Physical Security and Environmental Protection

Manage a Hazard or Threat Effectively and Prevent It from Becoming a Disaster

When disaster strikes, it can present challenges to those caught off guard, leaving them to cope with the fallout. Adopting a risk management approach to addressing threats, vulnerability, and risk assessments is critical to those on the frontline. Developed with first responders at the municipal, state, provincial, and federal level in mind, Physical Security and Environmental Protection guides readers through the various phases of disaster management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It contains the steps and principles essential to effectively managing a hazard or threat, preventing it from becoming a disaster.

From the Initial Threat Assessment to Response and Recovery Operations

Considering both natural and manmade disasters, this text includes sections on hazard analysis, emergency planning, effective communication, and leadership. It covers threat assessment, examines critical infrastructure protection, and addresses violent behavior. The text also outlines protection strategies; discussing strategy management, identifying suspicious behavior, and detailing how to avoid a potential attack. The text includes an overview on developing force protection plans, security plans, and business continuity plans.

The book also addresses response and recovery operations, explores post-incident stress management, and poses the following questions:

• What hazards exist in or near the community?
• How frequently do these hazards occur?
• How much damage can they cause?
• Which hazards pose the greatest threat?

This text includes the tools and information necessary to help readers develop business continuity, force protection, and emergency preparedness plans for their own group or organization.

Dr. John Perdikaris is a registered professional engineer in the province of Ontario, Canada. He has 15 years of varied engineering and emergency management experience on a variety of projects within the province of Ontario, including acting as project manager on various engineering and emergency preparedness projects. He holds a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and a PhD from the same university. His fields of expertise include force protection, critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, water resources management, forecasting and warning systems, and modeling and simulation.