agencies. Virtual EOCs can effectively address community needs through all phases of consequence management. Emergency management and partner agencies have found virtual on-scene coordination efficient, cost-effective, and flexible.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By MARKO BOURNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 30, 2013. Joplin High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School both suffered devastating disasters - one natural and one manmade. In both cases, the residents rallied behind their schools and their communities to rebuild and recover. Lesson learned: From unexpected events, unexpected leaders often emerge who are both willing and able to lead their communities back to some form of "normal." Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By SARA RUBIN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  October 24, 2012. By using mHealth technologies, local health departments can improve their efficiency and effectiveness not only in communicating with the public but also in dispensing medical countermeasures during large-scale pandemics. Current initiatives can offer a starting point on how to integrate mobile technology into local preparedness planning efforts. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by ERIN VALENTINE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Effective trainings are ones where the participants remember and later implement what they learned into their daily operations. Not everyone knows how they would respond in a true emergency. However, some trainings provide a more realistic glimpse into disaster scenarios than others. This first-hand account describes what it was like for one participant inside a hospital training facility. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by ROBERT C. HUTCHINSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Although it may not have been readily apparent in early 2020, the federal government did have a comprehensive national strategy and implementation plan for a pandemic threat. Despite having these resources and knowledge, the United States was still unprepared to effectively respond to COVID-19. This article points out the preparedness gaps and the urgency to close them before the next major public health threat. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

By SETH KOMANSKY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 23, 2017.  First responders are often deployed to unique operating environments, which include large-scale special events with many participants and spectators: street festivals; road races or marathons; concerts; and sporting events. These environments require leadership to take a forward-thinking posture in the planning process to develop a strategy. It also relies on front-line personnel to execute tactics that vary from day-to-day operations. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By THOMAS P. RUSSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  August 08, 2012.  Having choices opens many opportunities for patients and responders as well as medical staff within the U.S. healthcare system. However, that benefit has led to complications in communications and the sharing of information. Healthcare coalitions are seeking better ways to meet daily operational goals while at the same time expanding the capabilities available to cope with emergency surges and mass-casualty incidents. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by IAN PLEET, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Mass shootings have spurred agencies to shift from reactive to proactive measures to mitigate threats and their consequences. Tactical medicine plays a significant role in reducing deaths associated with active assailant incidents. This article explains how trained first responders with the correct equipment and the courage to use it can be on the scene, saving lives even before the attacker is subdued. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

by KESLEY RICHARDSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Emergency management professionals are regularly tasked with high-stress responsibilities, including political pressure, life safety concerns, vulnerable infrastructure, and community vulnerabilities. Three ways to reduce the risk of burnout and increase retention efforts are described in this article: lead with care, invest in psychological support, and look at the schedule. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.     

By STEPHEN GRAINER, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 15, 2013.  The United States already has a national system in place that can help responders "manage" any disaster situation - both natural and manmade. By adapting and modifying the concepts and processes of the Incident Command System, large and small jurisdictions alike can easily incorporate several categories of specialized response teams into complex response efforts.   Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

By THEODORE (TED) TULLY, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 02, 2012.  No matter what the Supreme Court decides on the constitutionality of the healthcare reform act, U.S. hospitals must prepare now for major changes in their planning, everyday operations, and both budgetary and personnel resources. Many of those changes may be costly. Most will be time-consuming and/or difficult to implement. But in the long term, almost all will benefit - the hospitals themselves, their medical staff, and -most important of all - their patients. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

by  JAMES MARTIN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Emergency preparedness often involves preparing for a particular type of disaster. However, each disaster can affect people differently depending on their individual physical and mental abilities. This article helps emergency preparedness and response professionals address the needs of individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs and know how to respond respectfully and provide the best possible care.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.