Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office

Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office

Background

The growing complexity of radiological threats has demanded continual advancements in detection capabilities. Federal agencies face persistent challenges in ensuring their frontline operators are equipped to identify and mitigate sophisticated threats that could compromise national security. Recognizing these evolving risks, the government sought a comprehensive program that could rapidly deliver innovative detection solutions to the field.

Mission

The Mobile Detection Deployment Program (MDDP) was initiated to address the urgent need for frontline operators to detect and respond to radiological threats that pose a risk to national security. Operators lacked state-of-the-art equipment necessary for detecting advanced and evolving radiological threats. Meeting this challenge required accelerating the development and deployment of cutting-edge detection systems in a timely and efficient manner.

Solution

To tackle this critical mission, the CWMD office launched the MDDP, focusing on building strong, collaborative relationships with industry partners. These partnerships enabled the rapid development, testing, and deployment of state-of-the-art detection technologies. Emphasis was placed on swift procurement processes to ensure that frontline operators received the latest and most effective equipment, enhancing their ability to counter radiological threats efficiently and effectively.

Result

By prioritizing the rapid advancement and distribution of advanced detection technology, the CWMD office has substantially strengthened the nation’s capability to detect and mitigate radiological threats. The program’s ongoing evolution ensures that operators remain equipped with the most advanced tools available, maintaining a robust line of defense for national security.

Conclusion

The success of the MDDP demonstrates the impact of strategic industry partnerships and innovative procurement in addressing critical national security challenges. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, the program’s commitment to equipping frontline operators with cutting-edge technology ensures sustained protection for the nation and its citizens.

Bridging the Gap Episode 17: Empathy and Expertise: Communicating About Radiation Risk

Bridging the Gap Episode 17: Empathy and Expertise: Communicating About Radiation Risk

At the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference in Washington, D.C., Corporate Health Physicist and SummitET VP Steve Sugarman shares his perspectives on radiological risk communication with Mark Amann, SummitET’s Chief Products Officer and a veteran strategic communicator. Their conversation illuminates the nuances and challenges of communicating about radiation, especially in times of crisis.

Communication for Understanding

Communicating about radiation risk presents unique challenges that extend beyond technical knowledge. A primary obstacle is overcoming deeply ingrained public perceptions of radiation—often shaped by popular culture and imagery—which can fuel widespread fear and misunderstanding. Addressing these anxieties requires communicators to engage with empathy, acknowledging emotions before presenting scientific information.

Translating technical language into clear, relatable terms is essential. Scientific jargon can lead to confusion, so the use of analogies and plain language enhances comprehension for diverse audiences, including emergency responders and the general public. Empathy as a foundation for communication makes listeners more receptive to accurate information and guidance.

Integrating Science and Strategic Communication

It is also important for strategic communicators and scientific experts to collaborate on messaging prior to emergencies. Developing clear, understandable, accurate messages in advance ensures effective dissemination of information when incidents occur. This preparedness benefits not only the public, but also first responders who rely on precise, timely details to make critical decisions under pressure. Unlike many hazards, radiation is easily detectable and manageable with appropriate training—an important fact that should be emphasized to alleviate unnecessary fears.

Empathy, Collaboration, and Clarity

In today’s complex media environment, misinformation can erode public trust. Empathy, transparency, and credible expertise are fundamental to building and maintaining confidence in official guidance. The podcast concludes with a candid reflection: although Sugarman specializes in radiation and health physics, his greatest concern lies with biological threats—reminding listeners that expertise and humility go hand in hand in the pursuit of public safety.
In summary, effective communication about radiological risk depends on empathy, collaboration, and clarity—principles that are vital across all domains of public safety and emergency management.

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Mark Amann

Mark Amann

Chief Products Officer; Emergency Management SME

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Bridging the Gap Episode 16: The Evolution and Capabilities of Previstar®: A Journey Through Time

Bridging the Gap Episode 16: The Evolution and Capabilities of Previstar®: A Journey Through Time

In this episode of “Bridging the Gap,” Adam Montella, COO, along with Mark Amann, CPO, and Himadri Banerjee, CTO, delve into the fascinating history and capabilities of Previstar®, a software that has played a pivotal role in emergency and incident management for over two decades.

