Domestic Preparedness

By ELSTON JOHNSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, October 04, 2023. The Water and Wastewater Systems Sector is one of 16 sectors identified as critical infrastructure under the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. Domestic Preparedness invited a subject matter expert to answer questions about this sector, including how the sector and its interdependencies can af...

By RICK CHRIST, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, October 04, 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, plans’ failures had little to do with the genomic sequence of the virus and more about what these plans were not: familiar, equitable and inclusive, interconnected and scalable, clear and actionable, and resilient. Narrated by Madison Leeves.

By MARK HOWELL AND LAUREL RADOW , An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 27, 2023. A solar eclipse is a unique form of special event that does not always fall under emergency planning protocols, but it should. This article urges preparedness professionals to collaborate with eclipse planning committees to ensure the safety and security of all those involved. Narrated by Madi...

By CORINA SOLÉ BRITO, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 27, 2023. Violence in healthcare facilities significantly challenges patients, providers, support staff, visitors, and first responders. However, healthcare-specific information and tools can help protect staff, patients, and others in these facilities. Narrated by Madison Leeves.

By RICHARD GREEN AND ELIZABETH SERCA-DOMINGUEZ, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, April 22, 2015. Recent events have shown how some people risk their lives for their pets. This 2015 article describes how to reduce or eliminate situations that endanger community members, animals, and first responders. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler. 

By CHRISTINE THOMPSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, July 15 2012. Social media has come a long way since this article was published in 2012. However, the emergency response capabilities described continue to expand as remote responders are called to action. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By JUNE ISAACSON KAILES, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 20, 2023. Emergency planners often identify volunteer disaster registries as a solution for assisting people with disabilities during a disaster. However, registries have flaws. Learn about eight common registry problems and the author’s better solutions that should be considered. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By DAN SCHERR & TANYA SCHERR, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 20, 2023. Cyberattacks on healthcare systems affect millions of patients each year. It is critical for agencies and organizations to build a culture of compliance and awareness for the system’s security and the safety of the patients. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By MARY SCHOENFELDT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 13, 2023. There is a cost to caring for others, but it does not need to be a lifelong debt that continues to overwhelm the people who stepped up and those around them. The cost can be manageable with the right plan of support and the willingness to explore coping options. Narrated by Madison Leeves.

BY JOHN F. MORTON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, June 27, 2007. In light of the recent Russian nuclear threat, emphasis on prevention should remain at the forefront. This 2007 report weighed the merits of emphasizing prevention versus response. It's a good time to revisit this. Narrated by Madison Leeves.

By ADAM MONTELLA, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, October 22, 2008. This 2008 article serves as a reminder to stay vigilant with continued preparedness and not forget the ongoing recovery efforts from many areas recently affected by disasters. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By PAUL GUNNELS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 13, 2023. This author reflects on his team’s direct mission to New York in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, commonly referred to as 9/11, to consider if communities are more prepared today than they were in 2001. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler

By JERRY MOTHERSHEAD, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, October 19, 2005. An emergency medicine physician shared this in-depth article in 2005 outlining 10 key action items needed to protect communities during a pandemic. Will these actions be implemented before the next pandemic? Narrated by Madison Leeves. 

By JAMES P. HOWARD Ⅱ, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 06, 2023. Targeted-violent events threaten staff and students’ physical, psychological, and emotional well-being in public schools. However, the increasing frequency of these incidents raises concerns about the preparedness of incoming teachers and current staff to handle such incidents. Narrated by Madison Leeves.

By ROBERT C. HUTCHINSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, September 06, 2023. Although smallpox was eradicated from its human population and reservoir, it is still in designated stockpiles controlled by two nations and possibly in other unknown locations. Learn about the possible threat and the need for greater preparedness and discussion. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By ROB SCHNEPP, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, January 26, 2005. Many emergency preparedness professionals want to make the nation safer and more secure. However, some of the same challenges described in this 2005 article, such as hospital staffing, still need to be addressed. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By Jordan Nelms, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, February 16, 2011. The “Three Ts of terrorism” described in this 2011 article remain critical components for analyzing a terrorist attack and finding information to help determine the source of the attack. Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

By Danielle Arias, Jesse Spearo & Kelley L. Davis, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, August 23, 2023. Targeted-violent events threaten staff and students’ physical, psychological, and emotional well-being in public schools. However, the increasing frequency of these incidents raises concerns about the preparedness of incoming teachers and current staff to handle such incident...

By Roy Thun, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, August 23, 2023. July 2023 was the world’s hottest recorded month in history. Increasing heat events increase the risk of wildfires. However, good land and waste management practices can significantly prevent and mitigate the risk and consequences of these events.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By Catherine Feinman, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, March 16, 2011. The Hospital Ship USNS Comfort has been carrying out disaster-relief, humanitarian-assistance, and combat-casualty missions since 1987. Learn about this floating hospital's capabilities from this 2011 article. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

By JEFFREY D. SIMON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, March 13, 2013. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of American adults reported feeling lonely. A lack of engagement can have serious health effects for socially isolated individuals and implications for the work of emergency management professionals.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RICHARD (KIRK) HIGGINS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, August 16, 2023. The availability of non-prescription medications may mean the difference between a successful deployment and needing to return home ahead of schedule. As such, first responders should consider non-prescription medication kits as part of their pre-deployment planning. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RYAN PUTMAN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness, August 16, 2023. Being able to recreate complex hazardous materials incidents in a classroom setting teaches life-saving lessons in a safe environment. Advances in virtual and augmented reality training systems provide instructors with new tools to train the next generation of first responders.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson. 

By ROBERT C. HUTCHINSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal Flashback, November 14, 2007. This 2014 article describes the goals and challenges that the world would soon face with COVID-19. Revisit this article to prepare for, identify, and prevent the spread of the next public health threat. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

On August 3, 2023, Domestic Preparedness hosted a panel of five emergency management professionals who discussed today’s recruitment and retention challenges. Listen to their advice today!