Lynn I. Yang

A Systematic Methodology for Selecting Decontamination Strategies Following a Biocontamination Event

Decontamination and recovery of a facility or outdoor area after a wide-area biological incident involving a highly persistent agent (eg, Bacillus anthracis spores) is a complex process that requires extensive information and significant resources, which are likely to be limited, particularly if multiple facilities or areas are affected. This article proposes a systematic methodology for evaluating information to select the decontamination or alternative treatments that optimize use of resources if decontamination is required for the facility or area. The methodology covers a wide range of approaches, including volumetric and surface decontamination, monitored natural attenuation, and seal and abandon strategies. A proposed trade-off analysis can help decision makers understand the relative appropriateness, efficacy, and labor, skill, and cost requirements of the various decontamination methods for the particular facility or area needing treatment--whether alone or as part of a larger decontamination effort. Because the state of decontamination knowledge and technology continues to evolve rapidly, the methodology presented here is designed to accommodate new strategies and materials and changing information.

The role of integrated modeling and simulation in disaster preparedness and emergency preparedness and response: The SUMMIT platform

The Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, has developed the Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping, and Integration Toolkit (SUMMIT) as a geo-agile platform that enables users to discover and reuse models, integrate them quickly and economically, and apply them in analyses to improve the planning and execution of large and small exercises, planning efforts, and eventually response operations. The SUMMIT technology is innovative and promises to reduce the exercise cycle time by more than an order of magnitude. SUMMIT has been deployed to support National Level Exercises, regional exercises, and international exercises in Sweden, revolutionizing how exercises are designed and conducted. SUMMIT is now in the transition stage, from DHS S&T to the FEMA National Exercise and Simulation Center (NESC), where it will become available to the emergency management community. It will support the National Preparedness System[1] and integrate with the NESC Technology Platform in support of local, state, regional and national level exercises.

New technologies and processes for the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program toolkit

The Department of Homeland Security — Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with FEMA to investigate and assess new technologies and processes for an updated Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Enterprise Platform (EP) for operational use. HSEEP is a capabilities and performance-based exercise program which provides a standardized policy, methodology, and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning. An integral part of HSEEP was the development of the HSEEP Toolkit, a web-based collection of tools for exercise scheduling, design, development, evaluation and improvement planning. The current HSEEP toolkit does not facilitate information sharing or provide a seamlessly integrated exercise support system. In order to effectively update the capabilities of this HSEEP toolkit, an exhaustive assessment was performed that focused on: new system requirements; translation of the new system requirements and the results of an initial operations analysis into an improved HSEEP toolkit prototype aimed at exercise support; and the incorporation of science-based information and data via modeling and simulation (M&S) capabilities into the HSEEP exercise cycle.

Quick start users guide for the PATH/AWARE decision support system.

The Prioritization Analysis Tool for All-Hazards/Analyzer for Wide Area Restoration Effectiveness (PATH/AWARE) software system, developed by Sandia National Laboratories, is a comprehensive decision support tool designed to analyze situational awareness, as well as response and recovery actions, following a wide-area release of chemical, biological or radiological materials. The system provides capability to prioritize critical infrastructure assets and services for restoration. It also provides a capability to assess resource needs (e.g., number of sampling teams, laboratory capacity, decontamination units, etc.), timelines for consequence management activities, and costs. PATH/AWARE is a very comprehensive tool set with a considerable amount of database information managed through a Microsoft SQL (Structured Query Language) database engine, a Geographical Information System (GIS) engine that provides comprehensive mapping capabilities, as well as comprehensive decision logic to carry out the functional aspects of the tool set. This document covers the basic installation and operation of the PATH/AWARE tool in order to give the user enough information to start using the tool. A companion users manual is under development with greater specificity of the PATH/AWARE functionality.

Recovery from chemical, biological, and radiological incidents. Critical infrastructure and economic impact considerations

To restore regional lifeline services and economic activity as quickly as possible after a chemical, biological or radiological incident, emergency planners and managers will need to prioritize critical infrastructure across many sectors for restoration. In parallel, state and local governments will need to identify and implement measures to promote reoccupation and economy recovery in the region. This document provides guidance on predisaster planning for two of the National Disaster Recovery Framework Recovery Support Functions: Infrastructure Systems and Economic Recovery. It identifies key considerations for infrastructure restoration, outlines a process for prioritizing critical infrastructure for restoration, and identifies critical considerations for promoting regional economic recovery following a widearea disaster. Its goal is to equip members of the emergency preparedness community to systematically prioritize critical infrastructure for restoration, and to develop effective economic recovery plans in preparation for a widearea CBR disaster.