While earning your public safety degree you will begin to learn about, and meet, others in the field of emergency management such as firefighters, paramedics, and emergency dispatchers. While these people are certainly an important part of public safety, it is also important for the public to take responsibility for personal preparedness as well. These resources will give you access to both the professional and individual aspects of public safety.
Fire Fighters
One of the most frequently discussed aspects of public safety is fire safety. Firefighters are rightfully considered heroes because of the work they do. Read these blogs to find out more about the life of a firefighter.
- Firefighter Blog
The author of the blog, Mike Morales, primarily discusses wild land fires and issues related to those fires. Although now retired, he specialized in wildfires and at one time helped to create and implement the fire training program of his city.
- Firefighter Spot
Jason Poremba, the owner of the blog, has been recognized as one of the leading sources of video on fire safety. He works to help train firefighters online about dangerous procedures.
- Kids Firefighter
This blog is not written by a firefighter, instead it is written by the parents of a little boy obsessed with all things having to do with firefighters and fire trucks. They have created a list of excellent resources for children.
- The Fire Critic
This blog is written by Rhett Fleitz, who has been working in fire service for more than a decade. The purpose of the blog is to discuss all aspects of fire service in a professional and nonbiased voice. Topics include fire rescue, line of duty, and fire videos.
- Raising Ladders
This blog is written by a D.C. area firefighter and paramedic. He discusses the daily duties of his job and adds a unique perspective by including his passion for photography.
EMT
Paramedics and other emergency medical personnel are often the first responders in a medical emergency. Many of these blogs discuss calls the paramedics have been to and give insight into what a typical day for them is like.
- Notes of a Paramedic
The writer of this blog, Peter, is a paramedic. He discusses a variety of topics including calls he has gone on as well as other topics related to the field. Recent posts include a discussion about the first day on the job and medication errors.
- The Happy Medic
This blog is written by a firefighter and medic in San Francisco, California. He relates his experiences on various calls as well as those of co-workers, teachers, and colleagues.
- Life Under the Lights
The author of this blog is a self described EMS junkie who has been working as a paramedic for more than a decade. He frequently discusses EMS 2.0, paramedics, and safety.
- Medic 999
The author of this blog was an registered nurse for many years before becoming a paramedic. For the past ten years he has worked as a paramedic and now blogs about his experiences and issues in the field.
- Medic Three
The author of the blog is a twenty something paramedic in the Midwest. He works for a national ambulance service and often discusses the crazy calls he has been on as well as coping with the stress.
- JeraMedic
This blog is written by Jeremiah Blush, who is an EMT. He discusses many aspects of his life and career as an EMT including the latest EMS research and news.
Emergency Management
Emergency management professionals are those who direct the emergency response teams. These could be directors, dispatchers, or retired leaders in the field. By reading these blogs you will learn more about the leadership needed in an emergency situation.
- Firehouse Zen
This blog is written by Michael Mayers, a Deputy Director of Emergency Response. The focus of the blog is on emergency leadership and preparing thos working on the response team.
- Fire Special Ops
The blog began as a way for hazmat and rescue teams to collaborate. It has grown substantially over the years and now is a reliable source of news, information, and other tidbits of interest to the emergency management community.
- Notes from Mosquito Hill
This blog is written by a past fire fighter and current EMT. He discusses the field of emergency management as well as his experiences in the field. His post frequently feature photographs.
- Three Mouse Clicks from Disaster
This blog is written by a dispatcher at a power company. He discusses his job and gives insight into how technical and how critical this position is. As the title implies a mistake from dispatch could spell disaster if the grid were to go down.
- Fire Geezer
Written by retired three men with decades of experience in the field of fire fighting. Some of the topics that are frequently discussed include administration and leadership, arson, command, and firefighter safety and health.
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster preparedness is necessary for individuals, families, companies, local governments, as well as the federal government. These blogs discuss the need for disaster preparedness for all of these groups.
- The Disaster Preparedness Blog
The owner of this blog, Keith Erwood, created this blog to help individuals and business owners prepare for emergencies and disasters. He discusses topics ranging from natural disasters to workplace violence.
- In Case of Emergency
This blog is written by John Solomon, a citizen who is interested in preparing for emergency situations and helping others prepare as well. Recent topics include city preparedness, child preparedness, and FEMA.
- Survival Blog
Blogger Jim Rawles is a survivalist author and at one time an intelligence officer in the Army. Subjects he frequently discusses include self-sufficiency, off-grid power, wilderness survival, and the second amendment.
- Doctor Prepper’s Family Preparedness Journal
The author of this blog, James Stevens, has been living the life of preparedness since he was a child. He frequently discusses survival tactics, the importance of disaster preparedness, and making the best of the basics.
- Preparedness Pantry
This blog offers a variety of easy methods to help a family prepare for any possible disaster. In addition to food storage methods and tips there are also recipe, ideas for kit components, and strategy tips.
- Emergency Preparedness Kit for the Workplace
This post discusses the importance of having an emergency kit available at your workplace. Many people plan for emergencies at home but fail to do so at work. The reality is you are just as likely to need a plan at work.
- Ice-Pack
This blog discusses the overall importance of disaster preparedness. A variety of topics are often discussed including evacuation, critical infrastructure, homeland security, public safety, and search and rescue.
- American Preppers Network
This site maintains a blog for people who are interested in preparing for natural or manmade disasters. They talk about survival techniques and provide a list of government and private resources to help in disaster preparedness.
