Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Published by De Gruyter

Volume 13 Issue 3

Issue of Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available November 12, 2016

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

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Opinion

November 8, 2016

Biodefense Spending and Waste: Impact on Public Health Initiatives

Erin Lynne Kelly, Adam Zola, Monica Strzalkowski, Benjamin Macmillan, Gavin Macgreggor-Skinner

Page range: 295-300

Abstract

While the threat of bioterrorism carries with it strong emotions of fear and panic, the likelihood-adjusted fatality rates for a horrific bioterror event pale in comparison to that of an infectious disease like influenza. Based on this assumed risk of occurrence, the likelihood-adjusted fatality rate of a bioweapon attack is 900 deaths per year as compared to 36,000 deaths per year for influenza. The FY2016 budget for biodefense was $1.4 million in comparison to $1.2 million for pandemic influenza and emerging diseases. In addition to poor allocation of funds based on actual risk, the biodefense budget lacks government oversight, has poorly defined objectives and unnecessary redundancy. Streamlining the budget and appropriating funds with more emphasis on actual risk would allow an increase in essential areas of public health.

Research Articles

October 20, 2016

An Innovative System to Enhance Situational Awareness in Disaster Response

Bukhtiar Mohsin, Friedrich Steinhäusler, Pierre Madl, Maximilian Kiefel

Page range: 301-327

Abstract

A collaborative decision support system has been developed to enhance situation awareness in case of complex disasters. It includes three modules: (1) UAV carrying multiple sensors; (2) Computer-based expert system (CES); (3) 2D-plume dispersion model. This research focuses on how contemporary technology, combined with commercial off-the-shelf-technology, can be used to fuse information and speed up decision-making. The system provides a context based common operational picture for first responders on scene, and incident commanders in control rooms. The research was conducted in close collaboration with different first response teams, to develop an end user oriented system. We present the design process the regulatory requirements, and the end user needs that will help future developers of such systems. We also highlight some of the areas where further research effort is required. The core system has been evaluated by local police and fire departments, and an EU review team including medical and firefighting practitioners.

November 8, 2016

Rethinking Crisis Communications on Campus: An Evaluation of Faculty and Staff Perceptions about Emergency Notification Systems

H. Jaymi Elsass, Joseph M. McKenna, Jaclyn Schildkraut

Page range: 329-349

Abstract

The use of emergency notification systems on college and university campuses nationwide have been a focus since the 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech. In the aftermath, many of these institutions sought to install new emergency notification systems, or overhaul existing systems, to alert students in the event a similar incident took place on their campus. Researchers also began to focus on these systems by exploring their implementation and effectiveness; despite such advances in the literature, however, a noticeable gap persists. Specifically, much of the research focuses on the technology rather than the users themselves. Conducted at a large southwestern university, the present study sought to narrow this void by examining the perceptions and employment of the system by a key group of users – faculty and staff members – who often are considered the first line of defense in emergencies on campus. The findings not only highlight the continued need for multimodal notification systems, but also better education and training with relation to their use to increase user engagement and improve overall operations. Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and related policy implications for universities also are discussed.

October 12, 2016

Disaster Preparedness Resource Allocation and Technical Support for Native American Tribes in California

Rachel I. Lawrence, Atif Adam, Semran K. Mann, Walleska Bliss, Jesse C. Bliss, Manjit Randhawa

Page range: 351-365

Abstract

Purpose: The evaluation aims to assess emergency preparedness (EP) among Native American tribes in California to inform future development of priorities and strategies for improvement. The analysis explores funding barriers and gaps in resource availability. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to explore four aspects of EP: 1) perceptions of preparedness; 2) funding mechanisms; 3) resource availability; and 4) plans for future preparedness efforts. The survey was conducted online, by telephone, fax, or mail. Analysis includes National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) compliance, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval of disaster mitigation plans. Results and Discussion: Findings represent 40% of the federally-recognized California tribes. Participants included: tribal chairpersons and administrators, emergency services managers, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and environmental directors. Results indicated low awareness of funding regulations and instructional opportunities yet high interest; high dependency on external EP response resources; and needed improvements in community involvement. Conclusion: Partnerships with local emergency preparedness and academic organizations and improved communication are recommended to bridge gaps in resources and awareness. This evaluation provides one of the first systematic assessments of EP achievements and gaps among Native American tribes in California. Future studies are needed to explore these preliminary findings.

