Article Out Loud

As the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, attracted nationwide attention, emergency preparedness professionals have been taking steps to ensure their first responders have the tools, resources, and training needed to respond to rail incidents involving hazardous materials within their jurisdictions. This resource will help meet these preparedness objectives.

First responders and hospital staff can become secondary casualties to certain types of incidents. This 2012 article describes precautions that personnel must take when responding to chemical and detergent suicides.

The 2012 NPR assessment of the nation’s “Public Health and Medical Services” capabilities was encouraging, but there were concerns. Where do these capabilities and concerns stand today?

When a disaster strikes, responders face scenarios that deviate from normal routines, protocols, and resources. This newly proposed sufficiency testing and training guidance for disaster responders aims to prepare professionals mentally for these worst-case scenarios.

No single communication solution can apply to every situation. To better prepare the next generation of public safety professionals, one professor is challenging young adults to develop social media messaging that reaches diverse populations and encourages action to protect lives and property during emergencies.

Whether responding to mass casualties from a nuclear blast or an attack by a single “Lone Wolf” shooter, hospital preparedness requires careful planning, effective coordination, and collaboration in the sharing of critical resources. Inter-hospital cooperation and training will almost always result in a better outcome than would be possible through