Domestic Preparedness

This is an article by Rashmeet Gujral, Gintu James, and Rosemary McDonnell, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 2, 2026. During a mass casualty incident, even experienced personnel can struggle to quickly understand where they fit within an unfamiliar command structure. North Shore University Hospital developed incident command management boards to make reporting relationships and responsibilities immediately visible during an emergency. Learn how strategic whiteboards help staff and external partners integrate into a hospital’s incident command structure with minimal delay. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by June Isaacson Kailes, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 2, 2026. Strengthening trust as an overarching element in public-facing communication during emergencies means recognizing that even the best alerts and updates fail if people do not trust them. Learn how trust grows through deliberate systems that consistently deliver information that people can verify, understand, and use, which makes it an essential outcome of preparedness. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and guest Rebecca Jowers discuss the realities of human trafficking, the misconceptions that often prevent people from recognizing it, and the importance of education, prevention, and survivor-centered care. Learn how communities can identify vulnerabilities, support victims, and build stronger networks of protection for those at risk. 

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and Editor-in-Chief Cathy Feinman sit down with Dee McCown, whose career spans service as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army (including two tours in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment), the FBI, international corporate security, and emergency preparedness training. Drawing on experiences ranging from sensitive counterterrorism operations to international kidnap case management in more than 150 countries, McCown discusses leadership, risk management, interagency cooperation, and the importance of anticipating threats before they become crises. He also reflects on lessons learned from 9/11 and explains why preparedness begins with integrity, awareness, and a mindset dedicated to tirelessly “working the problem” until the mission is complete. 

This is an article by Richard Schoeberl, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 26, 2026. Despite a historic drop in violent crime, a more dangerous threat is taking its place. Political violence is accelerating as targeted attacks and extremist activity reshape the public safety landscape. Learn how it is forcing law enforcement to rethink how it prevents violence. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Judy Kruger, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 26, 2026. In a world of accelerating change, technology-driven innovation can help public safety and emergency management agencies prepare for emerging situations. Learn how games and simulations strengthen communication and decision-making by helping teams practice with real-time data before high-risk situations. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips sits down with hazardous materials expert Chris Hawley to discuss the preparedness gaps that continue to challenge communities across the country. Drawing on nearly four decades of hazmat and weapons of mass destruction response experience, Hawley explores chemical transportation risks, interagency coordination, responder training, emerging detection technologies, and lessons learned from incidents ranging from rail derailments to post-9/11 biological threats. He also shares why critical thinking, preparation, and knowledge-sharing remain essential to protecting communities from tomorrow’s hazards.

This is an article by Jeff Bolettieri, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 19, 2026. Across the United States, Chinese underground banking networks have used illicit massage businesses as powerful engines for money laundering and human trafficking. As law enforcement shifts from raiding storefronts to dismantling the financial networks behind them, learn how the fight has become less about prostitution and more about disrupting a sophisticated transnational criminal enterprise. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Sarah Adams, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 19, 2026. Before a disaster, warning signs are usually apparent. The challenge is overcoming the instinct to dismiss them while there is still time to act. Learn how recognizing signals while they are still weak can make the difference between reacting to a crisis and preventing one. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and Cathy Feinman are joined by Robert Baird, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and former director of fire and aviation management for the U.S. Forest Service across all 18 forests across the state of California, to discuss pyroterrorism as an emerging asymmetric threat. Robert emphasizes the importance of preparedness before fires strike and of staying ahead of communications during fire events. 

This is an article by Christopher Hawley, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 12, 2026. America’s emergency response system has grown stronger by learning from every major terrorist attack. Learn how the real challenge is ensuring that those lessons endure, because any community with critical assets could become the next target. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Lauren K. Hagy and Beth Daviess, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 12, 2026. Warning signs often appear prior to acts of targeted violence. While these indicators can foreshadow an impending threat, they too often go unrecognized or fail to prompt action. Learn about the critical step to take to stop an attack before it begins. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Tim Long, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 5, 2026.Hostile incidents that threaten the public have, in recent times, also been threatening responders. To protect response personnel, agencies must move beyond experience alone. Learn how to build a cycle of planning that strengthens coordination while protecting personnel before the next crisis strikes.

