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Emergency Preparedness and Response

Selected Research, Commentary and Congressional Testimony

Concrete Closets Under Manufactured Homes Could Save Lives — Feb. 23, 2008

Mobile homes destroyed by tornado

Tornado deaths and injuries are the predictable result of poorly conceived construction patterns that threaten to reverse the benefits that have resulted from advanced storm warning and forecasting capabilities, writes Charles Meade.

Live Operators Crucial for Public Health Department Disease-Reporting Hotlines — Jan. 2, 2008

Emergency response call center

Public health departments that staff disease-reporting hotlines with live operators at all times are more likely to meet federal guidelines designed to help stop the spread of infectious diseases.

Preparing for the Psychological Consequences Following Large-Scale Emergencies — Dec. 31, 2007

Public health clinic

New training manuals provide a curricula that can be used to train hospital and clinic staff as well as department of mental health staff on how to prepare for and respond to the psychological consequences of large-scale disasters.

A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack — Dec. 11, 2007

Train

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

An Economic Redevelopment Plan for New Orleans — Nov. 28, 2007

New Orleans

New Orleans should craft a comprehensive economic redevelopment plan that combines public- and private-sector funding with a centralized structure. Total operating costs could run between $2 million and $3 million per year.

Evidence-Based Planning Will Be Critical to a Successful 2012 London Olympics — Nov. 28, 2007

Runners in London

Planning a successful Olympics in London in 2012 will require organizers to learn from the successes and problems of past games in the areas of transportation, infrastructure and security.

Victims of Terrorism Have Significant Influence on Policy and Legislation — Nov. 20, 2007

A fireman in front of an American flag

Since September 11, 2001, organized groups of families and friends have emerged to become a powerful voice in U.S. counterterrorist policy and legislation. These groups have been successful in establishing the 9/11 Commission and implementing its most important recommendations.

Mental Health Risks for Residents Displaced by Wildfires — Oct. 25, 2007

Evacuees from wildfile, photo by Jonathan A

Residents who have been displaced by the wildfires may experience serious mental health problems. Up to one-third of the residents displaced by the San Diego area fires in 2003 showed symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and major depression three months later.

Natural Disaster Research Could Help Reduce Economic Losses — Oct. 25, 2007

California wildfire 2007, photo by David S. Roberts

The nation may be able to reduce losses from disasters such as wildfires and floods if more research focused on how to protect people, buildings and infrastructure.

Schools Not Sustaining Mental Health Aid to Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina — Oct. 18, 2007

Depressed student in school hallway

Despite strong initial efforts to support the mental health needs of students displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many schools have not been able to fulfill students' mental health needs over the long term.

Repair and Replacement of Affordable Housing Lags in Mississippi's Post-Katrina Recovery — Sep. 27, 2007

House under construction, photo courtesy of FEMA

While construction permits have been issued for approximately 60 percent of the housing damaged by Hurricane Katrina, repair and replacement of multi-unit housing significantly lags behind repair and replacement of single-family homes in three coastal counties in Mississippi heavily damaged by the hurricane.

Katrina Proved We Must Do Better Job of Protecting Our Protectors — Aug. 13, 2007

Ambulance workers

Protecting our [emergency] protectors is more than just the right thing to do; it is critical to maintaining America's capability to respond to future disasters, writes Brian A. Jackson.

Lessons Learned from the Army's Response to Hurricane Katrina — Jun. 4, 2007

This is a satellite image of the devastaing Hurricane Katrina moving through the Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Army should change the way it plans for domestic emergencies to better support state and local first responders.

Is America Prepared for Disaster? — May 30, 2007

Government and the private sector have spent billions of dollars since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in an effort to make America more secure. The money for this ramped up security has come from all of us, collected in the taxes we pay and in higher prices for the goods we buy. [But] How prepared is America for the next terrorist attack or natural disaster?, writes Brian A. Jackson.

Public Health Preparedness Lessons for Responding to Agricultural Bioterrorism — May 15, 2007

Chickens in a cage

An exercise in responding to agricultural bioterrorism examined the intentional introduction of avian influenza in commercial poultry operations during a severe human influenza season. The scenario enabled exploration of a range of issues associated with public health preparedness for major disease outbreaks.

