In January 2025, Major Rhonda Lawson of the Texas Department of Public Safety discussed her journey into domestic preparedness with Domestic Preparedness Marketing Coordinator Nicolette Casey.

Learn how Major Lawson incorporates preparedness principles into her law enforcement role as an operations liaison.

Now to the featured podcast.

This is an article by Joanmarie Verrico Wallster and Michael Prasad, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 22, 2025.

Nonmedical concerns such as security and safety, unaccompanied minors, and governmental relations can adversely impact a hospital when responding to a mass-casualty incident. Failure to plan for these issues, including consequence management, could risk life and safety.

Learn how mass-casualty incidents should be managed as complex incidents.

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This is an article by John Johnson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 22, 2025.

Opioid deaths have surged dramatically since the pandemic. Manufacturers exploit legal loopholes and use precursor chemicals that often evade detection and regulation.

Learn about new and growing threats that present challenges to public safety and demand innovative solutions and a proactive approach.

Now to the featured article.

In 2005, the Superdome in New Orleans served as a mass shelter and accommodated over 25,000 people during Hurricane Katrina. Those accommodations, though, were inadequate, with limited power, plumbing, and other resources. To avoid a similar scenario, the Mission Ready Venue Initiative enables stadiums to be a resource for immediate assistance following a disaster and to be fully prepared in advance.

Learn how stadiums are becoming vital resources during disasters.

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This is an article by Christy Anderson, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 15, 2025.

In 2024, senior officials from hospitals, healthcare organizations, public health, emergency management, and other responder communities convened at two workshops to share the lessons they learned as leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about how communities can better prepare for the next biothreat.

Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Greg Hoffnung, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 8, 2025.

Despite their critical role in disaster response, public works agencies are not always included in the emergency planning process. Key steps can help ensure that these and other agencies can more effectively respond to the next disaster.

To bridge planning gaps, learn how to better integrate public works into emergency response efforts.

This is an article by Jamie Hannan and Kristina Clark, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 8, 2025.

During a derecho in May 2024, Texas agencies contacted and conducted wellness checks on residents with disabilities or with functional and access needs. One tool facilitated the process, sharing critical information about registrants to the emergency responders and planners who needed to know. Learn about this collaborative process.

Now to the featured article.

This is an article by Douglas Yeung and Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, December 26, 2024.

AI’s ability to ingest and synthesize data on hazards and vulnerabilities could prove invaluable in addressing one of the biggest long-standing challenges of emergency management: truly engaging the whole community.

Learn how to engage the whole community with AI as a tool, ensuring that emergency management benefits all who need it.

This is an article by Glenn Fueston and Michael Breslin, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, December 26, 2024.

From the rise of advanced criminal networks and borderless crimes to the persistent hurdles of limited resources, inadequate training, and outdated tools, law enforcement departments navigate an increasingly demanding landscape.

Learn how big data and artificial intelligence can help build and maintain this critical public safety workforce.

This is an article by Alex Hagen and Jon Barr, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, December 18, 2024.

Recent research into the relationship between AI and emergency management uncovered an environment prepared for AI-based solutions. While AI must overcome some infrastructure hurdles, technologies to prevent, mitigate, and recover from emergencies are on the horizon.

Learn how much research is connecting challenges with AI solutions and how the next generation is ushering them in.