by WILLIAM H. AUSTIN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. When intentional acts of violence occur, people often wonder if the incident was preventable. For example, after a mass shooting killed 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, many were questioning the predictability of the gunman’s actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions.Narrated by Randy Vivian.

by WILLIAM H. AUSTIN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  When intentional acts of violence occur, people often wonder if the incident was preventable. For example, after a mass shooting killed 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, many were questioning the predictability of the gunman’s actions and the decision-making process of the responders. This article examines these questions. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Article Out Loud - Uvalde Shooting – A Predictable Surprise

by JOHN PENNINGTON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.Emergency management professionals are tasked with making their communities more resilient to future threats and disasters. However, emergency management leaders and their organizations must adjust and adapt to more than just response scenarios. For tribal emergency managers, this means following the principles that define an evolving emergency management fields while also navigating additional bureaucratic obstacles and adhering to their distinct cultural traditions and protocols.Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by JOHN PENNINGTON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Emergency management professionals are tasked with making their communities more resilient to future threats and disasters. However, emergency management leaders and their organizations must adjust and adapt to more than just response scenarios. For tribal emergency managers, this means following the principles that define an evolving emergency management fields while also navigating additional bureaucratic obstacles and adhering to their distinct cultural traditions and protocols. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud - Respecting Tribal Emergency Management

By RICHARD GREEN &amp; TIMOTHY PERCIFUL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 28, 2019.When there is a need for sheltering animals, there are several options – each comes with advantages and disadvantages. Conditions, agency policies, experiences, resources, or timing typically drive the decision as to what type of shelter is used. Regardless of the type of shelter utilized, the primary goal is to provide quality daily care until animals are reunited with their families or rehomed to new families.Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RICHARD GREEN &amp; TIMOTHY PERCIFUL, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, August 28, 2019. When there is a need for sheltering animals, there are several options – each comes with advantages and disadvantages. Conditions, agency policies, experiences, resources, or timing typically drive the decision as to what type of shelter is used. Regardless of the type of shelter utilized, the primary goal is to provide quality daily care until animals are reunited with their families or rehomed to new families. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud - Emergency Animal Sheltering Options

By RODNEY E. ANDREASEN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 06, 2016. Law enforcement officers, paramedics, and other responders have received extensive training in dealing with active shooters and the wounds resulting from active shooter incidents. However, the potential force multipliers in all these attacks that are just beginning to receive attention are the potential victims at the scene.Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RODNEY E. ANDREASEN, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 06, 2016.  Law enforcement officers, paramedics, and other responders have received extensive training in dealing with active shooters and the wounds resulting from active shooter incidents. However, the potential force multipliers in all these attacks that are just beginning to receive attention are the potential victims at the scene. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud -  Active Shooter - When Lock Down Is Not Enough

by PATTY RIDINGS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.Catastrophic earthquakes and a desire for residents to help their neighbors inspired the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Since its creation in 1986, CERT has become a nationwide program that continues to evolve. This article describes how a new digital solution is closing the credentialing gap between citizen responders and emergency services agencies to enhance whole-community resilience.Narrated by Randy Vivian.

by PATTY RIDINGS, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Catastrophic earthquakes and a desire for residents to help their neighbors inspired the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Since its creation in 1986, CERT has become a nationwide program that continues to evolve. This article describes how a new digital solution is closing the credentialing gap between citizen responders and emergency services agencies to enhance whole-community resilience. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Article Out Loud - Credentialing a Nation’s Volunteer Responder Network

by RICHARD SCHOEBERL &amp; W. COCHRAN PRUETT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.Despite the deaths of Islamic State and al-Qaida leadership, violent extremism is not gone. This article describes why, despite recent successful strikes against terrorist groups, intelligence agencies and others tasked with protecting their communities must stay vigilant. More strategic depth is needed to help reduce the possibility of the extremist groups’ resurgence.Narrated by Randy Vivian.

by RICHARD SCHOEBERL &amp; W. COCHRAN PRUETT, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Despite the deaths of Islamic State and al-Qaida leadership, violent extremism is not gone. This article describes why, despite recent successful strikes against terrorist groups, intelligence agencies and others tasked with protecting their communities must stay vigilant. More strategic depth is needed to help reduce the possibility of the extremist groups’ resurgence. Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Article Out Loud - Strategic Depth & the Fight Against Violent Extremism

By RODRIGO (RODDY) MOSCOSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 15, 2011The old saying that, "No matter where you go, there you are," has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news.Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

By RODRIGO (RODDY) MOSCOSO, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, June 15, 2011 The old saying that, "No matter where you go, there you are," has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud - The New PLAN: Government Alerts Enter the 21st Century

