Editor's Message: 6-Month Review - June 2022 | Domestic Preparedness Photo: iStock/ Kwangmoozaa
Commentary

Editor's Message: 6-Month Review - June 2022

by Catherine L. Feinman -

The first half of 2022 certainly has been busy! As businesses fully reopen and people around the world begin to explore life in the 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. 

 
Commentary

Building Capability: Zero Tolerance vs. Acceptability

by Christopher Tantlinger -

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.

Commentary

Working Together: Partnership, Training, Funding & Tolerance

by Catherine L. Feinman -

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.

Preparedness

Public Safety Grant Programs Changes – A 10-Year Review

by Kurt Bradley -

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.

Resilience

The Risk-Based Approach to Hazardous Material/WMD Incidents

by Tony Mussorfiti -

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.

Resilience

How the Best Get Better: Partnerships & a Trifecta Disaster

by Judy Kruger & Scott Harris -

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.

Updates

USDA Announces New SARS-COV-2 Research Funding Opportunity Through the American Rescue Plan Act

he U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced it will commit up to $24 million for research grants through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and the National Science Foundation Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program. These grants will support research that directly aligns with APHIS’ American Rescue Plan strategic framework and will support APHIS and its One Health partners’ efforts to identify risks and plan effective interventions to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal interface and to prevent impacts to the food supply.

FDA Authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Down to 6 Months of Age

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include use in children down to 6 months of age.

DHS S&T Publishes the Resilient PNT Reference Architecture and Update to Conformance Framework

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has published the Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Reference Architecture. The document incorporates modern cybersecurity principles to provide concepts and examples for building Next Generation Resilient PNT systems against current and future threats.

New Digital Indoor Mapping Capability Now Available for First Responders

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate funded the development of a cloud-based capability that enables first responders to review and analyze indoor floor plans in real-time when responding to incidents.

Statement from HHS Secretary Becerra on the CDC Decision to Rescind the Order Requiring Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing Prior to Flight to the U.S.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued a statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that – based on science and available data – pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers will no longer be required