Emergency Management Archives

Emerging Threats to Rail Infrastructure: Part II, Passenger

Catherine L. Feinman March 28, 2018

With millions of passengers travelling 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. A whole community approach is needed to address these

Roles in Disaster – Completing the Chain

Catherine L. Feinman March 28, 2018

A passenger train derails in an urban community. Whether caused by intentional or unintentional factors, this incident would have consequences that go well beyond the rail company and the passengers traveling in these fated rail cars. Surrounding companies and communities would be affected, hazardous materials may be a threat, critical

User Guide for Responder-Driven Technology Development

Ann Lesperance and Richard Ozanich March 7, 2018

With new technology coming to market at a record pace, it can be difficult to know whether products are reliable, durable, and secure enough to make the nation’s emergency management professionals safer, better connected, and fully aware. The market is flooded with tools and capabilities that may be of benefit

Setting Examples for Disaster Preparedness

Catherine L. Feinman February 28, 2018

From coast to coast, communities across the United States are implementing solutions to address gaps that could hinder response efforts should a disaster occur. From special events to widespread natural disasters, this edition of the DomPrep Journal shares experiences and lessons learned from those who have firsthand accounts of these events and

Tribal Ham Radio Operators Cut Through the Storm

National Tribal Amateur Radio Association February 24, 2018

In September 2017, the National Tribal Amateur Radio Association (NTARA) – in conjunction with the Fresno Amateur Radio Emergency Services Group and Tulare County Amateur Radio Club – set up and operated Amateur Radio Special Event Station W7NTV during the National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC) annual conference. Held at

Evolving Needs: Interoperable Communications

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group February 21, 2018

During complex and large-scale incidents, first responders in the multi-jurisdictional National Capital Region (NCR) must be able to deploy and integrate with other public safety agencies in a timely and efficient manner. The NCR, for the purposes of this document, is defined as the District of Columbia and surrounding Virginia

2017 Inauguration & Women’s March – Planning & Outcomes

Natalie Jones-Best February 14, 2018

Washington, D.C., hosts thousands of special events each year, ranging in size and complexity. For such events, the District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) serves as the lead agency for transportation management and support. Although many of these events are planned activities for which the district and its local,

New Emergency Rule: Challenge for Some, Good for All

David Reddick and Justin Snair February 7, 2018

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a comprehensive emergency preparedness rule in 2016 that applies to nearly every healthcare provider in the nation, and outlines steps those providers must take to improve their preparedness and ensure sustainability in the face of a disaster. The rule compels healthcare

Making Schools Safe & Secure – A Local to National Effort

Mary Filardo January 31, 2018

This article explores the meaning of safe and secure schools, shows where current schools are falling short, and offers policy prescriptions, pointing to the pending federal infrastructure package as a unique opportunity to make an important down payment to secure a safer and better future for the nation’s students.Each day,

Animal Relocation After Disaster – Four Cases in 2017

Richard Green January 31, 2018

Between late August and the end of 2017, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) deployed to six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to four disasters: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the wildfires in Northern California. In all, the ASPCA assisted nearly

Incident Scale & the Need for Operational Resilience

John Contestabile and Richard Waddell January 24, 2018

Numerous incidents occur every day in the United States, from simple/frequent events like automobile accidents, train derailments, and severe weather, to catastrophic/infrequent events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the Keystone pipeline leak to name just a few. By examining factors related to the incident and

Preparing for a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack

Deanne Criswell January 17, 2018

Complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs) are exactly as the name implies: large-scale attacks that are multifaceted, well-planned, and often involve multiple perpetrators. These individuals are often unknown to law enforcement, making them difficult to identify during pre-operational planning activities. Because of their size and complexity, these types of attacks far

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