FieldView 4.0 - an enhanced version of the Company's award-winning Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solution. The new version of the software boasts advanced system measurement tools and streamlined analytical reports that improve and control data center energy usage - while validating cost savings across globally distributed environments.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center has awarded Battelle a task order contract to assist ongoing cleanup efforts to clean up Navy, Marine Corps and federal government facilities at various locations worldwide. Military installations across the country face-long term environmental challenges in cleaning up contamination - a result of decades-old routines and testing activities undertaken before environmental guidelines were in place.
Rapid advances in telemedicine and in the computerization of medical records are now the norm, but are made extremely complicated by - well, by other rapid advances in telemedicine and in the computerization of medical records. Additional breakthroughs are still possible, and highly desired. The pace of progress should perhaps be just a wee bit slower, it says here, but much better managed.
A new federal partnership aims to stimulate regional and local economies, create local jobs, improve quality of life, and protect Americans' health by revitalizing urban waterways in under-served communities across the country. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP), an innovative federal union comprised of 11 agencies, will focus its initial efforts on seven pilot locations across the United States.
Upper Iowa University (UIU) will be working with Lightstep Technologies, a Belfast, Northern Ireland firm, on an installation project to enhance safety on the UIU campus in the United States. This project is the first of its kind in the United States and the first installation on any university campus around the world.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a new strategy - in a report called the "Pathway to Global Product Safety and Quality" - to meet the challenges posed by rapidly rising imports of FDA-regulated products through a complex global supply chain. The FDA report calls for the agency to transform the way it conducts business and to act globally to promote and protect the health of U.S. consumers.
The mounting of a successful response to a major disaster requires the combined skills of firefighters, emergency managers, policemen, and other experienced professionals. It helps considerably, though, if they can talk to one another - ask anyone who lived through the London subway bombings, the Rhode Island nightclub fire, or the NIU campus shootings.
"Man-caused incidents" - the politically correct term used to describe terrorist attacks - have increased in frequency and severity in recent years and are likely to continue to do so far into the future. Which is one of many good reasons why U.S. emergency managers are focusing more attention on the so-called "I&I" (Intelligence & Investigations) Function.
This common-sense Viewpoint analysis takes a close look at how most U.S. communities prepare, both economically and operationally, for sudden disasters. Five quick answers: 1. Many, perhaps most, do not. 2. Those that do, do not do it very well. 3. Outside help is usually needed. 4. Ahead of time. 5. Obtaining such help later is much more expen$$$ive.
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) surveyed local health departments (LHDs) nationwide twice between September 2010 and January 2011 to measure the impact of the economic recession on LHD budgets, staff, and programs. Those surveys, the fourth and fifth of a series, show that LHDs have experienced deep job losses and cuts to core funding that erode or eliminate essential public health services.
"We are committed to public safety and to ensuring the highest level of investment protection and least amount of disruption to our customers as they evolve to the capabilities of our next-generation solutions," said Jeff Wittek, Cassidian Communications' vice president of business development. "This joint effort will bring the significant R&D capability and capacity needed to address the next-generation ESINet and 9-1-1 call center requirements, positioning the two companies with the competitive edge needed for today's marketplace."
Included in this document are three separate and distinct reports that are intended to provide insight into the coordinated use of California fairgrounds during a catastrophic event. With a rich history of support of firefighters and animal & human evacuations on a localized or regional level, the fairgrounds of California are well versed in assisting response agencies and providing the resources required to meet such challenges.
Although no longer monopolizing the headlines, the wildfires, floods, and tornadoes of recent months are still affecting people's lives across the country. The American Red Cross remains on the job, though, providing shelter, food, and emotional support in areas where help is still needed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces the selection of 16 new members to its National Advisory Council (NAC). The 35-member council provides FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate with diverse perspectives and advice from a broad cross section of the nation's overall emergency management community.