Aiding Children in Long-Term Recovery from Traumatic Events — Apr. 17, 2007

Teens comforting each other

RAND has released a toolkit that shows how to provide school-based mental health programs for students exposed to violence, natural disasters and other traumatic events. The toolkit will enable schools to help students displaced by natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Key Components for Public Health Emergency Preparedness — Apr. 5, 2007

Preparedness Exercise

A panel of experts convened by the RAND Corporation has recommended actions that communities around the United States should take to be better prepared to deal with bioterrorist attacks, pandemic flu outbreak and other large-scale public health emergencies.

Improving Recruitment and Retention in the New Orleans Police Department — Mar. 30, 2007

Police officer on CB

Giving junior officers pay raises they already have earned would provide the most immediate boost to the New Orleans Police Department in its effort to slow an exodus of officers that began after Hurricane Katrina hit the city.

When Students Disappear… — Feb. 21, 2007

Kids on a bus in Louisiana, photo courtesy FEMA

Fifty-three thousand students disappeared from Louisiana's public school system after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Another 10,000 enrolled temporarily after the storms and then departed. They did not return to the state's public schools for the remainder of the 2005-06 school year, writes John F. Pane.

Identifying Ways Shopping Centers Can Sharply Reduce Terrorism Risk — Feb. 12, 2007

woman carrying bags in shopping center

A high-priority set of six to 10 security measures can cut terrorism risk to just one-fifteenth the level it would otherwise be at enclosed shopping centers. Measures include: public information campaigns encouraging people to report suspicious packages; searching kiosks for bombs and weapons; and more.

Nearly Half of CA Hospitals Unprepared to Meet Deadlines for Seismic Safety — Jan. 18, 2007

Earthquake damage in Northridge CA, photo courtesy of FEMA

Thirteen years after the devastating Northridge earthquake, a new analysis shows that almost half of California hospitals will not meet seismic safety standards by a 2013 state deadline.

Assessing Public Health Emergency Preparedness — Dec. 18, 2006

In this article, emerging measurement techniques are identified that may help address some of the challenges that are associated with measuring and assessing emergency preparedness. Several key questions and current approaches to public health emergency preparedness are also reviewed.

Many Louisiana Students Displaced by Hurricanes May Suffer Academically — Nov. 29, 2006

Student getting on bus, photo courtesy of FEMA by Andrea Booher

The vast majority of the 200,000 Louisiana students displaced from their public schools by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita missed weeks or more of school, and most did not return to their original schools by the end of the 2005-06 school year. As a result, many may experience long-term academic problems.

Advanced Planning Important for Flood Recovery — Oct. 23, 2006

Flooding, photo by Liz Roll courtesy of FEMA

Experience shows that communities recover fastest from major floods when all levels of government and the private sector work together to prepare coordinated response plans ahead of time.

Maritime Terrorism Risk Extends Beyond Dangers Posed to Container Shipping — Oct. 16, 2006

Cruise ship

Maritime counterterrorism efforts should not only focus on the security of cargo container ships, rail cars and trucks. Cruise ships and ferry boats need more protection against terrorist attacks that could kill and injure many passengers and cause serious financial losses.

Racial Profiling Won't Stop Terror — Oct. 11, 2006

At a time when America needs Muslim support to combat terrorism, authorities need to consider the impact of profiling policies carefully. It is perfectly legitimate to subject travelers to additional inspection because of their passport and nationality, or because of their recent international travel indicated by passport stamps, or because of their behavior. But focusing only on young Muslim men will send a message to terrorists that they can evade detection by sending people who do not fit this profile on deadly missions, write K. Jack Riley and Greg Ridgeway.

Speed Low-Risk Travelers Through Increased Security — Sep. 04, 2006

The Transportation Security Administration's ban on carrying liquids and items such as shaving cream and toothpaste onto airplanes is slowing down travel at Los Angeles International Airport and other airports around the United States, and has imposed restrictions that are not sustainable, write K. Jack Riley and Henry H. Willis.

