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School Shooter: A Rapidly Growing Problem for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "School shootings have significantly impacted many aspects of our lives across the United States. They first became a recognized problem in American society in the 1960s and have since continued to increase in frequency and severity. Casualty numbers from school shootings have steadily increased since 1990, and even though such shootings are rarer than homicide, mass murder, and off-campus violence, they have a great impact on a community. Normally, techniques and tactics used by school administrations and law enforcement change over time to adapt to growing threats. Cases such as the University of Texas shooting in 1966 and Columbine High School in 1999, for example, led to changes in law enforcement tactics. While UT Austin and Columbine are landmark examples, from 2000 to 2015, there have been 45 school shootings. Attacks in Sandy Hook Elementary School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have focused demands for change, and school and law enforcement procedures have not yet adapted to the rising threat. This thesis examines how educators, first responders, and law enforcement should respond to school shooters today using threat assessment processes and facility security upgrades."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Kennedy, Dylan F.
2018-06
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Defense Management: DOD Senior Leadership Has Not Fully Implemented Statutory Requirements to Promote Department-Wide Collaboration
From the Highlights: "DOD continues to confront organizational challenges that hinder collaboration. To address these challenges, section 911 of the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for FY 2017 directed the Secretary of Defense to issue an organizational strategy that identifies critical objectives that span multiple functional boundaries and would benefit from the use of cross-functional teams. Additionally, DOD is to establish cross-functional teams to support this strategy, issue guidance on these teams, and provide training to team members and civilian leaders in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The NDAA also included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically assess DOD's actions in response to section 911. This is GAO's third report on the implementation of section 911. It assesses the status of DOD's efforts to (1) establish cross-functional teams, (2) issue an organizational strategy, and (3) issue guidance on cross-functional teams and provide training to team members and Office of the Secretary of Defense leaders. GAO reviewed documentation on DOD's implementation of its cross-functional teams and DOD's draft organizational strategy, draft guidance on establishing cross-functional teams, and draft training curricula. GAO also interviewed DOD officials on efforts to implement section 911. GAO is not making new recommendations in this report. DOD concurred and is taking actions to address GAO's previous recommendations on DOD's implementation of section 911. DOD also concurred with the findings in a draft of this report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2018-06
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DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (June 2018)
"The 'DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms' (DOD Dictionary) sets forth standard US military and associated terminology to encompass the joint activity of the Armed Forces of the United States. These military and associated terms, together with their definitions, constitute approved Department of Defense (DOD) terminology for general use by all DOD components."
United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff
2018-06
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Risk Factors and Indicators Associated with Radicalization to Terrorism in the United States: What Research Sponsored by the National Institute of Justice Tells US
"Since its creation in 2012, the National Institute of Justice's Domestic Radicalization to Terrorism program has sponsored research to support community members and practitioners in (1) identifying individuals who are radicalizing to terrorism and (2) developing prevention and intervention efforts. Although several of these projects are ongoing, important findings regarding the potential risk factors and indicators associated with engaging -- or attempting to engage -- in terrorism have begun to emerge. As many of these findings were based on analyses that compared individuals who engaged or attempted to engage in terrorism with those who did not, there is increasingly strong evidence that these risk factors and indicators may help practitioners to distinguish between individuals who are more or less likely to attempt to conduct a terrorist attack, as well as provide a foundation for prevention and intervention programs. [...] Taken together, these findings again suggest that efforts that focus on treating mental health issues, improving individuals' employment prospects, and/or helping them to develop and sustain positive relationships may contribute to prevention and intervention efforts. They also provide some evidence that these efforts may need to take into account individuals' personal and political grievances."
National Institute of Justice (U.S.); United States. Office of Justice Programs
Smith, Allison G.
2018-06
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Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan [June 2018]
"This report describes efforts to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan from December 1, 2017, through May 31, 2018. This report complements other reports and information about Afghanistan provided to Congress and is not intended to be the single source of all information about the combined efforts or the future strategy of the United States, its coalition partners, or Afghanistan. A classified annex accompanies this report. The next report will include an analysis of efforts to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan from June 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018."