Publicly Available August 29, 2016

A Systems-Of-Systems Conceptual Model and Live Virtual Constructive Simulation Framework for Improved Nuclear Disaster Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation

Matthew Davis, Michael Proctor, Buder Shageer

Page range: 367-393

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Abstract

Nuclear disasters have severe and far-reaching consequences. Emergency managers and first responders from utility owners to local, state, and federal civil authorities and the Department of Defense (DoD) must be well prepared in order to rapidly mitigate the disaster and protect the public and environment from spreading damage. Given the high risks, modeling and simulation (M&S) plays a significant role in planning and training for the spectrum of derivate scenarios. Existing reactor models are largely legacy, stove-piped designs lacking interoperability between themselves and other M&S tools for emergency preparedness system evaluation and training. Unmanned systems present a growing area of technology promising significant improvement in response and mitigation. To bridge the gap between current and future models, we propose a conceptual model (CM) for integrating live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) models with nuclear disaster and mitigation models utilizing a system-of-systems (SoS) approach. The CM offers to synergistically enhance current reactor and dispersion simulations with intervening avatar and agent simulations. The SoS approach advances life cycle stages including concept exploration, system design, engineering, training, and mission rehearsal. Component subsystems of the CM are described along with an explanation of input/output requirements. A notional implementation is described. Finally, applications to analysis and training, an evaluation of the CM based on recently proposed criteria found in the literature, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

July 30, 2016

The Use of Social Media by Alleged Members of Mexican Cartels and Affiliated Drug Trafficking Organizations

Justin Nix, Michael R. Smith, Matthew Petrocelli, Jeff Rojek, Victor M. Manjarrez

Page range: 395-418

Abstract

Focusing on Mexican cartels and affiliated drug trafficking organizations, this article examines how self-proclaimed cartel members use social media to further the criminal activities of their organizations. Employing an open-source, intelligence-driven methodology, the authors identified, followed, and mapped the connections between and among 75 alleged cartel members over a period of 4 months. Results indicated that cartel members actively use Facebook to plan, organize, and communicate in real-time. These findings provide tentative validation to the utility of using open-source social media platforms to study the social structure and operations of Mexican drug cartels. Implications for law enforcement, homeland security, and the intelligence enterprise are discussed.

About this journal

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About the Journal
Created in 2004, the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (JHSEM) is an online journal that publishes original, innovative, and timely articles describing and assessing research and practice in the fields of homeland security and emergency management. JHSEM publishes not only peer-reviewed articles but also opinion, news/communiqués, and book/media reviews. Its electronic format allows us to leverage communication technologies in order to accumulate and disseminate the latest knowledge on a broad range of related topics in a timely and inexpensive manner.

Mission
JHSEM promotes a comprehensive and dynamic perspective, providing readers with up-to-date information regarding the evolving nature of the homeland security and emergency management fields. Recognizing the inherent links between these two fields, the journal aims to serve as a bridge between them, encouraging exploration of their underlying relationships, interactions, and synergies.

JHSEM’s mission is propelled by the conviction that in fields that share significant operational elements, such as homeland security and emergency management, both researchers’ and practitioners’ insights are needed for success; in isolation, their perspectives can offer only partial views of the reality. Accordingly, JHSEM also aims to serve as a bridge between the researcher and practitioner communities, facilitating the kind of collaboration and coordination that enables them to appreciate and benefit from the associated implications and inherent connections in their fields. It is only from the intersection of these two perspectives and the interchange of ideas that the most compelling knowledge, novel insights, and best practices can emerge.

A critical part of JHSEM’s mission is to enrich the perspectives of researchers and practitioners in the homeland security and emergency management fields so that they are better able to address the increasingly complex issues before them. To this end, JHSEM encourages an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the expanding boundaries of these two disciplines by including such content as public health, cyber security, and environmental policy.

Among JHSEM’s key objectives are to

• Meet the need for peer-reviewed, high-quality, wide-ranging professional articles in the fields of homeland security and emergency management
• Augment the work of the existing professional societies and single-discipline publications in these fields
• Follow developments in the two fields and offer new information and analysis as they become available
• Serve the needs of both the academic and practitioner communities by providing a high-quality platform for information sharing, collaboration, and exchange of ideas in an efficient and economical way.