The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announces the first round of awards from the Fiscal Year 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant application process.
BLACKHAWK! Products Group Dynamic Entry enters the Fire and Rescue markets by combining years of experience in designing and producing the best in innovative breaching and entry tools, for LE and the military, with recommendations from rescue operators in the field. Dynamic Entry collaborated with BLACKHAWK!'s Knife categories and designed the Small Pry, a specialized entry tool that has now been adapted to the Fire/Rescue market.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate has issued a statement on the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane season - but, although the season may be over, disasters are not limited to hurricanes or a specific time of year; everyone needs to be and remain prepared, for a broad range of contingencies.
The partnership combines Imtech's worldwide experience in maritime systems and VSTEP's innovative 3D simulation technology to introduce a new range of high-end maritime simulators that are not only affordable and maintainable but also adaptable for both the profit and non-profit market sectors.
Most but not all HICS policy guidelines have been deemed by the nation's health-care community to be both reasonable and acceptable. And most but, again, not all are being incorporated into local emergency-response policies and guidelines as well. So the system is not yet perfect. It is headed in the right direction, though - but at much less than flank speed.
Very few Emergency Departments in U.S. hospitals can cope with a major outbreak of infectious diseases. But there is much that could & should be done before an outbreak occurs. Improved communications between and among all major medical facilities in the same geographic area should be the first priority, along with more and better training, and the elimination of current legal roadblocks jamming the system.
Four highly sophisticated types of sensors are now being used to detect potentially lethal gases and vapors at the so-called "meth labs" blighting the nation. All four are limited in scope, though, for various reasons. Question: Could the "orthogonal" fuzzy-logic solution provided by the Environics ChemPro 100 be the next step toward a more perfect system?
To enter, or not to enter? That is the first and most important question facing first responders arriving at the scene of a major incident where there is reason to believe the area may be contaminated by biological agents. Lives are at stake, though, so quick decisions are mandatory, and there is no time to wait for the production and distribution of Gen 3.0 detection systems.
Each year, TISP (The Infrastructure Security Partnership) members and partners submit award applications nominating candidates who have made a significant and lasting contribution to critical infrastructure resilience. This year TISP will be recognizing three individuals for their distinguished leadership in critical infrastructure resilience and volunteer service.
"Pilots are trusted partners who ensure the safety of millions of passengers flying every day," said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole. "Allowing these uniformed pilots, whose identity has been verified, to go through expedited screening at the checkpoint...makes for smart security and an efficient use of our resources."
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano highlighted two important cyber-security initiatives that enhance coordination and information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and their private-sector partners - building on a series of recent cyber-security measures that increase the nation's ability to protect itself against cyber threats.
"For more than a decade, ExitSentry has been the exit lane breach control solution of choice for airports throughout the United States and Canada, and we are excited to be part of this project," said Craig Chambers, president and CEO, Cernium Corporation. "We look forward to working with SecureNet to enhance TSA's [the Transportation Security Administration's] ability to detect threats and further protect air travelers."
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Rich Serino addressed the 2010 American Ambulance Association at its annual conference about the importance of working together as a team to respond to and recover from emergencies. He also urged the audience to incorporate the needs and capabilities of the entire community, including children and people with disabilities, when planning for disaster response and recovery operations.
In a survey conducted by LiveProcess in conjunction with the American Hospital Association (AHA), emergency managers at hospitals across the U.S. were queried about issues they face within their own programs, and the results paint a grim picture for preparedness across the country - even with extensive Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) funding.
by Patti Riggs, Principal Chemist, QuickSilver Analytics -
The collection of "samples" at the scene of a crime - or a toxic release or other possible mass-casualty incident - calls for extremely detailed planning, precise execution, and constant vigilance. Here is a short list of some of the numerous dangers and difficulties involved - some of them terminal in nature.
The well attended 15 November DomPrep Executive Briefing on the Department of Homeland Security's new "Private-Sector Preparedness" program not only provided a wealth of information for those participating but also raised several exceptionally relevant questions - on a broad range of closely related topics. The one virtually unanimous conclusion (no "official vote" was taken, though) was that additional briefings, in even greater depth, are urgently needed and should be scheduled just as soon as possible.
Most U.S. counterterrorism experts and senior DHS and DOD officials agree that the greatest danger now facing the nation is not a nuclear attack but a biological warfare agent - which would be extremely difficult to detect, much less counter. There has been some limited progress in U.S. detection capabilities, but a much greater effort is needed. Immediately, if not sooner.
John Kime has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and in that post is responsible for the global operations of Avon Protection Systems. John has extensive knowledge and experience within the manufacturing sector, providing leadership in the area of general management with a focus on growth, process improvement, and company transformation.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole have announced the expansion of the nationwide "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign in the National Capital Region and to the nation's hotel and lodging industry - raising public awareness and strengthening security in America's tourism and travel industry in anticipation of the busy holiday travel season.
The annual CBCF focuses on enhancing cooperation on key cross-border crime and security issues, with a particular focus on cross-border investigations and the resulting prosecutions. The CBCF brings together senior public safety and law enforcement officials, and prosecutors, to address a number of cross-border issues, including terrorism, mass-marketing fraud, interoperability matters, organized crime, and others.
"DuPont is proud to partner with the Smithsonian on this important national exhibition," said Mark P. Vergnano, DuPont executive vice president. "It showcases the unprecedented collective efforts of hundreds of companies and agencies to protect lives in space, the net effect of which could only have been achieved when innovative science and collaboration were put to the service of an important goal."
