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• Ethical Decision-Making for Homeland Security

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  From the thesis abstract: "The thesis suggests that homeland security personnel lack a uniform method to make sound and defensible ethical decisions. Building on a foundation of classical ethical thought, it is established that ethics are essential to the work of homeland security. Philosophical underpinnings include virtue ethics, deontology, utilitarianism, decision-making practices, and values common to the homeland security enterprise. Real-world case studies were examined in an attempt to understand and demonstrate what can happen if ethics are neglected, considered incompletely or incorrectly, or thoughtfully applied. Case studies include the response to Hurricane Katrina, motivation and thought behind terrorism, and the discussion on torture. Examples of good ethics programs were analyzed, including the Canadian Defense Ethics Program and the Wildfire Fire Leadership Development Program. From this research, a conceptual framework for understanding was developed. The DRIVE framework (Duty, Respect, Integrity, Vision, Ends/Expected outcomes) is proposed to give homeland security personnel the tools necessary to evaluate a situation, make a decision, and review it retrospectively. The framework is easy to remember, flexible to allow for individual differences, yet comprehensive enough to encompass classical ethical thought, common values, and decision-making. The thesis recommends developing an ethics-training program for homeland security, using DRIVE as a foundation."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Nelson, Aaron G.

  2013-09
• How Do Bank Regulators Treat Climate Change Risks? [November 25, 2020]

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  From the Document: "Potential risks to the financial system from climate change have attracted growing attention in government, academia, and media, raising questions about the roles of central banks and bank regulators in addressing such risks. The U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed), has responsibilities involving financial stability, monetary policy, and banking supervision. Climate change--defined in a November 9, 2020, Fed report as 'the trend toward higher average global temperatures and accompanying environmental shifts such as rising sea levels and more severe weather events'--may impact each of these. This could occur either through physical risks, such as greater storms and wildfires, or through 'transition risk,' meaning the risk that changed government policies or market perceptions might lead to sudden asset price drops, such as for carbon-emitting industries. The Fed report on financial stability warned that sudden hazards can bring about direct losses that could negatively impact banks' investments. It asserted that even slowly developing hazards such as rising sea levels could lead to sudden price drops for bank investments if abrupt changes in public perceptions about such risks emerges. This Insight focuses on the central bank's role in banking supervision and climate change risks and on what the Fed and other banking regulators have done to address such risks."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Miller, Rena S.

  2020-11-25
• Disaster Debris Management: Requirements, Challenges, and Federal Agency Roles [September 06, 2017]

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  "Every year, disasters such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, and winter storms affect American communities. In the aftermath of a major disaster, a potential threat to safety and obstacle to recovery is the presence of significant amounts of disaster debris. Depending on the type of disaster, debris may include waste soils and sediments; trees, limbs, and shrubs; man-made structures (e.g., collapsed homes, buildings, or bridges); and personal property. Residents' ability to return to the area and live in a safe and healthy environment may depend on how quickly and effectively a community manages its debris. To avoid overburdening existing landfill space, many communities attempt to divert as much debris as possible from area landfills through recycling, burning, composting, or another method of volume reduction. The logistics of such diversion can prove complicated without proper predisaster planning."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Luther, Linda G.