By BARRY KANNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 04, 2009.In times of sudden disaster, help may be just around the corner - particularly if a ham radio operator is living there. Their ranks are legion, they usually pay all of their own costs, and they are among the most highly skilled communicators in the country. That combination makes them especially valuable as invisible volunteers in the nation's domestic-preparedness community. Narrated by Randy Vivian

By BARRY KANNE, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 04, 2009. In times of sudden disaster, help may be just around the corner - particularly if a ham radio operator is living there. Their ranks are legion, they usually pay all of their own costs, and they are among the most highly skilled communicators in the country. That combination makes them especially valuable as invisible volunteers in the nation's domestic-preparedness community.  Narrated by Randy Vivian

Article Out Loud - Ham Radio - An Emergency Tool for Public Health

by JUDY KRUGER &amp; KYLE OVERLY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.Before 2019, partner agencies coordinated incident command primarily from a physical emergency operations center (EOC). This practice shifted to virtual EOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic for many agencies. Virtual EOCs can effectively address community needs through all phases of consequence management. Emergency management and partner agencies have found virtual on-scene coordination efficient, cost-effective, and flexible. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by JUDY KRUGER &amp; KYLE OVERLY, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Before 2019, partner agencies coordinated incident command primarily from a physical emergency operations center (EOC). This practice shifted to virtual EOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic for many agencies. Virtual EOCs can effectively address community needs through all phases of consequence management. Emergency management and partner agencies have found virtual on-scene coordination efficient, cost-effective, and flexible.  Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud - Successful Application – Virtual Emergency Operations Center

by HAILEY YORK &amp; LINDSEY LANE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal. Human trafficking is the world’s second-largest criminal industry. In the wake of natural disasters, the risk to vulnerable populations rises. This article informs preparedness and response professionals on how to better protect their communities and prepare their workforces to identify the signs of human trafficking, understand recruiting methods, consider pre-existing vulnerabilities, and learn other information to mitigate this growing threat.Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

by HAILEY YORK &amp; LINDSEY LANE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  Human trafficking is the world’s second-largest criminal industry. In the wake of natural disasters, the risk to vulnerable populations rises. This article informs preparedness and response professionals on how to better protect their communities and prepare their workforces to identify the signs of human trafficking, understand recruiting methods, consider pre-existing vulnerabilities, and learn other information to mitigate this growing threat. Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Article Out Loud - How Natural Disasters Exacerbate Human Trafficking

Presenting Audio Interviews with Federal, State and Local Homeland Security and Preparedness Professionals.

Domestic Preparedness and Homeland Security Audio Interviews

James Woolsey

Booz Allen Hamilton

Resilience

DomPrep's John Morton met with R. James Woolsey, Vice President, Global Resilience, Booz Allen Hamilton. The former Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) provides his insights into why first responders must be constantly aware of the limitations of intelligence and information-sharing - and, consequently, on the need to emphasize resilience, particularly in the area of command and control, over pure prevention.

R. James Woolsey, Vice President, Global Resilience, Booz Allen Hamilton

With the myriad of threats that communities prepare for, influenza pandemic is consistently at the top of the priority list. In recent years, strains such as H7N9 and H1N1 have caused concern among health officials. It is no mystery why, considering the 1918 influenza pandemic – which infected over 500 million individuals around the world and caused tens of millions of deaths. Domestic Preparedness Advisor Andrew Roszak recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of the world’s leading pandemic experts, Dr. Lisa Koonin. Dr. Koonin recently retired from a 30-plus year career at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was one of the leads for pandemic influenza preparedness and response efforts.In this podcast, Dr. Koonin reflects back on her years of service as a health official, discusses the importance of preparing for pandemic influenza, offers tips and suggestions on how organizations can begin thinking about preparing for pandemics, and offers advice to students seeking to start a career in public health. She also discusses the importance of partnerships and her new role as the founder of Health Preparedness Partners.

With the myriad of threats that communities prepare for, influenza pandemic is consistently at the top of the priority list. In recent years, strains such as H7N9 and H1N1 have caused concern among health officials. It is no mystery why, considering the 1918 influenza pandemic – which infected over 500 million individuals around the world and caused tens of millions of deaths. Domestic Preparedness Advisor Andrew Roszak recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of the world’s leading pandemic experts, Dr. Lisa Koonin. Dr. Koonin recently retired from a 30-plus year career at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was one of the leads for pandemic influenza preparedness and response efforts. In this podcast, Dr. Koonin reflects back on her years of service as a health official, discusses the importance of preparing for pandemic influenza, offers tips and suggestions on how organizations can begin thinking about preparing for pandemics, and offers advice to students seeking to start a career in public health. She also discusses the importance of partnerships and her new role as the founder of Health Preparedness Partners.