United States. Department of Defense
2018-06
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Report on the Effectiveness of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program
From the Background: "Prior to September 11, 2001, commercial P&C insurance policies generally did not exclude coverage for losses resulting from terrorism. The events of September 11, 2001 (September 11 attacks) resulted in approximately $44 billion of P&C insurance losses, more than two-thirds of which were reimbursed by reinsurers to insurers. Following the September 11 attacks, insurers and reinsurers began to exclude coverage for terrorism risk from commercial P&C policies. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA) was enacted, in part, because the widespread unavailability of terrorism risk insurance 'could seriously hamper ongoing and planned construction, property acquisition, and other business projects, generate a dramatic increase in rents, and otherwise suppress economic activity.' TRIA established the Program, which requires insurers to make terrorism risk coverage available within certain lines of commercial P&C insurance (TRIP [Terrorism Risk Insurance Program]-eligible lines of insurance)."
United States. Department of the Treasury
2018-06
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Administrator's Intent
From the Document: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement of people and commerce. We continue to face the persistent challenge of outmatching a committed and adaptive adversary. To that end, the 2018 -2026 TSA Strategy details three strategic priorities that will guide the agency as it seeks to further enhance transportation security with our team of innovative professionals."
United States. Transportation Security Administration
2018-06-01
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From Urban Fragility to Urban Stability
From the Highlights: "[1] The share of Africa's urban residents living in slums is steadily rising as a result of an expanding and increasingly youthful population. Meanwhile, residents of African cities report among the highest levels of fear of violence in the world. [2] The inability of government institutions to resolve or at least mitigate conflicts over land, property rights, and services for urban residents, coupled with either absent or heavy-handed responses of security agencies in African slums, is contributing to a growing mistrust of African security and justice institutions. [3] Integrated urban development strategies--involving local government, police, justice institutions, the private sector, and youth--are necessary to build trust and adapt policies that strengthen economic opportunities, social cohesion, and security in Africa's cities."
National Defense University. Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Commins, Stephen K.
2018-06
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Drug Situation in the New Jersey Division: January to June 2017
From the Executive Summary: "The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division's Intelligence Program conducted a bi-annual assessment of the drug threats occurring within the State of New Jersey between January and June 2017. This report highlights the strategic and significant findings regarding the illicit drug trends in the New Jersey Division's (NJD) area of responsibility (AOR). Unless otherwise noted, data and findings are from DEA reporting."
United States. Drug Enforcement Administration
2018-06
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Development of a New Contagious Disease Model for NATO Allied Medical Publication 7.5 (AMedP-7.5)
"In October 2017, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Office published Allied Medical Publication 7.5 (AMedP-7.5) 'NATO Planning Guide for the Estimation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Casualties,' a document authored by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) under tasking by the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG). AMedP-7.5 describes a methodology for estimating the number and timing of casualties from CBRN agents and effects to 'assist planners, logisticians, and other staff officers in quantifying contingency requirements for medical force structure, specialty personnel, medical materiel, and patient transport or evacuation.' Users of this methodology can estimate casualties resulting from exposure to 12 chemical agents, 15 biological agents (including 4 toxins), 13 radioisotopes, radioactive fallout, or prompt nuclear effects. A contagious disease model in AMedP-7.5 also allows users to account for the potential of secondary transmission of 2 of the 15 biological agents (the causative agents of pneumonic plague and smallpox)."
Institute for Defense Analyses
LaViolet, Lucas A.; Cubeta, Robert L.
2018-06
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Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters
"The purpose of the Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters is to provide a preparedness and response resource for all jurisdictions. Jurisdictions can add the preparedness and safety messaging document as a resource to their communication plans that address hazards expected from extreme weather involving strong wind and high water, like hurricanes and floods."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2018-06
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FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin: June 2018
This June 2018 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin contains the following feature article: "Police Militarization in a Democratic Society" by Jay Fortenbery. Regular columns include: Bulletin Notes, Leadership Spotlight, and Notable Speech. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin is an official publication of the FBI, and is published monthly in an online format.