  2017-09-06
• Fire Management Today: Why Are Fire Seasons Growing? (Volume 63 No.2, 2003)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features an article encouraging the wildfire community to look forward titled "Fires and Forest Health: Our Future Is at Stake" by Dale Bosworth. Other articles include "Managing Fire-Prone Forests: Roots of Our Dilemma" by Stephen F. Arno and Steven Allison-Bunnell; "Firescope II" by Stephen J. Pyne; "Fire and Invasive Plants in California Ecosystems" by Jon E. Keeley; "A Burning Issue: American Indian Fire Use on the Mt. Rainier Forest Reserve" by Cheryl A. Mack; "Safety Alert for Wildland Firefighters: Fuel Conditions in Spruce-Beetle-Killed Forests of Alaska" by Martin E. Alexander and Joseph C. Stam; "Injuries and Fatalities During Nighttime Firefighting Operations" by Dan Thorpe; "How Would a 24-Hour Pay System Affect Suppression Costs?" by Krista M. Gebert, Ervin G. Schuster, and Hayley Hesseln; "Improving Fire Hazard Assessment in South Lake Tahoe, CA" by Lisa de Jong; "Technology Transfer and Wildland Fire Management/Research" by Martin E. Alexander; "'Principles of Fire Behavior': A CD-ROM-Based Interactive Multimedia Training Course" by W.R. Thorburn, A. MacMillan, M.E. Alexander, N. Nimchuk, K.W. Frederick, and T.A. Van Nest; "Franklin Awards for Achievements in Cooperative Fire Protection" by April J. Baily; "'Keeper of the Flame': A Journey to the Heart of Fire" by Stephen Vittoria; and "Book Review: 'Ghosts of the Fireground'" by Hutch Brown.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2003
• Fire Management Today: Aviation -- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Volume 67 No.2, 2007)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features an article about striving to be a High-Reliability Organization titled "Anchor Point - Our Challenge: Being a True High-Reliability Organization" by Tom Harbour. Other articles include "The Humble Beginnings of Aircraft in the Forest Service" by Melissa Frey; "Meet the 'Other' Airborne Wildland Firefighters" by Tim Lynch; "Rappelling With Helmet-Cam - Photo Feature" by Ben Croft; "The Man Who Gave Smokejumping Its Name" by Ken Frederick and Doug Frederick; "Cobra Attack Helicopters Retooled To Fight Fire" by Stan Kubota; "The Latest on the Evolution of Chemical Fire Suppression - Water Enhancers Eyed for the Future" by Lester Holsapple and Tory Henderson; "747 Jet 'Supertanker' Hopes To See Suppression Action" by Tribute to a Family Member: Mike Ward, Helicopter Pilot, 1949-2004" by Riva Duncan; "Understanding, Validating, and Implementing Doctrine" by Tom Harbour; "Linking Intense Western Wildfires With Weather Patterns and Conditions" by David Prevedel; "We Need a New Age of Forestry" by Jack Ward Thomas; and "Two Receive Golden Smokey Bear Awards for Exceptional Contributions" by Lewis F. Southard.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2007
• Fire Management Today (Volume 67 No.1 2007)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features the following articles: "Mutiny on Boulder Mountain" by James M. Hagen; "Comparing the Costs of Agency and Contract Fire Crews" by Geoffrey H. Donovan; "Appearances, Reality, and the Rhetoric of Fighting Wildfires" by Alan P. Church; "Restoring the Interior Ozark Highlands" by John Andre, Mark Morales, and McRee Anderson; "Lessons Learned From Rapid Response Research on Wildland Fires" by Leigh Lentile, Penny Morgan, Colin Hardy, Andrew Hudak, Robert Means, Roger Ottmar, Peter Robichaud, Elaine Sutherland, Frederick Way, and Sarah Lewis; "Improving Fire Management: What Resource Managers Need To Know From Recreation Visitors" by Deborah J. Chavez and Nancy E. Knap; "Examining the Sources of Public Support for Wildland Fire Policies" by James D. Absher and Jerry J. Vaske; "Computing the Low Elevation Haines Index" by Brian E. Potter, Julie A. Winkler, Dwight F. Wilhelm, and Ryan P. Shadbolt; and "A Fuels Management Bibliography With Subject Index" by M.E. Alexander.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2007
• Fire Management Today: Cooperative Fire Management (Volume 62 No.1, 2002)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features an article about involving the community in wildfire prevention titled "Firewise Workshops Ignite Community Action" by Cynthia Bailey. Other articles include "Study Supports Cooperative Fire Protection in the West" by Brian F. Weatherford; "Cooperative Fire Protection in Colorado" by Jim Hubbard; "Changes in Fire Hazard as a Result of the Cerro Grande Fire" by Dawn Greenlee and Jason Greenlee; "Firesafe Spokane: Working With the Community" by Ross Hesseltine; "A Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan for Guam" by David Limtiaco; "Pennsylvania's Firewise Medal Communities Program" by H. Alan Zentz, John Berst, and Paul Sebasovich; and "No Demobing Before Rehab!" by Mary Zabinski.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2002
• Fire Management Today: How Much Fuel is Acceptable? (Volume 67 No.3, 2007)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features an article about acceptable fuel loads titled "Simple Question; Difficult Answer: How Much Fuel Is Acceptable?" by M. E. Alexander. Other articles include "Anchor Point: Unless We Change Our Path, It's Going To Get Changed for Us" by Tom Harbour; "How Much Fuel Is in That Pile or Windrow?" by M.E. Alexander; "Science-Based Strategic Planning for Hazardous Fuel Treatment" by David L. Peterson and Morris C. Johnson; "Inviting Other Professions To Help Reduce Wildfire Property Losses" by Anne Fege and Jim Absher; "An Ozone Alert System That Guides Prescribed Fire Permits" by James T. Paul, Daniel Chan, and Alan Dozier; and "Franklin Awards Salute Achievements in Cooperative Fire Protection" by Melissa Frey.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2007
• Fire Management Today: Fire Policy Frictions (Volume 65 No.4, 2005)