This is an article by Gary L. Sigrist Jr., an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, August 5, 2026.School safety is not built by technology alone. The schools that are most successful at keeping firearms out of their buildings create a culture that recognizes concerns and takes action before there is a threat to campus. Learn how prevention can begin long before a crisis unfolds.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips is joined by Dr. Kevin T. Crouse, the chief information security officer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, to discuss the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and the future of cybersecurity in emergency preparedness. Dr. Crouse stresses the importance of cybersecurity as a public safety function and recognizes the challenge of teaching people to use it ethically and responsibly. Learn how to embrace continual change and learning in an ever-evolving threat landscape. 

This is an article by Judy Kruger and Seán Sebastian, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 29, 2026. Artificial intelligence can help turn complex data into timely decisions and maintain operations, even during crises and staffing constraints. Learn about the downsides of excessive use for human performance and well-being even amid the benefits this automation can have on government agency operations. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Justin Snair, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 29, 2026. Organizations can lose critical operational knowledge when experience after a disaster is reduced to documents that omit the reasoning behind key decisions. Before artificial intelligence can turn past lessons into better decisions, organizations must modernize their data. Learn how treating preparedness as a continuous operation builds cumulative knowledge to improve future responses. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and editor-in-chief Cathy Feinman discuss with Kelly Adley, a former law enforcement officer and leader within FirstNet built by AT&T, how disaster communications resources support first responders. Drawing on experiences from events such as Hurricanes Laura and Helene, the Maui wildfires, and floods in Texas, he emphasizes that each disaster presents unique challenges that require flexibility. This discussion highlights FirstNet’s role in building partnerships and restoring connectivity when power grids and communication networks are impacted by natural hazards. 

This is an article by Joshua Dise, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 22, 2026. Industrial disasters rarely follow the orderly sequence described in emergency plans. They often begin during routine operations then grow through cascading failures while responders face changing hazards and limited information. Learn how emergency managers can prepare for conditions that are far more unstable than plans often assume. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Victoria Kluge, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 22, 2026. Tabletop exercises confirm that a plan exists, but game-based exercises reveal whether an organization can execute when the plan begins to fail. Learn how game-based exercises can expose vulnerabilities before a real incident by exposing decision breakdowns that compliance-focused exercises leave hidden. Now to the featured article.

Transportation resilience depends as much on coordination as infrastructure. In this interview, Josh Rodriguez of AASHTO explains why effective preparedness begins long before a disaster occurs and how formal mutual aid transforms emergency response into a planned capability.

This is an article by Dan Smiley, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 15, 2026.As more maritime vessels adopt alternative fuels, the dedicated funding and response machinery of the U.S. maritime casualty response system, which was built around oil spills, leaves a dangerous gap. When an incident occurs, responders can find themselves without the funding mechanism or response architecture that an oil-fueled casualty would automatically trigger. Learn why this gap must close before an inevitable alternative fuel–driven emergency. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Gregory C. Smith, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 15, 2026. Disaster responders spend their careers helping people through tragedy, but the emotional toll of that work often lingers long after the crisis. Beyond fatigue and burnout, many responders face a lasting psychological burden that comes from witnessing suffering and facing situations beyond their control. Learn what organizations can do to recognize and address the hidden costs carried by those who serve on the front lines. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Terrence Walker, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 8, 2026. One industrial incident can trigger far-reaching consequences and disrupt multiple systems. Coordinated planning and training can uncover gaps and improve response efforts for interconnected systems. Learn how organizations that plan and train across sectors are better prepared to manage disruptions and sustain operations during a crisis. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Daryl Schaffer, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 8, 2026. From senior leaders allocating scarce resources to responders making split-second triage calls, lives often depend on judgments shaped by experience and circumstance. Behind every rescue are difficult decisions about who can be saved, what risks are acceptable, and how limited resources should be used. Learn how responders and leaders must act with incomplete information, even while carrying the weight of those decisions long after the disaster ends. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and editor-in-chief Catherine Feinman speak with Haley Elkins, a public health professional specializing in biosecurity, disaster planning, and behavioral health. The conversation explores how partnerships between public health and critical infrastructure are evolving to support more coordinated and effective emergency response efforts. From workforce resilience to disaster behavioral health, listeners will gain insight into how communities can strengthen their preparedness by fostering stronger partnerships.