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
2018-06
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Forecasting the Future of Logistics: The Formulation of an Internet of Things Capability Index
From the thesis abstract: "As the third wave of information technology (IT) disruption within the logistics enterprise, the Internet of Things (IoT) holds the capability to greatly impact the United States Air Force's (USAF) understanding and preparation for future conflicts. As the pivotal decade of 2020-2030 approaches, the interconnection between information and communications technology (ICT), energy and transportation will drive logistics evolution throughout global infrastructure as IoT is further integrated. This paper considers the statistical relationship between IoT and the logistics environment and then models alternate futures within an established IoT framework through forecasts of China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and +1 Nation States using the International Futures model from Pardee University. In fulfillment of National Defense Strategy objectives, a conceptualized framework is introduced to visualize where this innovative technology will enable new efficiencies and an Index Score is formulated towards measuring competitive advantage. Ultimately, nation states and regions with higher IoT Capability Index Scores equate to strategic advantage in future operating environments marked by adaptation. Results reveal while the United States maintains competitive advantage currently, peer competitors are rapidly advancing as 2030 approaches. The strategic implications call for reemphasis on infrastructure within internal borders and strategic alliances. The conclusion introduces a 'Futurists look towards 2030', an introduction of four future research considerations within the USAF logistics enterprise, and a call for logisticians to embrace IoT and consider the leadership methodology associated."
Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)
McGuire, Daniel P.
2018-06
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Robust Deep Semantics for Language Understanding
"The Robust Deep Semantics for Language Understanding project, pursued under the Deep Exploration and Filtering of Text program, began with a research focus on five areas: deep learning, textual inferential relations, relation & event extraction by distant supervision, semantic parsing & ontology expansion, and coreference resolution. As time went by, the program focus converged towards emphasizing technologies for knowledge base population. The project successfully pioneered methods for deep learning for natural language understanding, effective knowledge base construction from text, natural logic methods for text understanding, improved mention coreference algorithms, and the further development of multilingual tools in CoreNLP."
Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio)
Manning, Christopher D.; Jurafsky, Dan, 1962-; Liang, Percy
2018-06
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Deep Neural Networks for Speech Separation with Application to Robust Speech Recognition
"This project will investigate the speech separation problem and apply the results of speech separation to robust automatic speech recognition (ASR). Speech separation has been recently formulated as a time-frequency masking problem, which shifts the research focus to supervised learning. The proposed effort will employ deep neural networks (DNN) as the learning machine for supervised separation The proposed research aims to achieve the following objectives. The first objective is separation of speech from background noise. This will be accomplished by training DNN classifiers on extracted acoustic-phonetic features. The second objective is integration of spectrotemporal context for improved separation performance. Conditional random fields will be used to encode contextual constraints. The third objective is to achieve robust ASR in the DNN framework through integrated acoustic modeling and separation. The performance of the proposed system will be systematically evaluated using the recently constructed CHIME-2corpus."
Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio)
Wang, DeLiang, 1963-
2018-06
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Squad-Level Soldier-Robot Dynamics: Map-Based Inferences for Autonomous Decision Making
"This report describes an evaluation conducted to determine how a squad-level ground robotic asset can assist in mission planning and squad-level tactical decision making based on map-based information and Soldier tactics, techniques, and procedures. We built upon information from previous structured interviews to further explore squad-level robotic assets and capabilities. Additional structured questionnaire items were used to examine these issues, using map-based descriptions to illustrate mission background information. These questions were developed to elicit detailed feedback from Soldiers concerning the operationally relevant information contained in map-based data, the tactical options this information affords, and decision processes for choosing among these options. This feedback would enable programmers to focus on the most tactically relevant information for developing algorithms for mission planning."
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Pettitt, Rodger A.; Elliott, Linda R.; Swiecicki, Clifford C.
