Domestic Preparedness And Homeland Security Audio Interviews

by TONY MUSSORFITI, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Low-frequency, high-consequence events are rare, emergency responders still need to be able to evaluate these complex problems and determine initial actions. To avoid being overwhelmed and increasing the risks to both responders and civilians, emergency responders need to be able to quickly identify all potential hazards, then predict the outcome when a hazardous material or weapon of mass destruction¬ (WMD) incident occurs. This article explains how a risk-based approach will better prepare responders for future situations. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By ARTHUR GLYNN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal,  June 15, 2016. Tomorrow, a simulated 9.0-magnitude earthquake will rupture along the 700-mile Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). Such an event could create 90-foot wave surges in some areas, according to geological factors and historical accounts. Using research and lessons learned from previous events and exercises like those described in this 2016 article, communities in and around the CSZ, and those with interconnected waterways, need are getting prepared for the inevitable. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By JEFFREY D. WILLIAMS, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 08, 2015. Hazardous material personnel are faced with a broad range of chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. However, not all hazards are equal, nor are similar quantities. As hazardous material experts convene in Baltimore this week for an annual convention, this 2015 article offers a glimpse of how they must use terminology of measurement units,  the relationship of quantity, and biological impact of specific materials to determine the appropriate response when encountering radiological materials. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by JUDY KRUGER & SCOTT HARRIS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Japan is more prepared for future disasters due to communications and annual investments into exercises and drills with local and international partners. Tokyo Disney Resort leveraged private-public partnerships to increase preparedness in employees, guests, business services, critical infrastructure facilities, and government stakeholders to manage future disruptions caused by natural disasters. A private-public partnership helped align business needs and supported risk-information decision-making during a complex, large-scale disaster. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By SCOTT MCCALLUM, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 19, 2013. As baby formula shortages continue across the country, many agencies and organizations are working together to get supplies to those in need. Providing food to the hungry entails gathering donations, distributing food, and tracking every step of the process to keep the supply chain safe and secure. Revisit this 2013 article to learn how public and private partnerships have been formed to create a robust distribution system that is not only reliable but also scalable in times of disaster when relief is most urgently needed. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By  ROB SCHNEPP, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 29, 2005. In the late 1960s, far too many firefighters were dying in the line of duty when fighting fires involving hazardous materials (hazmat). One man, Ludwig Benner, realized that changes were needed, both in the way firefighters were being trained and in the decision-making process. This 2005 article provides some history behind how modern hazmat thinking evolved. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by ROBERT LEVERONE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Law enforcement agencies are tasked with protecting life and safety as well as the civil liberties of those within their jurisdictions. Crowds present even more complex and dynamic scenarios. However, this research on crowd psychology can help law enforcement officers navigate these complexities on an operational level. Being able to gauge crowd behavior would help officers make more informed planning and response decisions and reduce the risk of civil unrest. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

by ANDY ALTIZER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. When an injury causes a life-threatening bleed, minutes matter. There may not be enough time for first responders to arrive on the scene, so immediate responders are needed. Knowing how to respond to this type of injury and being able to stop the bleeding are skills that everyone should learn. This article explains why and how to do that. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By LYNDA ZAMBRANO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 03, 2017. As in any community, a solid network of partnerships is needed to address the specific needs of its community members. Native American and Alaska Native populations span the nation, but face similar preparedness challenges. The National Tribal Emergency Management Council has been addressing resilience gaps since before this article was written in 2017. In June 2022, they will take another leap forward as they coordinate their first National Level Exercise (called "Thunderbird and Whale 2022") with public and private partners throughout the Pacific Northwest. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By JOHN SAUNDERS, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 18, 2012. Blizzards, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, icebergs, and volcanic eruptions are just some of the natural hazards found across the unique Canadian terrain. Although knowing who is charge during an incident can be a challenge under the existing political structure, emergency managers continue to communicate, collaborate, and learn from other nations to better improve capabilities within their own borders. This 2012 article from Canada is an example of how every country must identify and manage the various hazards and challenges that exist across their diverse jurisdictions.  Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

by RANDALL W. HANIFEN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. From small fire companies covering large areas of rural land to large fire departments covering highly populated urban cities, suburban fire departments are tasked with a mixture of both. One firefighter who has spent his career in a suburban fire department shares the five key lessons he has learned throughout his career.  Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.   