A Journey Through Time

Adam Montella’s journey with Previstar began 20 years ago when he was one of the original customers of its precursor, RamSafe. Developed at Oak Ridge National Labs by Himadri Banerjee and his team, RamSafe was an innovative software that transformed a static spreadsheet predicting morbidity, mortality, and resource needs for chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction into a dynamic tool.

From RamSafe to Previstar

The software’s evolution continued as it was used in various real-world scenarios, including managing resources during the 2004 hurricane season in Florida and the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. These experiences helped shape Previstar into a comprehensive emergency management tool.

Capabilities of Previstar

Previstar is a whole lifecycle emergency and incident management software with various modules designed to aid in planning, response, and recovery. The software includes modules for planning, organizing around FEMA’s CPG 101, managing the tracking and deployment of resources, and handling costs associated with incidents. It also features an exercise module and a robust Geographic Information System (GIS) interface, making it accessible even for smaller jurisdictions without a GIS specialist.

Technological Advancements

Himadri highlights the technological advancements integrated into Previstar, including the use of AI and machine learning. These technologies enable the software to predict resource needs with high accuracy and assist in planning and response efforts. The integration of large language models like OpenAI and Meta’s Llama further enhances the software’s capabilities, making it a powerful tool for emergency management.

A Product Built by Practitioners for Practitioners

One of the unique aspects of Previstar is that it was built by emergency managers for emergency managers. Himadri’s firsthand experience in the field, combined with his expertise in technology, has resulted in a product that truly understands and meets the needs of its users.

Looking Ahead

With SummitET’s acquisition of Previstar, the software is set to continue its evolution and enhancement. The combination of Previstar’s dynamic technology and SummitET’s subject matter expertise promises to deliver even better solutions for emergency management in the future.

Previstar’s rich history and advanced capabilities make it a standout tool in the field of emergency management. Its journey from RamSafe to a comprehensive incident management tool is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its team. As technology continues to advance, Previstar is poised to remain at the forefront of emergency management solutions.

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Himadri Banerjee

Himadri Banerjee

Chief Technology Officer; Developer of Previstar CPS; Incident Management Tech SME

Adam Montella headshot

Adam Montella

Chief Operations Officer; Disaster Management SME

Mark Amann

Mark Amann

Chief Products Officer; Emergency Management SME

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SummitET Relaunches Previstar® with Major AI Enhancements

SummitET Relaunches Previstar® with Major AI Enhancements

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®), a leader in crisis and emergency preparedness solutions, today announced its acquisition of Previstar® Continual Preparedness System (CPS), a proven emergency management software platform. The acquisition marks a strategic step forward in providing innovative, technology-driven preparedness and response capabilities through both industry-expert knowledge, AI and machine learning to customers worldwide.

With over 25 years of real-world use, Previstar CPS is a modular platform built to support all phases of emergency management—planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. Now under SummitET’s leadership, CPS is being completely reimagined to meet the demands of modern emergency management. Enhancements include a redesigned, user-friendly interface and a next-generation architecture that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), historical incident data, and dynamic disaster intelligence.

man in suit jacket smiling

“Previstar CPS provides a comprehensive solution that supports the full incident lifecycle,” said John Duda, CEO of SummitET. “This software allows customers to integrate planning and response through cutting-edge technology with the support of industry-experts to better serve jurisdictions across the world.”

SummitET’s new Chief Technology Officer, Himadri Banerjee, will lead the CPS redevelopment. Banerjee—also the original developer of Previstar—brings more than 25 years of experience in software innovation and has led the development of enterprise-grade SaaS platforms for Fortune 500 companies and national governments.

Senior Vice President Himadri Banerjee

Mark Amann, SummitET’s Chief Products Officer, will oversee product alignment with the operational needs of emergency management professionals. With deep expertise in homeland security, incident response, and multi-agency coordination, Amann will ensure that the reengineered platform meets evolving challenges across jurisdictions and sectors.