2018-06
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Supporting Research and Development of Security Technologies Through Network and Security Data Collection
"Research and development targeted at identifying and mitigating Internet security threats require current network data. To fulfill this need, researchers working for the Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA), a program at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) which is based at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), have been engaged in collecting packet-level data from the UCSD Network Telescope (which monitors a /8 IPv4 darknet), and IPv4 and IPv6 topology data from the Ark infrastructure. We curated and, as necessary, anonymized this data, and shared it with the vetted network and security researchers using the PREDICT/IMPACT portal and legal framework. We have also contributed to community building efforts that were responsive to public and private sector needs in Cybersecurity S&T research. To help further advance cybersecurity research, we provided access to this sensitive data - real-time traffic destined for blackhole address space - using the 'bring-code-to-data' model on CAIDA machines. The major challenges in our approach were: sustainable collection, curation, and storage of large volumes of data, and enabling privacy-respecting sharing. To manage privacy risk without sacrificing research utility in our approach to data sharing, we collaborated with the PREDICT/IMPACT legal team to develop, formalize, test, and use a privacy-sensitive datasharing framework that integrated proven disclosure control techniques to protect privacy without obliterating all utility in the data, with a policy approach that relies upon standard privacy principles and obligations of researchers and data providers."
Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio)
Claffy, Kimberly; Fomenkov, Marina
2018-06
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High-Performance Computing for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle
"The development of the US Army Next Generation Combat Vehicle will integrate many innovations in artificial intelligence, autonomy, manned-unmanned teaming, predictive analytics, automatic target recognition, and other functions that require exponential increases in onboard computing capabilities. While the Army will be able to leverage many of the innovations taking place in the commercial sector for driver assist and full autonomous operation, the additional complexities of the battlefield require capabilities not addressed commercially. In this technical note we enumerate challenges faced by the Army and how onboard High-Performance Computing is critical to addressing the challenges."
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Henz, Brian J.; Elliot, Leonard; Shires, Dale R. . . .
2018-06
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DSB Task Force on Cyber as a Strategic Capability: Executive Summary
"The Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on Cyber as a Strategic Capability was established to assess how cyber capabilities are being used by U.S. competitors and adversaries to achieve strategic effects, and provide recommendations for how the United States can develop and employ a strategic cyber capability of our own. While the United States retains significant advantages in most military domains, the United States has fallen behind its competitors in the cyber domain, both conceptually and operationally. The threat that adversary nations and nonstate actors pose is not a hypothetical one - the United States has witnessed the effectiveness of strategic cyber operations, both against other countries and against the United States itself, on multiple occasions. Given the degree to which U.S. civilian and military infrastructure depend on cyber-enabled technologies, U.S. risks in the cyber domain present a serious and growing challenge to the Nation's ability to defend itself at home and advance its interests abroad. The DSB report on Cyber as a Strategic Capability concludes that U.S. strategic competitors and other states possess effective strategic cyber capabilities and doctrine. These may, in certain scenarios, stress U.S. ability to deter adversary cyber aggression. The study, therefore, examines the laws, governance structures, and culture that impair the United States from fully possessing strategic cyber capabilities. The United States must act quickly to enable strategic cyber as an option in the spectrum of effects. Doing so will help ensure the United States maintainsits current global posture and the U.S. homeland is protected against adversary blackmail and aggression."
United States. Defense Science Board
2018-06
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Oil and Gas Lease Management: BLM Could Improve Oversight of Lease Suspensions with Better Data and Monitoring Procedures, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights:"Oil and gas leases on federal lands generate billions of dollars in rents and royalty payments for the federal government each year, but these revenues can be reduced if leases are suspended (i.e., placed on hold). Questions have been raised about whether some suspensions, particularly those in effect for more than 10 years, may hinder oil and gas production or adversely affect the use of federal lands for other purposes, such as recreation. GAO was asked to review oil and gas lease suspensions on federal lands managed by BLM [Bureau of Land Management] . This report examines, among other things, (1) the extent of and reasons for such suspensions and (2) the approach BLM uses to monitor the status of lease suspensions. GAO analyzed all data on suspensions in a BLM database and the official lease files for a nongeneralizable sample of 48 leases recorded as suspended in, Montana and Wyoming, which GAO selected based in part on the large number of suspensions these states had. GAO also reviewed BLM documents and interviewed BLM officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2018-06
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Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
From the Overview: "Effective prevention and treatment strategies exist for opioid misuse and use disorder but are highly underutilized across the United States. An initiative of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) began in 2015 to address the complex problem of prescription opioid and heroin use. In 2017, HHS announced five priorities for addressing the opioid crisis: 1. improving access to treatment and recovery services 2. promoting use of overdose-reversing drugs 3. strengthening our understanding of the epidemic through better public health surveillance 4. providing support for cutting-edge research on pain and addiction 5. advancing better practices for pain management. Effective medications exist to treat opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These medications could help many people recover from opioid use disorder, but they remain highly underutilized. Fewer than half of private-sector treatment programs offer medications for opioid use disorders, and of patients in those programs who might benefit, only a third actually receive it. Overcoming the misunderstandings and other barriers that prevent wider adoption of these treatments is crucial for tackling the problem of opioid use disorder and the epidemic of opioid overdose in the United States."