Podcast – Pandemic Influenza: Advice & Suggestions From an Expert

H. Steven Blum

DomesticPreparedness met with Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard Bureau. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau provides an update on how Guard units are supporting states in their domestic missions, while also serving as forward-deployed assets for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) in responding to a national incident or event. Also: An in-depth discussion on Vigilant Guard, last month’s series of exercises at the Indiana Guard’s interagency Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC), which simulated the multi-agency response to a 10-kiloton nuclear detonation.

Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief National Guard Bureau

In this podcast, DomPrep Advisor Andrew Roszak talks with NDPC Chairman Colonel Alphonse Davis, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), and Jeffrey Mayne, ​director of ​Louisiana State University’s NCBRT, to learn more about the Consortium, its partners, the trainings offered, and its ability to adapt to the nation’s constantly changing training needs. For example, recent shooting incidents have increased the demand for campus emergency active shooter programs. The NDPC has created a standardized training model that is applicable to all emergency management disciplines. The training courses are offered at no cost to local, state, and tribal agencies. As of 31 December 2017, the NDPC has trained more than 2.7 million participants.

Bringing Specialized Training to All Communities

Jack Beall

DomPrep's John Morton met with Jack Beall, Director, National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). The director of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) briefs the state-of-play in NDMS components. Citing the response to Hurricane Katrina as the largest deployment ever of NDMS assets, he draws parallels between NDMS and National Guard activations.

Jack Beall, Director, National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)

In this podcast, Domestic Preparedness Advisor and attorney Andrew Roszak discusses the importance of enhancing legal preparedness capacity before disasters. He is joined by Tina Batra Hershey, JD, MPH, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and the associate director of law and policy at the Center for Public Health Practice.

Approach the Bench – Preparing Judges for Disasters & Emergencies

With so many graduate degrees available, it can sometimes be confusing to know which to pursue when entering the world of emergency and disaster preparedness and response. DomPrep Advisor Andrew Roszak addressed one broad-based degree that covers many areas critical for managing disasters. In this podcast, Dr. Randolf Burnside of Southern Illinois University’s Political Science Department and Dr. Anirudh Ruhil of Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs share their insight about the Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree and how it can help prepare professionals for jobs in both the public and private sectors.

MPAs & Disasters

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency related to the opioid crisis. Indeed, overdoses and deaths from opioids have skyrocketed over the past decade. In 2017, deaths from opioids were six times higher than in 1999. Opioids impact the quality of life and longevity, as well as have tremendous social and economic impacts on communities throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse costs over $78 billion per year.This podcast, recorded on 24 September 2019, includes EMS professionals with decades of experience. This podcast explores the issues surrounding the opioid epidemic, explains how EMS is handling this new public health crisis, and discusses the possible unintended consequences of making Narcan available to citizens.

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency related to the opioid crisis. Indeed, overdoses and deaths from opioids have skyrocketed over the past decade. In 2017, deaths from opioids were six times higher than in 1999. Opioids impact the quality of life and longevity, as well as have tremendous social and economic impacts on communities throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse costs over $78 billion per year. This podcast, recorded on 24 September 2019, includes EMS professionals with decades of experience. This podcast explores the issues surrounding the opioid epidemic, explains how EMS is handling this new public health crisis, and discusses the possible unintended consequences of making Narcan available to citizens.

Podcast: Opioid Epidemic & Narcan’s Unintended Consequences

In 2017, many natural and manmade disasters affected communities across the United States. Each of these disasters posed many public health challenges, including funding, interagency, and workforce issues. Two subject matter experts,  Director Cheryl Petersen-Kroeber from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response and Deputy Director Harry Bruce (Jeff) Jeffries Jr. from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Division of Health Protection, share their lessons learned from these disasters and provide insight on public health concerns that need to be addressed. This is Segment 1 of a two-part interview.

Public Health Preparedness: Segment 1

DomesticPreparedness met with Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Chief Preparedness Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Chief Preparedness Officer, HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt's principal advisor on bioterrorism and other public health emergencies, addresses the guiding principle “one team, one fight.” In his remarks, he discusses the team-orientation approach used by the Public Health Service (PHS), the transfer of the National Disaster Management System (NDMS) to HHS, and the emphasis on building local capacity buttressed by regional support.

Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Chief Preparedness Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

In 2017, many natural and manmade disasters affected communities across the United States. Each of these disasters posed many public health challenges, including funding, interagency, and workforce issues. Two subject matter experts,  Director Cheryl Petersen-Kroeber from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response and Deputy Director Harry Bruce (Jeff) Jeffries Jr. from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Division of Health Protection, share their lessons learned from these disasters and provide insight on public health concerns that need to be addressed. This is Segment 2 of a two-part interview.

