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 gunmanās actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions.
It is impressive to see how emergency preparedness professionals across disciplines constantly juggle numerous tasks and projects while balancing the needs of everyone they serve. In addition to managing their […]
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.
The ānew normalā following the COVID-19 outbreak is still evolving. Although some people have welcomed the relief from many years of commuting and focused on personal growth and time with […]
Because of the interconnectedness of so many aspects of society, the authors in this July edition
of the Domestic Preparedness Journal help readers better understand what is needed in the new normal: a
common operating picture, predictable lifelines, new or repurposed technological tools, and more. The
new normal after COVID will be quite different from the years after 9/11. However, with critical
thinking, research, and innovation, communities will discover their new normal ā again.
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.
To address the challenges that emergency preparednessāÆprofessionals face in an ever-changing threat
environment, the Domestic Preparedness Journal hosted a panel discussion at the Texas Emergency
Management Conference in San Antonio, Texas, on June 2, 2022. The multidiscipline panel was moderated by
James (Jim) Featherstone, a principal consultant at a crisis management consultant agency, Themata
Strategic LLC. Participants included the Texas Division of Emergency Management (Deputy Chiefs Suzannah
Jones and Country Weidler), Texas Department of Public Safety (Major Rhonda Lawson), Dallas Fire-Rescue
(Chief Dominique Artis), Amarillo Public Health (Casie Stoughton), and Texas Army National Guard,
Director Operations, Plans and Training (Colonel Robert Eason). This article summarizes the panelistsā
responses to questions that leaders should be asking themselves.
The first half of 2022 certainly has been busy! As businesses fully reopenĀ and people around the world begin to explore life in theĀ new normal, the Domestic Preparedness Journal has been exploring its new normal as well. The journal was launched in 1998 to bridge the communication and collaboration gaps between disciplines and across jurisdictions. While the journal has now been entrusted to a new steward, the mission of bridging gaps across disciplines and jurisdictions remains the same.Ā
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.
When community stakeholders work together to prepare for emergencies and disasters, they will be
better prepared and have more resources to face whatever threats, risks, and hazards are in their
future. Four key aspects to consider when building community resilience are addressed in this June
edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal: public-private partnerships, training, funding, and
tolerance.
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 gunmanās actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions. 
It is impressive to see how emergency preparedness professionals across disciplines constantly juggle numerous tasks and projects while balancing the needs of everyone they serve. In addition to managing their […] 
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. 
The ānew normalā following the COVID-19 outbreak is still evolving. Although some people have welcomed the relief from many years of commuting and focused on personal growth and time with […] 
To address the challenges that emergency preparednessāÆprofessionals face in an ever-changing threat
environment, the Domestic Preparedness Journal hosted a panel discussion at the Texas Emergency
Management Conference in San Antonio, Texas, on June 2, 2022. The multidiscipline panel was moderated by
James (Jim) Featherstone, a principal consultant at a crisis management consultant agency, Themata
Strategic LLC. Participants included the Texas Division of Emergency Management (Deputy Chiefs Suzannah
Jones and Country Weidler), Texas Department of Public Safety (Major Rhonda Lawson), Dallas Fire-Rescue
(Chief Dominique Artis), Amarillo Public Health (Casie Stoughton), and Texas Army National Guard,
Director Operations, Plans and Training (Colonel Robert Eason). This article summarizes the panelistsā
responses to questions that leaders should be asking themselves. 
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. 