Are We Prepared? Not Quite — Aug. 27, 2006

Nearly five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a year after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Pittsburgh region and the rest of the United States have improved their ability to respond to emergencies. But more can and should be done, writes K. Jack Riley.

Tighten Up Mass-Transit Security — Aug. 22, 2006

While the foiled terrorist plot to use liquid explosives to blow up airliners bound from Britain to the United States has again focused attention on terrorism in the skies, action also is needed to increase security on a far more vulnerable form of mass transit: commuter trains, subways and buses, writes Peter Chalk.

Mississippi Comeback — Aug. 20, 2006

The chief lesson of [Mississippi's] rebuilding experience is that if you have limited funds and other resources, simply spending money on the myriad problems of disaster recovery is not enough. Spending should be guided by research and analysis, not guesswork and politics, write George Penick and K. Jack Riley.

Border Security and the Terrorist Threat — Aug. 08, 2006

Testimony by K. Jack Riley

"[The U.S. has] woefully underinvested in developing, evaluating, and refining a comprehensive and integrated border security strategy. We have invested in numerous border security programs and initiatives but the impacts and costeffectiveness of virtually all of these initiatives is poorly understood."

Analyzing Terrorism Risk — Jul. 25, 2006

Over the last four years, Congress and the Department of Homeland Security have made tremendous progress in maturing homeland security policy... The next step in this process will be to focus on risk reduction and cost effectiveness, but the U.S. Government currently is in the early phases of moving in this direction, writes Henry H. Willis.

Evolution of Public Health Systems Due to Increases in Preparedness — Jul. 21, 2006

Public health agencies are being affected by public health preparedness in a variety of ways, including the emergence of new partnerships and technologies, changes in the workforce, and evolving organizational structures. Challenges remain for the integration of preparedness with other public health functions.

Public Health Preparedness — Jun. 2006

Microbiologist examines pandemic flu virus, photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control/Greg Knobloch

The U.S. faces a number of serious public health threats, ranging from the immediate to the longer term. RAND Health researchers investigate a wide range of issues that could significantly affect our nation's public health, now or in the future. Key areas of research include the global threat of infectious diseases, terrorism and bioterrorism preparedness, state and local readiness, and the mental health effects of terrorism and violence.

Early Detection Key to Controlling Smallpox Outbreaks — Jun. 21, 2006

A review of the literature describing smallpox outbreaks in post-World War II Europe and North America revealed that the majority of outbreaks were controlled within a few generations when detected early. Early detection and implementation of control measures can reduce the magnitude of outbreaks and may be crucial to minimizing the effects of a biological attack.

Action Needed to Speed Rebuilding in Hurricane-Damaged Mississippi — Jun. 8, 2006

Photo by Marvin Nauman/FEMA

Tens of thousands of Mississippi families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes last year will have a hard time finding replacement housing in the state unless leaders in government and the private sector take action to accelerate the rebuilding of affordable housing.

Police Personnel Crisis Needs Federal Leadership — May 23, 2006

Communities around the United States are having a hard time recruiting and retaining police officers. They need help from the federal government to meet enormous new challenges that go far beyond traditional local crime-fighting duties, writes Jeremy Wilson.

Protecting Emergency Responders at Large Building Collapses — Apr. 24, 2006

emergency responders

In an effort to reduce the extent of injuries like those suffered by emergency responders at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, RAND has proposed guidelines to better protect responders from the chemical, biological and physical hazards that exist following the collapse of large buildings.

RAND Gulf States Policy Institute Aids Recovery Efforts — Apr. 21, 2006

hurrican katrina disaster recovery

The RAND Gulf States Policy Institute is assisting in long-term recovery efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama by providing policy guidance to facilitate and speed regional recovery and growth, re-establish services, and inform wise investment in infrastructure.

Preparing Health Providers to Treat Trauma in Conflict-Affected Countries — Apr. 12, 2006

Doctor in Afghanistan

Extensive training in mental health services can better prepare primary healthcare providers to treat people traumatized by widespread violence in developing nations.

Information Sharing and Emergency Responder Safety Management — Mar. 30, 2006

Brian A. Jackson gave testimony before the House Government Reform Committee highlighting the processes and capabilities needed to keep responders safe at disaster response operations.