RealView LLC, a Microsoft® Partner providing mobile inspection and emergency pre-plan programs for office buildings, fire departments, hospitality, education, and other customers, has announced the implementation of its CommandScope Emergency Pre-Plan for the Henderson, Nevada, fire department, enabling it to benefit from real-time, electronic building intelligence both before and during emergency situations.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the availability of up to $175 million in livability grants to help urban, suburban, and rural communities develop transit options to better connect people to where they live, work, and play. Local transit agencies will be able to compete for livability dollars from this very large pool of additional funds.
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases has been given the 2011 Gates Award for Global Health. With help from researchers from all over the world, this program has worked to find improved health solutions for people in poor countries.
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has awarded FLIR Systems a $1.1 million contract for Phase II of a multi-year, multi-phase research and development contract to develop a mobile, ruggedized, stand-off radiation detection system with identification capabilities. The goal of this new system is to improve the detection of radioactive sources at stand-off distances.
The limitations of current public safety communications systems became tragically apparent on 9/11 and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In those critical moments, law enforcement, firefighters, and other public safety officers could not talk to one another, putting the lives and mission of on-scene responders at risk. To facilitate the development and deployment of a nationwide high speed wireless network for public safety, the President's Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative will enable public safety agencies to transition away from the traditional fragmented world of public safety communications to a next-generation system.
The 2011 hurricane season has begun and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has started a blog to inform citizens about ways to get prepared for the hazards associated with severe tropical weather.
The Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel recommended that 11 agents and toxins, including anthrax, ebola and foot-and-mouth disease virus, be designated tier 1 in the National Select Agent Program, and that this tier require specific personnel and physical security measures for facilities possessing those agents and toxins. The National Select Agent Program regulates the possession, use, and transfer of biological select agents and toxins.
The old saying that, "No matter where you go, there you are," has become the new Golden Rule for emergency-alert notifications, thanks to the combined efforts of the FCC, FEMA, and the commercial U.S. cellular industry. That is the PLAN, anyway. But it works better if IPAWS is OPEN to receive the bad news.
Question: What do Boston's church bells and the Mississippi River have in common? Answer: Both survived the greatest earthquake in U.S. history (the San Francisco quake pales in comparison). The 200th anniversary of the New Madrid disaster was remembered, appropriately, earlier this year by FEMA, NEMA, CUSEC and an estimated three million "guests."
Hurricane season serves as a reminder that any type of disaster can affect the health of individuals and entire communities. A new toolkit of prepared cell phone text messages advising people how to protect their health after a disaster is available now through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
RAE Systems Inc. has introduced the world's first wireless portable multi-threat monitors, which reliably give safety professionals unprecedented visibility and control of chemical and radiation threat data. The MultiRAE Wireless Portable Multi-Threat Monitors are the only instruments to detect and monitor more than 300 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gamma radiation, 55 combustible gases and vapors, and 25 specific toxic gases - up to six threats at a time - all in a single, highly versatile monitor.
According to Saudi military sources, the C50 was chosen because it uses the technologies arising from Avon's current military-mask programmes in the United States. Combined with the appropriate filter, the C50 offers protection against chemical warfare and riot agents, TICs, and a variety of biological and radiological hazards.
Prepare now to apply for FY 2011 AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) funding! Important changes have been made to the AFG Program, and those seeking funds need to know about them before starting their applications. To learn the details and talk directly to AFG regional contacts, think about attending one of the many AFG Workshops scheduled to be held within the next few weeks.
Fortress Technologies has announced the release of the company's new high-performance radio for operation in the 4.4GHz licensed C-Band for its portfolio of mesh points. Fortress wireless communications solutions for outdoor environments are designed for government networks and, with the new 4.4GHz radio, can now also operate in this band - which is assigned for military, government, and public safety communication networks, ensuring a more secure and interference-free mesh infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.
"We strive to ensure the utmost customer satisfaction by supplying our customers with the highest quality products," said First Line Technology President Amit Kapoor. "For years, we have used ISO 9001 methodology, so transferring to certification was the next logical - and easy - step to ensure that all of our product lines, which we manufacture and distribute, were made to the highest quality specifications possible."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first nucleic acid amplification In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) test that detects Coxiella burnetii, the bacteria that causes Q fever. The IVD test, developed by Idaho Technology Inc. (ITI), will help identify military personnel suspected of contracting the disease and will run on the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostics System (JBAIDS), used in all branches of the military for diagnostic testing.