Public Health Preparedness: Segment 2

Watching the video of crew members from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Munro board and interdict a self-propelled, semi-submersible drug-smuggling vessel on 18 June 2019 is exciting. Their actions were heroic and highly productive. Because of that bravery, 39,000 pounds of cocaine and 933 pounds of marijuana worth a combined estimated $569 million was seized. For the average person, the video is thrilling. However, for the U.S. Coast Guard, it was just another day in the office. DomPrep salutes the men and women of the USCG who are “Always Ready” to prevent the next maritime disaster and respond to the call when needed.DomPrep’s Publisher, Martin (Marty) Masiuk recently conducted a podcast interview with DomPrep Advisor CDR Joseph J. Leonard Jr. (USCG, ret.) to hear his reaction on this extraordinary drug seizure. Joe then elaborates on the many missions that the Coast Guard conduct every day.

Watching the video of crew members from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Munro board and interdict a self-propelled, semi-submersible drug-smuggling vessel on 18 June 2019 is exciting. Their actions were heroic and highly productive. Because of that bravery, 39,000 pounds of cocaine and 933 pounds of marijuana worth a combined estimated $569 million was seized. For the average person, the video is thrilling. However, for the U.S. Coast Guard, it was just another day in the office. DomPrep salutes the men and women of the USCG who are “Always Ready” to prevent the next maritime disaster and respond to the call when needed. DomPrep’s Publisher, Martin (Marty) Masiuk recently conducted a podcast interview with DomPrep Advisor CDR Joseph J. Leonard Jr. (USCG, ret.) to hear his reaction on this extraordinary drug seizure. Joe then elaborates on the many missions that the Coast Guard conduct every day.

Podcast: Just Another Day in the Office for the United States Coast Guard

Robert P. Kadlec

DomesticPreparedness met with Dr. Robert P. Kadlec, Director, Biodefense and Public Health Practice, PTRM Management Consultants. The key architect of the 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazard Preparedness Act, which established the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides his insights on homeland-security medical countermeasures implementation, procurement, and organization for advanced research and development.

Dr. Robert P. Kadlec, Director, Biodefense and Public Health Practice, PTRM Management Consultants

DomesticPreparedness met with Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security to discuss his views on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the DNDO partnerships with state and local agencies, and a broad spectrum of forward-looking R&amp;D programs and initiatives.

Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security

During September 2017, two major Category 5 hurricanes impacted the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than one year later, the scope, scale, and magnitude of Hurricanes Irma and Maria are still being felt. DomPrep Advisor Andrew Roszak recently sat down to conduct a podcast with Chance Lindner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to learn more about the state of recovery and how EMS is seeking to deploy a community paramedicine model to better serve the needs of the islands.

Hurricanes & Islands – One Year Later

Kevin Yeskey

DomesticPreparedness met with Kevin Yeskey, M.D., Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Preparedness and Emergency Operations, HHS. A high-level HHS preparedness official gives his views on improvements to the department’s preparedness and emergency operations programs; the transfer of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) from DHS to HHS; NIMS compliance efforts; and state drug and vaccine distribution programs.

Kevin Yeskey, M.D., Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Preparedness and Emergency Operations, HHS

On 22 March 2018, DomPrep Advisor Andrew Roszak spoke with Dr. David Dyjack, director of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), about the field of environmental health as it relates to disaster response and mitigation as well as overall community resilience. Unlike public health, which specializes in the social and policy realms, the field of environmental health is scientific and technically oriented to ensure that communities are safe from various environmental contaminants and allergens.

Protecting Food, Air, and Water: Environmental Health

On 2 February 2018, DomPrep Advisor Andrew Roszak held an exclusive interview with J. Matthew Massoud, case manager for Monroe County Social Services. In this podcast, Massoud shares his experience from the Florida Keys as his community continues to recover from Hurricane Irma. He offers tips for others who may someday find themselves in a similar situation, and provides possible approaches for filling the gaps when federal assistance is no longer available.

Hurricane Recovery – The Price of Paradise

Launched by Methodist minister William Booth and the East London Christian Mission in 1865, The Salvation Army provides services during both daily operations and times of disaster. More than just thrift stores and bell ringers, The Salvation Army provides small- and large-scale disaster relief – from house fires to major hurricanes. This “Army of Good” includes about 5,000 officers, 60,000 employees, and more than 1 million volunteers located in 26 countries and across the United States.

Post-Disaster Relief – An Army of Volunteers

Thomas J. Lockwood

DomPrep’s John F. Morton met with Thomas J. Lockwood, Director, Office of National Capital Region (NCR) Coordination, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discuss Lockwood's views on the need to work in close coordination with the Washington, D.C., Council of Governments, the prioritization of all-hazards security plans, integrated training requirements, &amp; the special roles played by regional CIOs &amp; CTOs.

Thomas J. Lockwood, Director, Office of National Capital Region (NCR) Coordination, DHS

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Relationships & Love

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!