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas have announced the expansion of the E-Verify program's capabilities to include U.S. passport photo matching - further enhancing the integrity of the program by enabling E-Verify to automatically check the validity and authenticity of all U.S. passports and passport cards presented for employment verification checks.
ManTech has been awarded an Integrated Logistics Support and Services (ILSS) contract by the U.S. Army Rock Island Contracting Center to provide integrated logistics support services to the Army Sustainment Command (ASC). ManTech will support ASC in four major operational areas: left-behind equipment, pre-deployment training equipment, theater-provided equipment, and supply support activity.
The New Jersey Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMNDJ) has created this short guidebook listing 19 essential elements of respiratory protection for workers potentially exposed to deleterious agents, such as hazardous wastes or agents of mass destruction.
Two world-class experts provide an authoritative report on how the University of Texas Medical Branch used the terrifying lessons learned from Hurricanes Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008 to develop an effective response & rebuilding plan that not only will be used by UTMB itself to cope with future disasters but also provides a Gold Standard recovery blueprint for other organizations and institutions of all types.
A possible nuclear attack against the U.S. homeland gets more attention, but homeland-security experts say an attack involving biological weapons could be much more devastating in its consequences. The warhead of such weapons would be pathogens - which, as this primer "for Knuckleheads" points out, are low in cost, easy to obtain, and already here, in galactic abundance.
"We are delighted that PharmAthene was selected as a grant recipient under this program," commented Eric I. Richman, President and Chief Executive Officer. PharmAthene has focused on developing urgently needed, best-in-class, next generation medical countermeasures that offer the potential for improved safety, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, consistent with this imperative.
"Following the thwarted terrorist plot last week to conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S., the Administration took a number of immediate steps to increase security by tightening existing measures related to cargo bound for the United States," said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Idaho Technology has announced that it has filed a submission with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for 510(k) clearance to market its FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) as an in vitro diagnostic product for patients with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. The FilmArray RP is a user-friendly multiplex PCR assay designed for the detection and differentiation of a panel of respiratory viruses and bacteria.
L-3 Security & Detection Systems has announced that it has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a ceiling of $325 million by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to supply next-generation Advanced Technology (AT) X-ray systems to screen carry-on baggage at security checkpoints.
"Vermont's vision for our public safety communications is clearly addressed by the Harris P25 solution, which also allows us to leverage our existing infrastructure," said Chief J. Paul Duquette, Chair, Vermont Communications (VCOMM). "When completed, the VCOMM system will be a modern and reliable system for Vermont public safety agencies that meets federal mandates and will support Vermont's growing public safety communications needs well into the future."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced new guidelines on emergency sheltering to help state planners and non-profit organizations ensure that people with access and functional needs receive lawful and equitable assistance in the aftermath of a disaster. The Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) guidelines give state governments recommendations to help them provide emergency sheltering services that meet the needs of their communities and are in compliance with existing federal laws designed to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has spoken with leaders from global shipping companies - including UPS, DHL, FedEx, and TNT - to discuss enhanced air cargo screening and other security efforts following last week's disrupted attempt to conceal and ship explosive devices onboard aircraft bound for the United States.
Working closely with international partners, the United States and key allies disrupted an attempt by a determined enemy to conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S. homeland. At the direction of President Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection immediately took the additional measures needed, including the grounding of packages, to enhance existing protocols for screening inbound cargo.
"WebEOC Town Square delivers the famous WebEOC power, performance, and reliability at a price most communities can afford," said Nadia Butler, ESi President and CEO. "Built on the battle-tested WebEOC Professional platform, this tool gives local emergency managers real-time information so they can make sound decisions in emergencies and in day-to-day operations."
A smart leader recruits the most capable assistants he/she can find - and uses them wisely. But some topics in today's dangerous world are of such transcendent importance - bio-preparedness, for example - that decisions cannot be relegated to subordinates. And neither can the drills, training sessions, and tabletop exercises required to understand those topics both in depth and in person.
EMTs and other responders face a host of dangers at the scene of a major accident. But the greatest danger, in many cases, is on the open highways and crowded streets that must be navigated, often at high speed, to and from a multi-vehicle collision or the sudden fire that broke out in a high-rise apartment building.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a new Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) process to strengthen the agency's commitment to using the most reliable scientific data to determine flood hazards facing communities across the nation.
The Kevlar® XP for Hard Armor provides extra protection and extra performance in ballistic applications. An Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) used by the U.S. military today can weigh almost four pounds. DuPont's Kevlar® XP for Hard Armor provides a half-pound reduction in weight, which helps immensely in operating in stressful physical environments where moving quickly and efficiently is vitally important.
This report was developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Risk Steering Committee (RSC). The purpose of the DHS Risk Lexicon is to create and make available to users a comprehensive list of terms and meanings relevant to the practice of homeland security risk management and analysis. Accomplishing that goal will improve the Department's capability to assess and manage homeland security risks.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate took the stage at the 2010 TEDMED Conference in San Diego to announce a new public challenge to develop creative ideas on how communities can prepare to cope with emergencies before disaster strikes.
The identiFINDER® 2 is an updated handheld radio-isotope identification device (RIID) which provides the same reliable detection and finding capabilities as the previous system, but with improved identification capabilities and several added features.