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  This issue of Fire Management Today features an article about wildfire policy titled "Reconciling Frictions in Policy To Sustain Fire-Dependent Ecosystems" by Jerry Williams. Other articles include "Lessons From the 2003 Fire Siege in California" by Jon E. Keeley; "Chaparral Fuel Modification: What Do We Know-- and Need To Know?" by Jon E. Keeley; "The Effects of Fire on Rare Plants" by Wayne Owen and Hutch Brown; "The Digi-Tall Complex: A Look at the Future?" by Ken Frederick and Mike Benefield; "Los Alamos Project: Reducing Fire Hazards in the Wildland/Urban Interface" by Susan DiMauro; "The Big Blowup's Impact on an Idaho Town" by Ron Roizen and Jim See; "An Updated Rate-of-Spread Clock" by Jeremy Kolaks, Keith Grabner, George Hartman, Bruce E. Cutter, and Edward F. Loewenstein; "Ecological Restoration in Montana's Western Larch" by Hutch Brown; "Two Golden Smokey Awards Presented for 2004" by Lewis F. Southard; and "Fire Management Today Announces 2004 Photo Contest Winners" by Madelyn Dillon.

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  2005
• FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues [Updated August 27, 2014]

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  From the Program Purposes: "The purpose of the original pre-disaster hazard mitigation pilot program, known as Project Impact, as well as the successor Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program, has been to implement hazard reduction measures prior to a disaster event. Those measures are similar to those actions taken following a disaster under the authority of the Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The range of eligible projects might include retrofitting public buildings against hurricane-force winds or seismic damage, acquiring and relocating properties out of a flood plain, elevating structures in a flood plain, flood-proofing public buildings, managing vegetation to mitigate against wildfires, or constructing or converting public spaces into 'safe rooms' in tornado-prone areas."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brown, Jared T.; McCarthy, Francis X.

  2014-08-27
• Potential FEMA Emergency Sheltering Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic [June 24, 2020]

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  From the Document: "Some hazards (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) may result in evacuations and displacement of survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) are responsible for coordinating emergency sheltering support after a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may complicate efforts to provide sheltering in typical congregate settings. This Insight discusses potential emergency sheltering models previously used by FEMA and challenges posed by COVID-19, as well as policy considerations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.

  2020-06-24
• Curriculum Recommendations for Disaster Health Professionals: Disaster Behavioral Health, Second Edition