Public Health Preparedness in the 21st Century — Mar. 28, 2006

Nicole Lurie gave testimony before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness on how the United States can best make progress towards a national public health infrastructure with real-time situational awareness.

New Orleans Population Estimated to Climb to About 272,000 in 2008 — Mar. 15, 2006

News Orleans Repopulation

The population of New Orleans will likely reach about 272,000 in September 2008 – amounting to 56 percent of the population before Hurricane Katrina struck. A key factor determining how quickly people can return to the city is the availability of housing.

Few Homeowners Buy Flood Insurance When It Is Not Required — Feb. 21, 2006

Photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA Photo

Only about half of homeowners living in some of the most flood-prone areas of the United States buy federal flood insurance, leaving millions of families at risk for severe financial losses when floods strike.

Security Improvements Needed at Los Angeles International Airport — Feb. 17, 2006

Despite the high level of security at LAX, it may still be viewed by terrorist groups as an attractive target. The airport should reduce the density of people in unsecured areas and add permanent vehicle security checkpoints with bomb-detection capabilities.

Enhancing Emergency Preparedness in California— Jan. 26, 2006

In testimony before the California Little Hoover Commission, Michael Wermuth addressed the role of California and how it should be organized to effectively perform the full range of responses to large scale emergencies – preparedness, response, recovery and prevention, especially in regards to functional integration, chain of command, and management strategies.

Most Los Angeles Residents Unprepared for Terrorist Attack— Jan. 23, 2006

Ambulance Emergency

Although most Los Angeles County residents expect the region to be struck by a terrorist attack in the year ahead, only one-third have prepared for the aftermath of an attack, with African Americans and Latinos showing the highest levels of preparedness.

Project Evaluates Public Health Preparedness Exercises— Jan. 19, 2006

Preparedness Exercise

The Public Health Preparedness Database is a searchable database designed to help local and state public health departments identify the best exercises to prepare for emergencies, including incidents of bioterrorism.

Health Costs of Katrina — Oct. 10, 2005

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita took a devastating toll on their victims, tragically killing and injuring some and leaving many not only homeless but jobless — deprived of paychecks and employer-sponsored health insurance. Suddenly unable to pay their medical bills, these people — like many others who were poor and lacked health insurance before the hurricanes — now face a health care crisis.

Healing Storm Victims' Mental Health — Oct. 3, 2005

Victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are now faced with the task of coping with the psychological aftermath of the nightmare storms. Without a major national effort, many may not have the help they need to recover fully, write Kenneth B. Wells and Greer Sullivan.

Natural Disaster Research Could Cut Economic Losses — Jul. 15, 2003

hurricane katrina

Large property losses from floods, hurricanes, and other natural hazards could be reduced if federally funded research shifted away from weather forecasting and warnings toward better ways to protect people, buildings, and infrastructure.

Prepare for Disaster — Sep. 27, 2005

The glaring lesson in the aftermath of the largest emergency response and relief effort in U.S. history following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is that it is far less painful and expensive to prepare for disasters than to respond to them. We've seen the same lesson following earlier disasters, but have failed to learn its, write Tom LaTourrette and Ed Chan.

Get Proactive with Disasters — Sep. 27, 2005

Imagine if the Army's main strategy for protecting soldiers was to provide more ambulances, hospital beds, and doctors to treat the wounded — instead of relying on defensive measures such as fortifications, tanks, body armor and helmets to protect soldiers from being wounded in the first place. The strategy of responding only after attacks instead of adequately preparing to defend against them sounds absurd. But it is exactly what the federal government, states and localities have done when it comes to protecting people from disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados and volcanoes, writes Charles Meade.

New Approach Needed to Protect Emergency Responders — Jun. 16, 2004

firefighters

Better planning, training, coordination and management procedures are needed to protect emergency responders at the scene of terrorist attacks and disasters.

Katrina Shows Supply Chain Needs National Attention — Sep. 26, 2005

In its destruction of the Port of South Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina severed an important link in the supply chain that brings products from around the world to America and sends U.S. products abroad. An earthquake, other natural disaster or terrorist attack in Southern California could sever similar links at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with even more dire consequence, write David Ortiz and Henry H. Willis.