National Institute on Drug Abuse
2018-06
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Impact of Japan's Security Strategy and Policies on U.S. National Security Interests in the Indo-Pacific
From the Thesis Abstract: "A region in transition, the Indo-Pacific includes four of the world's nine nuclear powers and the world's three largest economies. Amidst a dynamic and devolving threat environment, the region is struggling to accommodate the dominant rise of China and an increasingly capable nuclear-armed North Korea. Against this unstable security backdrop, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration is taking unprecedented post-war actions to ensure Japan's national security and prosperity. This study identified the Abe administration's omnidirectional 'Proactive Contribution to Peace' approach to Japan's national security strategy, focusing on its diplomatic, informational, military, and economic policies. [...] Its anti-war national identity, democratic model of economic success, and military support role within the U.S.-Japan alliance have historically characterized Japan's security outlook. However, Japan's controversial reinterpretation of Article 9 and emerging leadership roles in regional frameworks such as the CPTPP [Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership] illustrate Japan's modern security awakening. As Japan strives to move past its imperialist wartime legacy and the security dilemma, its regional engagement and security activism may prove consequential for U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Hyong, Sung Keun
2018-06
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Colonel Alexander Doniphan and the 1st Regiment of the Missouri Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican-American War: A Historical Case Study on the Complexities of Cultures and Conflict in New Mexico
From the Thesis Abstract: "As was demonstrated in the contemporary cultural milieus of Iraq and Afghanistan, military leaders are often not aware of the complex societal frameworks and underlying tensions they are functioning in. The actions of Colonel Alexander Doniphan and the 1st Regiment of the Missouri Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican-American War in 1846 present an interesting case study in the complexities of conflict. Their experience in the New Mexico region dealing with local Native American groups offers a valuable opportunity to study how military actions influence local populations and cultures, a region's governance, and future policy-making at the international level. The social complexities of conflict and the effect that military actions have on it, is a topic that military professionals should study profusely. It is one characteristic of the nature of war that will never change with time or technology. As such, numerous lessons can be learned from Doniphan's experience, which can be applied to future military endeavors by the American military when it finds itself again operating in a multifaceted Operational Environment."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Naughton, Patrick W., Jr.
2018-06
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Urban Terrorism: The Siege of Marawi City
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis analyzed the new form of urban terrorism as displayed in the siege of Marawi City. It sought to analyze the factors in the operational environment that bred the expansion of urban terrorism in the Philippines. The case study method was used to draw out the results of the study. Crenshaw's Theories on Terrorism, Spectrum of lethality and complexity of Urban Armed Assault, Typology of Urban Terrorist Attack, and the System's Perspective using the PMESII-RAFT [Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure-Relationships, Actors, Functions and Tensions] model was used as a point of analysis. The results showed that there was a new form of terrorism that has bred out of the older forms of terrorism in the Philippines. The change in political ideology and organizational form is apparent as it evolved into an ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] inspired ideology and leadership. Marawi City is vulnerable to urban terrorism when analyzed under the systems perspective using PMESII-RAFT model. These environmental factors influenced the rise of terrorism in the Philippines. Finally, the strategic assessment was done to draw out national and regional implications of urban terrorism was recommended for further study."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Divinagracia, Ervin C.
