Disaster Preparedness: A Societal View
Jeffrey Odoms
February 27, 2019
As communities become more impacted by all types of disasters, society is constantly coming to new realizations. Solely relying on governmental agencies to perform emergency response and recovery tasks is insufficient. The frequency, scale, and impact of disasters make it more challenging to stage resources in the right place. Perhaps a more prepared citizenry would help the overall disaster response and recovery. Research of three leading institutions into how concerned the public is about preparedness and its effectiveness has begun to paint an informative picture for creating public outreach efforts.
Community Resilience – Combining Nature & Nurture
Catherine L. Feinman
February 27, 2019
In each disaster, examples of community resilience emerge: neighbors helping neighbors; volunteers
filling response gaps; businesses providing unexpected resources; and first responders going above and
beyond their call of duty. Many people have an innate urge to respond to disasters by donating their
time and money, giving blood, providing transportation, feeding and clothing survivors, and so on.
Imagine a disaster response of the future where that natural instinct to help is harnessed and nurtured
by emergency preparedness professionals.
Modernizing the Nation’s Public Alert and Warning System
Domestic Preparedness
February 26, 2019
In October 2018, the FEMA National Advisory Council Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee provided the National Advisory Council (NAC) with a report for an integrated public alert and
Modernizing the Nation’s Public Alert and Warning System
Domestic Preparedness
February 26, 2019
In October 2018, the FEMA National Advisory Council Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee provided the National Advisory Council (NAC) with a report for an integrated public alert and
Force Multiplier – Empowering the Public
Roger Parrino and Terry Hastings
February 20, 2019
Perhaps one of the biggest myths in emergency management is that the public will panic during a crisis. Instead of panicking, the public often pulls together and even puts themselves in harm’s way to help each other. Furthermore, the public, not first responders, are often first on-site during an emergency. The emergency management community must embrace these realties and provide the public with the knowledge and training necessary to save lives and prevent human suffering.
Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health From Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism 2019
Domestic Preparedness
February 18, 2019
The Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health From Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism series has tracked public health emergency preparedness in the United States since 2003. The series documents progress
Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health From Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism 2019
Domestic Preparedness
February 18, 2019
The Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health From Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism series has tracked public health emergency preparedness in the United States since 2003. The series documents progress
Autonomous Vehicle Training Challenges for Law Enforcement
Joseph W. Trindal
February 13, 2019
In the early morning hours of Saturday, 1 December 2018, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) unit
observed a Gray Tesla Model S traveling southbound on US-101 at about 70 mph. The CHP unit, a
two-officer patrol, pulled alongside of the Tesla and noticed that the single driver/occupant appeared
to be asleep. Activating the CHP unit emergency lights and siren failed to wake the driver. Apparently,
the Tesla Autopilot, a semi-autonomous driving feature was “assisting” the vehicle from running off the
roadway. According to the CHP report, the officers proceeded to pull the CHP unit in front of the Tesla
and, using the autonomous crash avoidance safety system, the vehicle was slowed without colliding with
the CHP unit. The Tesla driver was awakened by the officers at his door, whereupon the driver,
displaying intoxicated behavior, was placed in custody and charged with driving under the influence
(DUI). Autonomous vehicles pose this and other challenges for law enforcement agencies.
DoD Directive 5101.20E – DoD Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) Biosafety and Biosecurity Program
Domestic Preparedness
February 11, 2019
This issuance establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for the Department of Defense (DoD) Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) Security Program and designates the Secretary of the Army as the
DoD Directive 5101.20E – DoD Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) Biosafety and Biosecurity Program
Domestic Preparedness
February 11, 2019
This issuance establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for the Department of Defense (DoD) Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) Security Program and designates the Secretary of the Army as the