Many major disasters start without warning, continue for periods ranging from mere seconds to weeks or months, and leave behind a chaotic mass of useless rubble and ruined lives. The work of public health agencies necessarily starts well before the first tremor, continues through the entire response/recovery/resilience process, and ends - well, never.
True or not, the fact that "It never happened here" frequently morphs into a belief that "It can't happen here." That is an extremely dangerous assumption, as the "45-second" tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, proved once again. The resilient citizens of that gallant city are digging out, though, and recognize that the real key to survival is to "Plan for the worst, but hope for the best."
by Major General Stephen Reeves, USA (Ret.), former Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical & Biological Defense, Department of Defense (DOD) -
Experts are in agreement that an effective biosurveillance program is needed to protect the nation's health, farm animals, agriculture and agricultural products of all types, and food supply. This report provides valuable information for responders, receivers, planners, and managers - and the American people at large.
ArmorFlex provides excellent shielding against Galactic Cosmic Radiation and high-energy protons, but is less effective in stopping neutron radiation. ILC Dover has developed a lightweight, flexible, borated polyethylene material to meet this need. Through hybridization, this material will not only improve shielding for spacecraft but may also be useful in the design of protective equipment for the nuclear industry.
ElanTech has announced the successful deployment of its Incident Management Decision Support System (IMDSS) software during FEMA's National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE 11) disaster simulation conducted at Kentucky's Murray State University. IMDSS is a software tool that aggregates diverse information pertinent to the management of an emergency into one geospatially organized digital dashboard.
This information, provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is intended to help employers and workers prepare in advance for anticipated response activities, and to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses in the field after rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations begin.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to address the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) - focusing special attention on the ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation's cybersecurity and critical infrastructures.
HDT's XCP systems use the most advanced chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) filtration systems in the world. At the core of this modular and scalable complex are the field-proven, energy efficient shelters, filtration systems, environmental control units, heaters, and power generators that work in concert to ensure the safety of the assets inside.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that its Office of Air and Marine's Unmanned Aircraft System program has achieved a historic milestone, exceeding 10,000 flight hours. The remotely piloted aircraft provide aerial surveillance support for up to 20 hours for personnel on the ground by investigating sensor activity in remote areas to distinguish between real and perceived threats, thereby: (a) allowing CBP ground forces to best allocate their resources and efforts; and (b) providing increased visibility even at night or in low light.
The "S.O.S by the American Red Cross (ARC)" is a free app that provides real-time emergency care instructions and also serves as an expansive resource guide for emergency care information that, when activated, helps save lives. App users are guided through a victim assessment and receive step-by-step video narration accompanied by follow-along demonstrations by Dr. Oz. More than 30 protocols for the most common emergency care situations are included.
Verizon Wireless and Blueforce Development Corporation have announced that they will team up to deliver advanced wireless solutions for public safety, emergency medical, national security, and critical infrastructure protection in the government and commercial market segments. The companies' combined expertise focuses on delivering information mobility and advanced situational awareness solutions for human-to-human and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) interactions using Verizon Wireless's world-class network and services.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in coordination with the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REPP) office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), offers five courses focusing on radiological preparedness in communities across the United States. The radiological courses prepare first responders to deal with all types of radiological incidents, from basic fundamentals to advanced techniques.
The plots and successes of recent "pirate" movies notwithstanding, the real, totally ruthless, and well armed pirates of the 21st century must be recognized for what they really are: thieves, cutthroats, and murderers - who are now working with terrorist groups. That evil coalition must be confronted fully, fearlessly, and effectively by the world's maritime powers in a total-war conflict at sea unlike any other in recorded history.
The twin goals - total security, and immediate accessibility - prescribed for the perfect medical antidote program are not only mutually exclusive but also theoretically impossible to achieve. Almost. But there are some effective compromise measures that can bridge the differences, lower the loss rate, and significantly improve on-scene operational needs at the same time.