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  From the Introduction: "A wide variety of extreme events produce psychological, social, and biological sequelae labeled with terms such as stress, trauma, grief, and bereavement. These consequences are experienced by individuals, families, workplaces, schools, communities, and nations. They result from causal factors that are natural, human-generated, or both. While all disasters are extreme events, not all extreme events would be considered disasters. [...] This document focuses on the general topic of disasters and other extreme events. For the purposes of this document, disasters are considered: 1) extreme events in which needs of the impacted population and/or area exceeds the local response and recovery resources, and external resources must be utilized (e.g., pandemics, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes); and 2) events in which local resources may be fully utilized and not be exceeded (e.g., mass violence, terrorism, industrial accidents, chemical spills), but result in adverse psychological and behavioral responses for affected individuals and communities that are similar to other disasters in which resources are exceeded. More disaster behavioral health training for healthcare professionals, including behavioral health personnel, is being conducted today than ever before. Despite this, few healthcare professionals receive education on the unique psychological and behavioral impacts of disaster events during formal training programs. The vast majority of training occurs after degree conferral and is frequently experiential. Specific training in disaster behavioral health for most healthcare professionals is rare."

  National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (U.S.); Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

  Flynn, Brian W., Ed.D.; Vance, Mary C.; Morganstein, Joshua C.

  2020
• Forest Service Appropriations: Five-Year Trends and FY2016 Budget Request [February 4, 2015]

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  "The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of the National Forest System, as well as for conducting forestry research and providing assistance to state, local, private, and international forest owners. Funding to complete such work is provided through both discretionary and mandatory appropriations. In FY2015, the FS received $5.53 billion in both discretionary and mandatory appropriations. The FY2015 discretionary appropriation was $5.06 billion, slightly above the five-year average of $5.00 billion. FS discretionary appropriations are primarily divided among six main accounts: Forest and Rangeland Research (FRR); State and Private Forestry (S&PF); National Forest System (NFS); Capital Improvement and Maintenance (CI&M); Wildland Fire Management (WFM); and the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve account established under the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-88). The agency then allocates the appropriations from these accounts among the nine FS regions, five research stations, two service stations and laboratories, and national headquarters. Discretionary appropriations average 88% of the agency's total appropriations over the last five years."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hoover, Katie

  2015-02-04
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 2, January 14, 2021

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "IAFF [International Association of Fire Fighters] recognizes January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month"; "Nashville bombing highlights critical communications services provided by FirstNet"; "NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association] updates wildfire detection and smoke forecasting tools"; "Emergency Services Sector cybersecurity best practices"; and "Cyber Threats."

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2021-01-14
• Emergency Relief for Disaster-Damaged Roads and Public Transportation Systems [Updated October 9, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Disaster-damaged roads and public transportation systems are eligible for federal assistance under two U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs, the Emergency Relief (ER) Program administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Public Transportation ER Program administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The two programs have different histories and legal and regulatory authorities, but they share a similar intent and face some of the same issues. For example, there are concerns with both programs about the extent to which federally funded activities should go beyond restoring infrastructure to predisaster conditions, including so-called resilience projects. This report begins by discussing FHWA assistance for the repair and reconstruction of highways and bridges damaged by disasters (such as recent flood events, Western wildfires, and ongoing permanent repairs to damage from the 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria) or catastrophic failures (such as the I-5 overpass that was critically damaged in 2019 by an over-height truck near Chehalis, WA). The report includes information on the use of ER funds on disaster-damaged federally owned public-use roadways, such as National Park Service roads and U.S. Forest Service roads, under an affiliated program, the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program. This is followed by a discussion of FTA's assistance program, established in 2012, which has provided assistance to public transportation systems on three occasions, once after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, after the 2017 hurricanes, and in 2019 for major declared disasters in 2018."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kirk, Robert S.; Mallett, William

  2020-10-09
• Potential FEMA Emergency Sheltering Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated October 5, 2020]

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  From the Document: "Some hazards (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) may result in evacuations and displacement of survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) are responsible for coordinating emergency sheltering after a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA acknowledge that the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may complicate efforts to provide emergency sheltering. This Insight discusses emergency sheltering models used by FEMA, COVID-19-related emergency sheltering policies, and challenges faced by SLTTs supporting emergency sheltering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and policy considerations for Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.

