Disasters happen in America everyday. Given the amount of information Americans receive everyday, it is very easy to stop paying attention. However, the force, magnitude, placement, and geographic location of disasters is very important. if we start paying attention, we will notice patterns. These patterns allow us to make our own assumptions about the significance of the news we hear and read. Without it, we are simply at the mercy of the media.

I have spent over seven years working in Emergency Management. I entered the field shortly after September 11, 2009. During this time, I began noticing the correlation, or lack thereof, between the disaster patterns and news reports. After, Hurricane Katrina, our news told us that every hurricane season would get progressively worse. Hurricane Katrina was only the beginning. Is this really what has happened?

I do not want to force my assumptions or ideas upon anyone. It is like the old saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink." I want this blog to provide the "water" about disasters, as they happen. It will be up to you, the reader, to decide whether or not you drink and how you apply the information. It is time for all of us to stop just believing what we are told. We need to seek out our own information and make our own decisions about the meaning.

The potential for a worldwide Pandemic burst on to the scene with H5N1. You may remember this by news stories reporting the large amounts of chickens that would become infected. In an effort to stop H5N1, these poultry were put to death. H5N1 did not find much traction in the United States. However, its mutated counterpart, H1N1 or the Swine Flu has been making headlines across the world.

Swine Flu Symptoms and Prevention - August 31, 2009
Prevention begins with knowing what you face. Swine-Flu-Virus reported, "The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people."

Arkansas Seeks H1N1 Immunization Providers - September 2, 2009
Emaxhealth.com reported, "As the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus continues to spread across the United States, Arkansas is preparing for the most ambitious vaccination effort in the state's history. With financial support from the state and federal government, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is planning to provide protection from both the seasonal flu and the new 2009 H1N1 flu this fall."

H1N1 Preparedness and HIV Webinar - September 2, 2009
The Gov Monitor reported, "Nearly 850 HIV federal colleagues staff and grantees participated in a webinar on Wednesday, September2, “H1N1 Preparedness & HIV” for the HIV community."

How to Prepare Your Business for an H1N1 Flu Pandemic - September 4, 2009
Follow these nine steps and you'll have a basic business continuity plan to keep your business up and running through the H1N1 flu pandemic crisis.

Updated Anti-Viral Recommendations - September 8, 2009
As more information becomes known about H1N1 "Swine" Flu, CDC and government agencies are updating their recommendations. Today, Flu.gov reported new interim anti-viral recommendations. You can read more at Flu.gov.

Canada Puts Out H1N1 Guidance - September 8, 2009
The United Stats is not the only country facing the Pandemic. I realize this may sound like common knowledge. It might be useful to see what other countries are advising their citizens to do. The H5N1 blog reports, "In the face of a possible wave of H1N1 flu cases this fall, public-health and education officials are encouraging parents and teachers to help stem the potential spread by keeping or sending students with flu-like symptoms home" (Canada: Teddy has a fever? Keep him home, 2009)

The Mother of All Viruses? Is Another 1918 Pandemic Possible?
You have probably heard the fear that the H1N1 virus could turn into another 1918 Pandemic. If you have not read about the 1918 Pandemic then you may not understand the fear. The Real Truth blog explains the 1918 Pandemic and discusses whether the fears are valid or not. 

Four-fifths of businesses foresee problems maintaining operations if H1N1 flu outbreak
Several years ago, while working for the Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism at the Missouri Department of Health and Senor Services, I had the honor of facilitating a county Pandemic Flu Preparedness Drill. Businesses being able to stay open was one of the largest issues discussed. Once day cares close, Who stays home with the kids? You cannot bring them to work. This article discusses this issue. Read More at EurekaAlert.com.

Being a firefighter myself, this is probably the subject closest to my heart. Summer is always wildland firefighting season. Our western states, especially California and Montana are notorious for experiencing multiple fires. These are wildland news stories from 2009.

Utah wildfire prompts flood fears - September 4, 2009
This story illustrates how any natural disaster, even perennial ones, can set off a chain reaction of events. Disaster News Network reports, "As firefighters work to completely contain the Mill Flat Fire that has been burning in southwestern Utah since July 25, emergency officials are beginning to worry about the potential for winter and spring flooding in the region."

10,000 homes threatened by fires - September 2, 2009
Disaster News Network reported, "Growing wildfires in California and Utah have forced thousands of people to evacuate and are threatening at least 10,000 homes."

Large wildland fire burns in Cache Creek Wilderness Area- September 7, 2009
Wildland season is not near over. In the midst of firefighters' battles in California, a new wildland fire has broken out. Lake County News reported, "On Monday evening a wildland fire broke out in an area of the Cache Creek Wilderness Area in Colusa County, not far from the Lake County line. The Oasis Fire was reported just after 6 p.m. Monday, according to Cal Fire" (Large wildland fire burns in Cache Creek Wilderness Area, 2009). 

Since 2001, Terrorism has been a hot button topic. Many stories have been written about potential terrorists. We have heard about plots to blow up planes in England, and various plots across the world. Emergency management professionals are aware of two groups that are largely avoided by the media. The Environment Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF) are homegrown terrorist groups that claim they are save guarding the environment and animals. These groups are largely made up of college students but can be as dangerous as any middle eastern terrorist.

Animal Liberation Front Strike in the US
"On July 10th 2009...Michael Selsted, an award-winning Warren L. Bostick Professor and Chair of Pathology in the UCI School of Medicine, had two of his cars covered in red paint and a third covered in paint stripper by members of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF)". Read More at the Speaking of Research blog.

September 2009 - Domestic Terrorism--Radio Towers Toppled
"Perhaps you saw this one on the national news yesterday--2 Radio Towers in Washington State Toppled As noted in the story, the ELF is claiming it did the dirty deed and the FBI is investigating." Read more at Disaster Zone