This is an article by Jeff Semancik, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 1, 2026. Advanced reactors promise safer nuclear power with smaller emergency planning zones and fewer expected off-site impacts. But emergency planners and responders must still be prepared to handle new hazards introduced by advanced reactor designs. Learn how planners who engage communities early and plan thoroughly will be best positioned to maintain public trust when an incident occurs. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by William “Bill” Loucks, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, July 1, 2026. Fentanyl deaths have been declining, but far more potent substances, including nitazenes and novel psychoactive substances, are expanding in the illicit drug supply, raising overdose and accidental-exposure risks. Since these emerging drugs are harder to identify and more difficult to reverse, learn how first responders should understand what they are dealing with and why they should always take precautions. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and editor-in-chief Catherine Feinman speak with Dr. Lisa Koonin, a leading public health preparedness expert with decades of experience at the CDC. From pandemic preparedness to future “Disease X” scenarios, the conversation explores the growing importance of collaboration between public health agencies, emergency management, and the private sector in an evolving public health landscape. 

This is an article by Joshua Dise, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 24, 2026. A single screwworm case is a real-world test of whether the animal health response architecture can recognize a threat early enough to stop it from spreading. Learn how rapid reporting and coordinated response can be the difference between a localized incident and a broader agricultural security crisis. Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Bruce Clements, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 24, 2026. The 2014 Dallas Ebola case was a single infection that triggered a community-wide emergency, exposing weaknesses not in medicine, but in communication, healthcare readiness, and public trust. Many of those same challenges resurfaced during COVID-19 and other recent outbreaks. Learn how successful infectious disease response depends on strong partnerships and plans that are tested before a crisis begins. Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips sits down with National Weather Service Director Kenneth Graham to explore how the nation’s premier weather agency is transforming the way it supports emergency management and public safety. Drawing on decades of frontline forecasting experience, Graham shares how the Weather Service is shifting from simply issuing forecasts to delivering real-time, decision-focused support directly to those on the front lines. From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and emerging AI-driven forecasting tools, discover how stronger partnerships, innovative technology, and a renewed focus on actionable intelligence are helping communities better prepare for and respond to extreme weather. 

This is an article by Svetlana Smorodinsky, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 17, 2026Embedding public health and disaster epidemiology professionals into planning, response, and recovery can strengthen decision-making and improve responder safety. It can break down silos between disciplines and expand capacity without adding staff, turning data into action. Learn how embedding disaster epidemiology saves lives and builds more resilient agencies and communities.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Raphael M. Barishansky, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 17, 2026.Federal programs like the Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement and the Hospital Preparedness Program sustain the public health and healthcare systems that communities depend on during crises. Learn how shifts in responsibility from federal to state agencies could impact capabilities and critical preparedness activities.Now to the featured article.

State and local public health workers, emergency managers, and partners in faith-based organizations are rooted in wanting to help people during disasters. In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips and editor-in-chief Cathy Feinman sit down with Jack Herrmann, the senior director of Clinical Services for the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross, to hear about his experience in working with communities and leading volunteers through high-stress disaster responses.

This is an article by Cory Davis, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 10, 2026.As extreme weather risks intensify, public safety agencies, infrastructure, and communications systems are under growing strain. But rising complexity is being met with smarter solutions. Learn about a new era of emergency response that is taking shape, driven by artificial intelligence and resilient, high-performance connectivity.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Justin Snair, Emma Erwin, and Sarah K. Miller, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 10, 2026.COVID-19 exposed major preparedness gaps, and AI has evolved as a resource. Yet procurement remains risky: organizations must navigate data security, compliance, workflow, and ethical concerns without a clear way to evaluate vendors. Learn how existing frameworks assess governance and technical risk, but rarely address domain expertise and operational fit, which are factors that often determine whether a tool succeeds or fails.Now to the featured article.

In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, Lieutenant General Russell Honoré reflects on how U.S. emergency preparedness has evolved since Hurricane Katrina. While he notes significant progress in emergency response practices, he also describes the complexity of disaster response and recovery. The growing challenge of misinformation highlights how technology enables real-time communication but also can fuel confusion during crises. Disaster response planning must consider the factors that impact some communities more than others. His advice to emerging leaders is to remain adaptable and committed to addressing the increasingly complex risks they will face. 