  2020-10-05
• Summary Report: FY2014 Supplemental Appropriations [August 28, 2014]

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  "On July 8, 2014, the Administration requested $4,346 million in FY2014 supplemental appropriations to address two issues: the surge in both unaccompanied and escorted children illegally crossing the southwest border, and a shortfall in federal funding to pay the costs of wildfires. The appropriations were requested to be designated as emergency funding, meaning the requested funds would not count against the discretionary budget caps for FY2014. On July 23, 2014, the Senate introduced S. 2648, which includes $3,571 million in supplemental appropriations for the Administration's requested purposes as well as for defense assistance to Israel. S. 2648 would designate the appropriations as an emergency, meaning they would not count against the discretionary budget caps for FY2014. On July 29, 2014, the House introduced H.R. 5230, which included $659 million in supplemental appropriations to address the situation at the southwest border. The legislation also included $659 million in rescissions that would offset the budgetary impact of the bill. An amended version of H.R. 5230, which includes an additional $35 million to defray the cost to states of National Guard deployments to the southern border, $35 million more in offsets, and a different set of policy provisions, passed the House 223-189 on August 1, 2014. The primary focus of this report is the Administration's request for supplemental appropriations, and the appropriations legislation considered in response to that request. Other policy-related provisions of the legislation will be analyzed in other CRS [Congressional Research Service] materials."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Painter, William L.

  2014-08-28
• Summary Report: FY2014 Supplemental Appropriations [July 30, 2014]

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  "On July 8, 2014, the Administration requested $4,346 million in FY2014 supplemental appropriations to address two issues: the surge in both unaccompanied and escorted children illegally crossing the southwest border, and a shortfall in federal funding to pay the costs of wildfires. The appropriations were requested to be designated as emergency funding, meaning the requested funds would not count against the discretionary budget caps for FY2014. On July 23, 2014, the Senate introduced S. 2648, which included $3,571 million in supplemental appropriations for the Administration's requested purposes as well as providing funding for defense assistance to Israel. S. 2648 would designate the appropriations as an emergency, meaning they would not count against the discretionary budget caps for FY2014. On July 29, 2014, the House introduced H.R. 5230, which included $659 million in supplemental appropriations to address the situation at the southwest border. The legislation included $659 million in rescissions that would offset the budgetary impact of the bill. The primary focus of this report is the Administration's request for supplemental appropriations, and the appropriations legislation considered in response to that request. Other policy-related provisions of the legislation will be analyzed in other CRS [Congressional Research Service] materials. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Painter, William L.

  2014-07-30
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 7, February 18, 2021

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Roadway safety training resources for emergency operations, public safety"; "EMS [Emergency Medical Services] agency roles in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine delivery"; "New timeline of deadliest California wildfire could guide lifesaving research and action"; "Ransomware Factsheet for emergency response and government organizations released"; "IRS [Internal Revenue Service] warns of EFIN [Electronic Filing Identification Numbers] scam"; "270 service deposit addresses drive 55 percent of money laundering in cryptocurrency"; "New IoT [Internet of Things] Cybersecurity Act: Creating a floor for IoT security?"; and "Illinois is state hit hardest by cybercrime."

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2021-02-18
• Spreading Disease, Spreading Conflict? COVID-19, Climate Change and Security Risks

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  From the Summary: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has profound global impacts. Since the beginning of January 2020, there have been almost 30 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and almost one million deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While all countries have been affected, COVID-19 is hitting especially hard those that were already struggling with poverty and conflict. The lockdown measures and travel restrictions caused millions to lose their jobs and incomes, exposed inequalities in access to basic services and resources, and heightened the risks to safety and human rights for many. What is worse, the full brunt of the pandemic may only be felt much later. Many of the contexts affected by the pandemic are also experiencing the impacts of climate change, which have and will continue to exacerbate situations of fragility and conflict. There is widespread agreement among security experts that climate change is a risk multiplier and obstacle to peace. It adds to and compounds challenges such as increased resource demands and rapid population growth and urbanisation, thus exacerbating existing fragility and conflict risks. At the same time, climate change has not stopped for COVID-19 as the massive wildfires, record droughts and floods, unprecedented heat and storms that we have seen in 2020 remind us."

  adelphi

  Mosello, Beatrice; Foong, Adrian; König, Christian . . .

  2020-10