Let Sgt. Friday Fight Terror — Sep. 25, 2005

The suspected Al Qaeda videotape that aired recently and singled out Los Angeles for terror attacks should drive home a point to everyone in Southern California: Local law enforcement agencies need more tools to fight the people who are intent on slaughtering Americans, write Brian Michael Jenkins and Jack Weiss.

Defense Department Unprepared for Domestic Medical Emergencies — Oct. 27, 2004

Ambulance Emergency

In the event of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil—or even a naturally occurring incident such as a flu epidemic—the U.S. Department of Defense is limited in its ability to offer medical assistance to state and local authorities.

An Army Strategy for Homeland Security — Oct. 20, 2004

Although responding to terrorist attacks and other domestic emergencies is primarily a civilian responsibility, the U.S. Army has a role in filling gaps in civilian capability. The Army needs to decide whether it should hedge against the risk of not being adequately prepared.

Modeling Climate Change Threat Can Help Improve Policy Decisions — Apr. 7, 2005

Hurricane Modeling

Climate change presents decisionmakers with a fundamental quandary: how to address a potentially serious, long-term, and deeply uncertain threat. A project of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment seeks to address this problem through basic research and computer modeling.

Coping with Stress After Disaster — 2001

As survivors of natural disasters, violent crimes, and war attest, people who are victims or witnesses of a traumatic event often experience symptoms of stress, sometimes for years after. But events in recent years have taught us that individuals need not be present at a catastrophic event to experience stress symptoms.

Public Health Agency Responsiveness Needs Improvement — Aug. 30, 2005

Photo courtesy of CDC

Many local public health agencies around the United States are unprepared to quickly learn about and respond to naturally occurring outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases and to acts of bioterrorism.

Criteria for Improving Public Health Preparedness — Jun. 14, 2005

Preparedness Exercise

Emergency preparedness exercises are widely used throughout responder communities and critical for success in future public health emergencies. Criteria for evaluating these exercises should ensure their feasibility, reliability, and effectiveness.

Shipping Industry Needs Strategy to Reduce Terrorism Risk — May 24, 2005

The U.S. government should take a stronger role in developing a strategy to prepare the container shipping industry for terrorist attacks and to help the industry recover quickly if attacks occur.

Improving Global Health and Public Preparedness — May 12, 2005

Global Network

Drawing on RAND's expertise in health and foreign policy, the Center for Domestic and International Health Security strives to improve global health, prepare Americans to cope with the psychological effects of terrorism, and strengthen the U.S. public health system.

Twelve Best Practices for Public Health Preparedness — Apr. 20, 2005

Emergency Responders

U.S. state and local health departments have done much in the past three years to improve their bioterrorism and public health emergency preparedness. Twelve best practices can serve as examples for other communities.

Advance Efforts Can Reduce Damage of Chemical Terrorism — Apr. 1, 2005

Emergency Responders

Response to a chemical attack could be improved by implementing policies and providing equipment and training to the right individuals. A case study focusing on Los Angeles shows how planning now can save lives and reduce injuries in the future.

Anthrax Attacks Provide Lessons for Future Communication — Feb. 23, 2005

emergency responder

Analysis of communication problems during the anthrax attacks in 2001 suggest that exposed population groups should be enlisted to help public health authorities spread consistent and forthright information about health emergencies.

Role of Doctors Critical in Effective Public Health — Jan. 21, 2005

biohazard icon

During public health emergencies like the 2001 anthrax attacks, officials must provide clear, accurate information on an ongoing basis and integrate private physicians into the public health response.

Law Enforcement Agencies That Expect Attacks Are Better Prepared — Nov. 17, 2004

State and local law enforcement agencies that believe they are likely to face terrorist attacks are generally better prepared to respond than agencies less concerned about such attacks.

Pocket Guide to Surviving Terrorist Attacks — Sep. 15, 2004

A new pocket guide—available for home printers and Palm handhelds—focuses on simple steps individuals can take to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons.

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