Mark Amann Headshot
Previstar continual preparedness system software

The enhanced CPS platform will continue to feature its four core modules—each aligned with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS):

  • Plan Manager: Streamlined event planning with integrated emergency management workflows.
  • Incident Manager: Real-time command tools and resources for crisis response and coordination.
  • Resource Manager: Rapid resource identification and deployment capabilities.
  • Geographic Information System (GIS): Strategic situational awareness using real-time geospatial data.

To learn more or schedule a personalized demo, visit SummitET.com/Previstar. Join SummitET at booth #212 during the National Homeland Security Conference for a live preview of the reengineered Previstar CPS.

About SummitET

SummitET® is a Florida-based, veteran-owned preparedness solutions company that provides expert-driven solutions to government and private entities worldwide.

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SummitET® to Showcase Previstar® and Share Capabilities at the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference

SummitET® to Showcase Previstar® and Share Capabilities at the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) is proud to announce its participation and contributions to the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC) which takes place in Washington DC, August 25-28, 2025. The NHSC serves as a premier event for professionals in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Management, offering a platform to explore new trends, tools, and resources that support their mission.

As a recognized leader in emergency preparedness and response solutions, SummitET will showcase its wide range of professional consulting services, which include technology-driven training, national-level response planning, workshops, scenario-based exercises, and WMD/CBRNE and natural disaster emergency response guidance. These offerings aim to reduce risks, mitigate disaster impacts, and enhance resilience across communities through both expertise and a new end-to-end emergency management and response system software, Previstar®.

conference booth with chairs, table, and audio equipment for a podcast recording

In addition to exhibiting at the event, SummitET will conduct live interviews at its booth for its preparedness podcast, “Bridging the Gap.” These interviews will delve into emerging practices in homeland security, providing insights into industry challenges, trends, and best practices.

To participate in the Podcast during the 2025 NHSC, fill out this form.

Participate in Our Podcast

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Join Our Panel Presentation

A highlight of SummitET’s industry expertise will be a presentation by John Duda, SummitET’s CEO, and Scott J. Glick, SummitET’s General Counsel and the DOJ’s former Director of Preparedness and Response in its National Security Division. Duda and Glick will participate in a panel entitled “Methods to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Tabletop Exercises” which will also include insight and analysis by former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. The panel will discuss current methodologies used to evaluate tabletop exercises (TTXs), as well as a new quantitative tool which can be used.

“Methods to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Tabletop Exercises”

Panelists:

John Duda, SummitET

Scott J. Glick, SummitET

Peter T. Gaynor, Bright Harbor

Emily Adams, Office of Radiological Security, NNSA

Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 1:15 pm EST

Operations-based exercises often utilize quantitative tools for evaluation, such as measuring response times. However, tabletop exercises, which are discussion-based, require more nuanced evaluation methods. Current approaches, such as the Likert scale, frequently focus on exercise delivery or offer only general conclusions, limiting their reliability.

This panel discussion will critically examine existing methodologies, including the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP), and highlight the need for new, cost-effective tools to more accurately measure the impact of TTXs on organizational preparedness. These advancements could pave the way for the establishment of an industry-standard evaluation system.

John Duda

John Duda

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Scott Glick VP and General Counsel

Scott Glick, JD

General Counsel

See the full Conference Agenda.

SummitET is excited to contribute its expertise to the 2025 NHSC and engage with industry professionals to advance the field of homeland security. By presenting innovative ideas and fostering meaningful discussions, SummitET reaffirms its commitment to building safer, more resilient communities. Join us in Washington DC to explore the future of emergency preparedness and response.

 

Ready to discuss opportunities with our experts?

Fill out the form below and we will reach out to schedule a meeting at our booth.

Meet Our Experts

Adam Montella, Senior Vice President

Adam Montella

Chief Operations Officer
Mark Amann Headshot

Mark Amann

Chief Products Officer
Ron Crane

Ron Crane

Associate Vice President | Senior SME, Exercises

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