Domestic Preparedness

This is an article by Joshua Dise & Anthony Falzarano, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 9, 2025.  In today’s complex threat environment, the ability to move from pathogen detection to action depends on infrastructure and intentional integration between laboratory science and first response.   Learn to create an agile, informed, and resilient health security system capable o...

This is a conversation with Lori Tremmel Freeman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). In this conversation with Teresa Farfan, Publications Specialist for Domestic Preparedness, Ms. Freeman discusses how NACCHO is helping its members, over 3,300 local health departments across the nation, with resources, support and advocacy...

This is an article by Richard Schoeberl and Anthony (Tony) Mottola, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 25, 2025.  Multidisciplinary teams are inherently collaborative and benefit intricate police cases and vulnerable populations. Adopting the expertise of professionals in medicine, social work, forensics, and more, these teams deliver a more thorough and efficient response than a...

In this interview with Nicolette Casey Phillips, Fire Chief Jeffrey J. Wittig discusses his career and the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). Wittig began his long career as a volunteer, driven by a desire to help his community. TIFMAS, established in 2007, mobilizes local resources for state emergencies, with nearly 300 departments and over 11,000 registered personnel. Wittig highl...

This is an article by Robert Hastings, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 25, 2025.  As disasters become more frequent, states face pressure to expand response capacity without raising costs. With stretched National Guard resources, limited federal support, and finite mutual aid, states have an overlooked resource: Title 32 State Defense Forces.  Learn more about this trained and...

This is an article by Mark Howell, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 18, 2025.  Mitigation is essential to managing wildfires. As fire seasons grow longer and more costly, responders should be pre sponders, and mitigation experts may participate in response.   Learn how coordinated efforts to prevent wildfires are a proven strategy to address the next fire season.  Now to the fe...

This is an article by Robert Leverone, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 18, 2025.  Modern disasters highlight the critical need for effective crowd control and management, especially when people are deprived of essential resources. The role of specialized law enforcement units in managing crowds is vital to ensuring that disaster response efforts can reach and assist victims ef...

This is an interview with The Honorable Craig Fugate, a podcast by Domestic Preparedness, June 11, 2025.  Hon. Craig Fugate, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, discusses his philosophy of emergency management with Domestic Preparedness Journal Marketing Coordinator Nicolette Casey-Phillips. From overseeing record-breaking disasters to transforming emergency management, Mr....

This is an article by Mathew Perrill, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 11, 2025.  For many service members, the transition from the military to a civilian workforce can be challenging. They have been trained in a specialized skill set and now must determine how to effectively apply those skills in civilian employment.  Learn how veterans can find the vocational purpose they are...

This is an article by Joshua Dise and Marshal Wilson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 11, 2025.  Carcass management is rarely top of mind for emergency managers, but during mass animal deaths, it tests preparedness, coordination, and public trust.  Learn how to close this critical gap and boost community resilience.  Now to the featured article. 

This is an article by Ethan Beaty, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 6, 2025. Scouts have been trained to stay calm under pressure, take meaningful action in moments of uncertainty, and support others in times of crisis. Their role in emergency response should not be underestimated. Learn more about this valuable resource to emergencies and resilient communities. Now to the feat...

This is an article by Susan Cohen, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 4, 2025. Service dogs do far more than guide or retrieve—they are medical equipment, trained to monitor, alert, and even intervene during a health crisis. For first responders, understanding these working dogs can mean the difference between life and death. Learn how service dogs can be partners in emergency re...

This is an article by Jennifer Stansberry Miller, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 28, 2025. In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identificat...

This is an article by I. David Daniels, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 28, 2025. Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster....

In this podcast, meet Philip Klotzbach, Ph. D., a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. He sits down with DPJ marketing coordinator Nicolette Casey and discusses how seasonal hurricane forecasts are developed and how emergency planners can use them effectively. 

This is an article by Emily Heard, an Article Out Loud fromDomestic Preparedness, May 21, 2025. Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychologicaleffects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Learn how to help children cope with these challenges by providing psychosocial support. Now to the fea...

This is an article by Adrienne J. Heinz, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 21, 2025. Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery. Learn how she used those experiences to serve as...

This is an article by Diana Sanchez-Vega, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 14, 2025. Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Learn how effectively addressing these challeng...

This is an article by Pascal Rodier, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 14, 2025. First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. Learn how to support first responders by fully integrating mental wellness into recruit training...

This is an article by Mary Schoenfeldt, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 7, 2025.  Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress, and secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership.  Learn how vital managing stress is for effective...

This is an article by Camilo Olivieri, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 7, 2025.  First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their o...

This is an article by Greg Hauser, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 30, 2025.  Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invi...

This is an article by Cory Davis, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 30, 2025.  In an era of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the demands on first responders have never been greater. To navigate high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations, reliable connectivity and cutting-edge technology are essential.   Learn how a fast, secure, and resilient communications networ...

This is an article by Gabe Elias, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 23, 2025.  Decades of work have improved public safety’s ability to share information. However, the journey toward better interoperable communication requires uncovering additional hidden barriers.  Learn how to examine response operating procedures to uncover those hidden barriers.  Now to the featured article...

This is an article by Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 23, 2025. As satellite-to-cell tech grows more common, cell phone makers must move quickly to adopt it. This link can bridge emergency services and the public, no matter the disaster or condition of ground networks. Learn how real-time satellite communication offers vital access and resilience for...