By CAMERON W. SLOCUM & JAMES LEE WITT, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 10, 2010. This 2010 article describes how the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) used the lessons learned from Hurricanes Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008 to develop an effective response and rebuilding plan that not only has been used by UTMB itself to cope with future disasters but also provides a Gold Standard recovery blueprint for other organizations and institutions of all types. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By W. CRAIG CONKLIN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 04, 2010. In 2010, the Department of Homeland Security released two new publications to help federal officials throughout the country tighten the physical security of the office buildings, warehouses, and hundreds of thousands of other taxpayer-funded federal facilities entrusted to their care. This 2010 article describes those standards, one of which was incorporated into and one that was superseded by the 2021 edition of The Risk Management Process for Federal Facilities: An Interagency Security Committee Standard (RMP). Narrated by Randy Vivian.

by ADAM TAGER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Each disaster a community faces must be effectively managed. By viewing each crisis as a project and each emergency manager as a project manager, communities will be better prepared to mitigate future threats, manage special events, and respond to emergencies and disasters. This article describes how traditional models converge to create a comprehensive project management approach.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By GARY SIMPSON, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 22, 2007. Since this article was written in 2007, major developments have been made to bridge the communication gap for emergency response agencies. However, in times of crisis, the communications between neighboring jurisdictions can still be problematic. Advanced technology has solved the problems and confusion for some jurisdictions, while creating new costly problems for others. This article highlights the interoperability struggle that agencies have faced and some are still trying to overcome today. Narrated by Randy Vivian. 

By JOSEPH CAHILL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, March 08, 2006. The laws are in place but are often unenforceable. Transportation assets are available but are almost always overcommitted. Clear mandates from local, state, and federal decision-makers are obviously needed to restore order from the current chaos. This 2006 article describes the challenges associated with contractual agreements between ambulance providers and facilities. During disasters, these contracts may be difficult to fulfill. Narrated by Randy Vivian.     

by ASHLEIGH HOLMES  , An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  When an emergency or disaster occurs, healthcare facilities require reliable communications for ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care. The New York City Emergency Management Department has revamped its City’s emergency radio communications program to ensure that critical information can be exchanged before the next incident. Their best practice serves as an example for other jurisdictions to upgrade their equipment and build in communication redundancies. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By CATHERINE L. FEINMAN  , An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, March 28, 2018. On April 12, 2022, a man in a gas mask began shooting passengers in a New York subway car. With millions of passengers traveling each day by rail and subway in the United States alone, the passenger rail industry and the communities they serve are faced with difficult safety and security challenges – from equipment failures to terrorist attacks. This 2018 article shares expert recommendations on how a whole community approach is needed to address these challenges, understand the threats and consequences, and promote a culture of resilience. Narrated by Randy Vivian.   

by RODNEY ANDREASEN , An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Active shooters and other violent incidents occur all over the country – in urban and rural areas, in big cities and small towns, in large and small facilities. Many examples demonstrate the need to understand and plan for them and the significant consequences that could follow. This article empowers the reader to better understand how these incidents may occur and ways to better mitigate and respond when healthcare and other facility is threatened. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler. 

By VERNON HERRON & MICHAEL VESELY , An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 18, 2012. The New York shooting incident in the subway demonstrates how citizen awareness campaigns are working. Passengers helped stop the bleed of shooting victims. Eye witness reports pointed police in the right direction. Alert citizens noticed someone suspicious. And the shooter was caught the next day. As discussed in this 2012 article, homeland defense and emergency management begin at home. New Yorkers demonstrated last week that, when they saw something, they not only said something but they also did something. Narrated by Randy Vivian.