2018-06
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National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Voluntary Programs [presentation]
From the Mission of the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP): "To lead the national effort to secure critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with the critical infrastructure community."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2018-06
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Utah Crisis Standards of Care Guidelines
From the Document: "The purpose of this document is to guide the allocation of patient care resources during an overwhelming public health emergency of any kind (pandemic or natural disaster) when demand for services dramatically exceeds the supply of the resources needed. These Guidelines represent a consensus view of the entire Crisis Standards of Care Stakeholder Workgroup. The document will be updated as needed and should be modified by facilities to meet the needs and abilities of each hospital. Application of these guidelines will require and depend on physician judgment at the point of patient care."
Utah Hospital Association
2018-06
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Review of Gender Equity in the Department's Law Enforcement Components
From the Introduction: "The U.S. Department of Justice (Department, DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated this review after receiving several complaints from various sources, including Senator Charles E. Grassley and DOJ employees, expressing concerns about gender discrimination and harassment in the Department's law enforcement components. OIG assessed overall gender equity, based on both gender diversity in the workforce and employees' perceptions of gender equity and discrimination in the four law enforcement components."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2018-06
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Application of the Intelligence Cycle to Prevent Impacts of Disastrous Wildland Fires
From the thesis abstract: "Wildland fires are an enduring homeland security threat that destroys lives, property, and the environment annually. This thesis explores the concept that the application of the intelligence cycle is a practical approach to addressing threats and minimizing wildland fire impacts. To determine how effective the intelligence cycle can be in decreasing the impacts of disastrous wildland fires, the research examined the wildland fire problem, fire service intelligence, and the intelligence cycle. Research affirmed there is no current application of a wildland fire intelligence cycle. A case study analysis concluded that components of the intelligence cycle currently take place in wildland fire incidents, but not in a formalized process. This thesis argues that the intelligence cycle is a valuable framework for re-evaluating how the fire service collects, analyzes, and disseminates information about wildland fire threats. As a result of research and analysis, several recommendations were identified that include policy adoption at the national level and enhanced wildland-fire intelligence integration. The intelligence cycle adoption will ultimately help the fire service better communicate with the communities it services, and the resulting enhanced communication will help the fire service be more successful in mitigating the effects of those fires that do occur."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Young, Brian
2018-06
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Emergency Preparedness Coordination Challenges for Metropolitan Transportation Centers
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis evaluates emergencies that are likely to occur in metropolitan transportation centers and the challenges emergency managers face when preparing for them. Specifically examining nine co-located transportation agencies in California's San Francisco Bay Area, the research identifies methods emergency managers can use to enhance preparedness coordination and collaboration across multiple transportation agencies where, despite their different governance structures and base locations, operations overlap. The author examined best practices among existing emergency preparedness documents and offers six recommendations that can enhance cross-agency coordination: 1) adopting an all-hazards approach, 2) defining a common method, 3) involving the 'whole community' in preparedness activities, 4) enhancing resource-allocation techniques, 5) establishing a method for continuity of operations in a combined emergency operations center, and 6) hardening existing infrastructure. Going forward, the nine agencies in the study area must establish a year-long pilot program to evaluate emergency preparedness methods, which should include regular table-top exercises and the eventual establishment of a regional transportation emergency operations center (RTEOC). These exercises will also help the agencies establish clear roles and responsibilities, which will provide the public with better protection during emergencies."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Raines, Marcia
2018-06
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Program Evaluation: Recruitment & Hiring Gender Disparities in Public Safety Occupations
From the Executive Summary: "The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the responsibility to provide guidance to federal agencies on all aspects of the Federal Government's equal opportunity program and to aid all agencies to become model employers. One step to becoming a model employer is eliminating any barriers for protected groups to employment or advancement. In keeping with that responsibility, the EEOC conducts annual program evaluations to: 1) ensure compliance with the civil rights laws, regulations, and Commission directives enforced by EEOC; 2) identify best practices employed by agencies that can be shared with other agencies; and 3) provide technical assistance and/or advice to an agency where program deficiencies are uncovered. Program evaluations are initiated through recommendations that may arrive from multiple sources including, the EEOC Chair, Commissioners, Office of Federal Operations (OFO) or Office of Field Programs (OFP) management, EEOC Administrative Judges, and OFO staff members, as well as from outside sources such as Congress, federal agencies EEO staff, other federal agency employees, and media sources. The EEOC also surveys its own employees to gather recommendations of topics for program review."
United States. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
2018-06