Domestic Preparedness And Homeland Security Audio Interviews

by RUTH BAUGHER PALMER, MARY MCNAUGHTON-CASSILL & MARY SCHOENFELDT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Disasters are often described in terms of the physical damages they incur. However, the significant impact on mental health, which can have even longer-term consequences, sometimes is not addressed until after the response phase of the disaster is complete. This article explains the importance of immediately and simultaneously addressing both the physical and psychological effects of an event.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

By JOSEPH CAHILL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 16, 2014. Emergency managers are tasked with creating disaster plans to protect the people within their jurisdictions. With numerous possible scenarios, any disaster may require the establishment of special facilities to provide sheltering, vaccinations, and other emergency services to the public. A comprehensive plan coupled with quick decision-making skills will help ensure that the proper facilities and services are available. This 2014 article describes some of these specific services. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By VINCENT B. DAVIS, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, February 24, 2016.  This 2016 article describes a continuity gap that still exists today in many corporations. Corporate confusion could spell disastrous response in a crisis. To dispel such confusion, companies should have an emergency manager on staff, ensure that employees are well prepared, and recognize that managing daily business operations is not the same as managing response and recovery operation after a disaster. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by TIMOTHY SCARROTT & NATHAN DIPILLO, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. An examination of past violence shows how terminology can affect the incident-reporting process and subsequent statistics for various incident rates. However, statistics clearly show that the COVID-19 pandemic did increase societal violence, which can significantly impact critical infrastructure. This article connects these dots and provides suggestions for reducing future impacts of societal violence. Narrated by Randy Vivian.   

by AKSHAY BIRLA, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Life is beginning to return to normal following the past two years of the pandemic, but the world is still as unpredictable as ever. When it seems as though one catastrophic situation is coming to an end, another tends to emerge as the newest public safety issue. This article addresses the wildfire threat and the need for a common operating picture. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by MICHAEL MELTON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Telemedicine capabilities have become valuable medical tools to provide life-saving treatment to patients where and when needed. Similarly, off-site skills and knowledge can be transferred to on-site law enforcement personnel through teleforensics to identify and thwart threats, while increasing crime clearances. This article describes how expanding capabilities, identifying needs, delivering instructions, and facilitating remote applications are examples of technology serving as a force multiplier across disciplines. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by ROBERT F. KELLY & DEAN C. ALEXANDER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. The Nashville Christmas bombing provides valuable lessons about targeted violence incidents. This research on pre-attack indicators shares four key takeaways for law enforcement and other preparedness professionals to understand regarding lone wolf and leaderless resistance attacks. Knowing other pre-attack indicators may help thwart a future attack even when the motive is unknown. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By KAY C. GOSS, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, March 19, 2014.  This 2014 article stated, described the wide variety of natural disasters that various parts of the world had recently experienced. The author's prediction that the frequency and cost of such events would continue to increase is demonstrated in the $1-billion events since 1980 rising from 151 in 2014 to 323 in 2022. Review these lessons learned and take advantage of ongoing learning opportunities to better prepare for the next extreme weather event. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By TASHAWN BROWN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 15, 2018. In 2017, the National Weather Service reported 107 fatalities across the United States related to heat – more than the deaths related to tornados, hurricanes, and cold weather combined. In 2021, that number was 190. Revisit this 2018 article to learn how New York has been helping local emergency management agencies work closely with the National Weather Service and other agencies and organizations to monitor extreme heat and related threats that can affect local communities. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by RAPHAEL M. BARISHANSKY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Public health preparedness has emerged and matured as a distinct discipline since the events of 9/11 and the subsequent Ameri-thrax attacks. Although, in the past, public health agencies were pushed to the forefront of various emergencies, the planning and infrastructure for public health emergency response were not funded and not in place until after 2001. This article describes the gaps that need to be addressed as the discipline continues to face public health emergencies worldwide. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

by CHARLES GUDDEMI, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Community lifelines ensure that businesses and the government can continue functioning and society can thrive. However, a breakdown in daily operations is inevitable when one or more lifeline is lost. In communications, this means a disruption in technology that has become interwoven into societal norms – talking, texting, data transfer, social media, etc. This article shares possible solutions to the predictable loss of the communications lifeline. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By THOMAS J. LOCKWOOD & PETER LAPORTE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  October 26, 2016.  Various drills and exercises highlight efforts to protect communities against various types of attacks involving transportation, buildings, historic sites, sporting events, and so on. Attacks and hostage-taking incidents around the world expose vulnerabilities that need to be assessed in all communities to determine: what they need to drill, who they need to train, and how they will collaborate across jurisdictions. The lessons learned in this 2016 article are as important today as they were more than five years ago. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By RICHARD SCHOEBERL & DANIEL SCHERR, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, October 18, 2017. “Lone wolf” attacks like the Highland Park shooting at a July 4th parade continue to represent significant threats to communities as well as national security. Whether ideologically or non-ideologically inspired, mass shootings resulting in 10 or more fatalities have occurred more than 15 times over the past 10 years. Written soon after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, this 2017 article shares the challenges communities face in identifying potential lone wolf attacks. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

In most fields, basic training is part of the learning process. Fire, law enforcement, the military, and other disciplines have training academies for building competencies and testing new recruits. An exception to these types of requirements is the field of emergency management. This new training academy will ensure that all emergency managers are trained to the same standards regardless how much boots-on-the-ground experience they bring with them.  

By KENDALL A. LESER, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 01, 2015. The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing case was memorable for many people - especially for the 16 people who lost limbs on that tragic day. This 2015 article reminds local and state agencies that, by law, every jurisdiction must have plans and partnerships in place to ensure that those with existing or newly acquired disabilities are properly cared for in any emergency.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.   

By STEPHEN M. THAL & WILLIAM H. AUSTIN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  May 22, 2013. July marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This 2013 article describes the challenges that people with disabilities faced after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm left many people without basic resources, but less publicized was the fact that a number of citizens suffering from various disabilities were transported without their wheelchairs and/or other equipment and devices required to meet their needs. Trainers with real-world experiences began helping first responders lessen the impact on these citizens in future disasters. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by CHRISTOPHER TANTLINGER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. A tool designed with zero tolerance would not be able to function efficiently or effectively. Likewise, taking a zero-tolerance approach to emergency preparedness and response has led to some problematic policies and procedures. This article explains why building in some level of acceptability would make policies and procedures more effective and communities more resilient. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by KURT BRADLEY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Public safety agencies require funding to support their operations. Government grants provide opportunities to build preparedness and response programs and strengthen community resilience. However, the grant process has changed over the years. This article helps agencies navigate the current competitive grant process and improve their chances of receiving much-needed funding. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By JOSEPH J. LEONARD JR., An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 08, 2019. The world is currently facing many threats. In 2018, Domestic Preparedness hosted the Emerging Homeland Security Issues Panel in conjunction with the Clean Gulf Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This article summarizes the active discussion among panel members and more than 50 attendees on hybrid warfare, the threat environment, strategic and operational preparedness, emerging technology to meet these threats, and the sustainment of interagency relationships Narrated by Bonnie Weidler. 

By CHARLES PERINO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 12, 2015. Key stakeholders across the northwestern U.S. continue to participate in a National Level Exercise to prepare for a massive earthquake and tsunami in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Past catastrophic disasters can help identify the economic, geopolitical, and social factors of each community's recovery following a catastrophic disaster. This 2015 article continues to be a valuable resource in helping communities identify and address future recovery challenges before the next catastrophic event. Narrated by Randy Vivian.