This is an article by Judy Kruger, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 3, 2026.The airline industry has become an active part of the defense system against disease threats, actively investing in readiness to monitor emerging pathogens among passengers and linking them to new technology. Learn how additional real-world prevention strategies could reduce the chance that a new disease is introduced into the U.S. through air travel.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Justin Templeton, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 3, 2026.Emotional injury may not take responders off the job, but it changes how they connect with family, friends, and each other. Left unaddressed, those effects shape organizational culture long before leaders recognize the damage. Even though trauma is unavoidable in an emergency, learn how readiness depends on how well organizations sustain dutiful responders.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Julia Beems, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 27, 2026.Despite life-or-death stakes during a power outage, too many people who rely on powered medical equipment still lack backup power, disaster plans, or the financial means to secure them, leaving communities more vulnerable during large-scale emergencies. Learn how expanding access to backup power protects individuals, reduces evacuations, and strengthens whole-community resilience.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Daisy Cadet, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 20, 2026.Author Daisy Cadet uses her experience as a Deaf person with disabilities to demonstrate disparities in disaster communications and response. Emergency management systems must close persistent accessibility gaps for people with disabilities. Learn how intentional planning and design affects these populations who face disproportionate challenges before, during, and after emergencies.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Judy Kruger, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 19, 2026.Accreditation signals that an organization meets recognized benchmarks and operates at a recognized level of quality and capability. Learn how it strengthens emergency management programs by setting clear standards that improve accountability and build resilience, while supporting grant eligibility, mutual aid agreements, and professional credibility.Now to the featured article.

Stronger public-private partnerships and regional collaboration are important to community readiness. In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, Nicolette Phillips of Domestic Preparedness talks with Tony Robinson from National Emergency Management and Response about how rising disasters and cyberthreats are reshaping national preparedness and how mentoring the next generation will build a more resilient nation. 

This is an article by John T. Briery, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 13, 2026.Effective emergency management increasingly relies on a “whole community” approach that integrates individuals with access and functional needs (AFN). Learn how implementing the C-MIST (Communication, Maintaining Health, Independence, Support and Safety, Transportation) framework, a function-based model, helps prioritize continuity and reduce disaster impacts on AFN populations

This is an article by Shawna Sisler, Shannon Goodhue, and Jack Herrmann, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 13, 2026.Disasters disproportionately affect people with disabilities, older adults, individuals managing chronic conditions, and others with access and functional needs (AFN). Despite federal recognition of AFN through frameworks such as C-MIST, gaps persist in shelter design, medical continuity, and behavioral health response. Learn how recent innovations by humanitarian organizations and local public health agencies illustrate how this integrated model can reduce preventable harm and protect dignity during emergencies.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Ron Cain, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 6, 2026.Nerve agent attacks and pesticide poisonings are rare, but when they occur, emergency medical services (EMS) and hospitals may quickly exhaust their limited supplies of specialized antidotes. Learn how many communities can address this vulnerability with CHEMPACKs, pre-positioned containers of medications available to EMS and hospitals.Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Terrence Walker, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 6, 2026.Disaster response operations focus on logistics, personnel deployment, and infrastructure restoration. However, one persistent challenge continues to impact recovery outcomes: effective documentation. Learn how recovery operations can be delayed and how reimbursement processes slow for agencies and contractors without structured documentation practices in place before an incident.Now to the featured article.

“Old-school” communication systems continue to save lives when conventional networks fail. In this episode of Domestic Preparedness: The Podcast, host Nicolette Phillips sits down with public health and emergency management leader Eduardo “Eddie” Olivarez to explore the enduring role of amateur radio in modern disaster response. From 9/11 to Hurricane Maria and beyond, learn how resilient, community-driven communications remain a critical pillar of preparedness. 

This is an article by Eric K. Stern, Unal Tatar, Brandon Behlendorf, and Thenkurussi Kesavadas, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 29, 2026.AI is accelerating digital interdependence and automating advanced cyberthreats, increasing the likelihood of cyber crises across industries. As threats evolve, resilience efforts must prioritize innovation and agility. Learn how the Cyber Incident Response Studio brings together academic, practitioner, and technology expertise in a hands-on “sandbox” where public and private professionals collaborate to test ideas, explore emerging technologies to develop solutions, and refine strategies for coping with complex cyber incidents.Now to the featured article.