The New America Foundation recently released a publication titled “All Disasters Are Local. Resilience Should Be, Too,” about the upsurge being observed in natural disasters and steps that can be taken to be better prepared. The report is a summary of presentations and talks from various experts and participants who...
Fentanyl safety video allows first responders to limit exposure
FEMA’s newly updated National Planning Frameworks were released late last week, including updates to comply with PPD-21, Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, and EO 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, among others. The five frameworks, Prevention; Protection; Mitigation; Response; and Recovery, were last updated in May of 2013 and aim to foster a...
Collaboration is the heart of Homeland Security. At the Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL), resources from numerous government agencies, private sector entities, think tanks, nonprofits, and universities are collected, organized, and presented to strengthen the national security of the United States. The task would be impossible without the support, hard...
Disasters can strike in an instant. While impossible to prevent, preparation can decrease the amount of suffering and increase the ability to bounce back. In light of this, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HSS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has launched a new...
Photo: “An intersection which separates the State of Vermont and the Province of Quebec. The international boundary transects buildings on Church Street in Derby Line, Vermont, and Rue Church in Stanstead, Quebec, highlighting the close relationship between local first responders who frequently cross the border to render aid.” The Canadian Interoperability...
“In today’s globally connected society, an infectious disease epidemic anywhere can soon become an emergency everywhere.” On October 6, 2014, Texas Governor Rick Perry issued Executive Order RP79, authorising the creation of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. This task force is a direct result of the Ebola cases...
From 2000 to 2013, 160 ‘active shooter’ incidents have occurred in 40 of 50 states and the District of Columbia. The casualties of these shootings, both victims killed and wounded, have totaled 1,043. Nearly 40% of these active shooter incidents can be defined as a “mass killing” (“three or more”...
Planning for infrastructure emergencies and quarterbacking recovery efforts after natural disasters are two mainstays of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This summer, the Agency released its newest Strategic Plan for 2014-2018, which outlines the goals for the organization in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s Quadrennial Homeland Security...