Homeland Security
Homeland security is one of the chief concerns in the field of public safety. Terrorism has been brought into our country and much of the public worries about a reoccurrence. These blogs discuss the homeland security situation in depth.
- Security Debrief
This blog is dedicated to information about homeland security, the treat of terrorism, and the field of counter-terrorism. It is written by a number of contributors and topics include airport security, civil liberties, and smuggling.
- On Point
This blog is written by Andrew Lubin, a writer and historian who avidly follows events in Central Asia and the Middle East. He frequently discusses the events of the US military in these areas.
- Schneier on Security
This blog is written by Bruce Schneier, a well known security technologist. He discusses current security issues. He updates the blog regularly and sometimes comments on several news stories each day.
- The Homeland Security Blog
This blog is written by several contributing authors. The purpose of the blog is to facilitate discussion about issues having to do with homeland security. Topics that are frequently reviewed include information sharing, disasters, and crisis response.
- In General Counsel
This blog discusses news and provides commentary on topics that may impact homeland security as well as other legal issues as they interest the author.
- Homeland Security Watch
This blog pays special attention to breaking news that has to do with all aspects of homeland security. The in depth analysis of situations as they emerge is a valuable resource.
Public Safety and Social Media
Social media has begun to be quite influential in the field of public safety. As new technologies become available and utilized by large numbers of people, they will become more and more useful in public safety situations.
- Social Media Plays Vital Role in National Disasters
This post discusses the importance social media has begun to play in national disasters around the world. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook have become a lifeline for survivors and sources of information for public safety officials.
- Cops 2.0
This blog is written by a variety of Canadian authors who are made up of police men and women as well as academics and concerned citizens. The focus of the blog is how law enforcement can utilize social media in fighting and preventing crime.
- Connected Cops
The founder of the blog, Lauri Stevens, created this blog in order to assist public safety officials such as police officers in utilizing the various social media tools that are now available.
- Social Media in Your Campus Emergency Plan
This post discusses the importance of using social media services when developing an emergency plan for a university campus. The students being served today rely heavily on social media and using it to communicate with them is a useful tool.
- Integrating Social Media Tools for Emergency Communications
This post discusses the importance of implementing a plan to utilize social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to reach individuals during an emergency. While many focus on the implications for students it can also be used in a workplace environment.
- Disaster Tests Social Media Response
This blog discusses a test environment in San Diego that had public users of social media sites work together to test those sites and their effectiveness in communicating with first response teams.
- Facebook Offers Law Enforcement Communication Opportunity
This post discusses how the author feels law enforcement could benefit from the scope of users reached by Facebook. He recommends going beyond merely setting up a page and stresses the importance of engaging the community.
Personal Preparedness
One of the things people began to truly discuss in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina was the need for personal preparedness. While it is true that our government will help individuals after a disaster, they may not be able to do so for days.
- Safely Gathered In
This blog is written by friends Hannah and Abbie. Together they realized the importance of creating an emergency food storage system and they created this blog to motivate themselves and others.
- The Survivalist Blog
This blog is written by M.D. Creekmore, a personal preparedness advocate who lives off-grid in Tennessee. He uses this blog to show other people how to prepare for disaster in their personal lives.
- 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Chance of Survival
This post gives readers ten easy tasks they can accomplish that will help them prepare for any disaster. The author points out that it is usually common things like a heart attack or a fire that a person will need to deal with rather than an earthquake or tsunami.
- Bison Survival Blog
The author of this blog, James Dakin, focuses on self sufficiency, preparedness, and frugality. He has been writing on the subject for almost five years and posts frequently.
- Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest
This blog is written by three friends; Ryan, Chad, and another Ryan. They have an eclectic mix of topics but frequently discuss self defense, the importance of preparedness, and occasionally legal issues are discussed by the lawyer in the group.
- TEOTWAWKI
The end of the world as we know it, otherwise known as TEOTWAWKI, blog discusses a variety of topics related to personal preparedness including emergency bags, gear, and first aid.
- Adventures in Self Reliance
This blog is written by Angela, a stay at home mom and advocate of personal preparedness and self-reliance. She frequently discusses food storage, emergency kits and why preparation is important.
Food Storage
When discussing public safety and the need for emergency preparedness the question of food storage often arises. These blogs discuss a variety of food storage methods and many make it easy for beginners.
- How Affordable is Home Canning?
Written by the Hillbilly Housewife, this article discusses the basic equipment one needs to begin canning food at home and the most cost efficient way to begin the home canning process.
- Canning and Freezing Garden Produce
For those who want to begin to create a supply of food in case of an emergency, excess garden produce is an excellent place to start. This post discusses the merits of freezing and canning.
- Food Storage Made Easy
This blog is written by to young mothers, Jodi and Julie, began writing about food storage when they became intimidated by how much they had to learn. They break the process down into manageable steps for those new to long term storage.
- Food Storage: Options for Long Term Storage of Dry Food
The author discusses a variety of methods for preparing food for long term storage including canning jars, mylar bags, and food grade buckets. The site has an entire section devoted to other food storage tips.
- Tennessee Preppers Network – Dehydrating Food
This blog discusses the very basics of survival; food and water, light and heat, hygiene and first aid along with skills needed to survive. Most people are far more familiar with canning as a food storage option but with a bit of research, dehydrating food is just as simple. This is a great place to start.
- Survival Food – Supplies from the Store
This list gives readers about fifty items they can purchase from their local grocery store to begin to create a well rounded emergency food supply. Storage options for the foods are also included.
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