The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first adjuvanted vaccine for the prevention of H5N1 influenza, commonly known as avian or bird flu. The vaccine, Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Monovalent Vaccine, Adjuvanted, is for use in people 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 influenza virus.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers a broad set of tools to help law enforcement and private sector partners prepare for active shooter scenarios, enhance preparedness capabilities, and help mitigate potential threats.
The American Technologies Network Corporation has introduced two new models into its Thermal Weapons Sight System product line for 2014: the ThOR336-1.5X and the ThOR640-1X. The new ThOR thermal weapons sight series has been designed to help meet the needs, at an affordable price, of those working in ground-based night operations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Department of Health have launched a vaccination campaign to prevent outbreaks of measles and polio among survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
Calpipe Security Bollards introduces its new Twist-Up Bollard design, which is a K12/M50 rated bollard that rotates into position with a hand drill. When placed in a foundation with a widened base and greater length, the Twist-Up Bollard maximizes the potential for impact protection, without sacrificing ease of installation.
Intelsat General Corp. has been awarded a subcontract from TeleCommunication Systems Inc., to provide managed Ku bandwidth on Intelsat satellites, in addition to associated teleport and terrestrial services, for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Life science research benefits society in many ways, but also creates certain risks - particularly when that research falls into the wrong hands, either deliberately or unintentionally. Clearly defined rules and regulations governing the results of such dual-use research could help keep scientific research focused on less dangerous and more beneficial results.
As part of the ongoing effort to move away from a "one size fits all" security approach and provide more of the traveling public the ability to participate in expedited screening, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have announced a partnership to extend TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and the nation's National Guard and Reserve forces.
State and local emergency management officials in the State of Wisconsin used RunMobile's Damage Assessment Reporting Solution (DARS) extensively to report and collect damage data - which was then used to populate Uniform Disaster Situation Reports (UDSR) and the state's own Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA).
Despite the fact that emergency managers and their public health partners have much in common, they often do not collaborate effectively in responding to mass-casualty emergencies. By identifying existing similarities and finding more common ground, the future preparedness and response efforts of both groups will be even more successful.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that one million people have been given the designation "trusted traveler" through the agency's Global Entry program. The program, which was launched five years ago, provides arriving travelers with a quicker, more efficient, and more secure entry process into the United States.
AtHoc Inc. has announced the release of the new AtHoc Interactive Warning System (IWS) - designed specifically to meet the needs of the nation's oil and gas, chemical, and heavy manufacturing sectors. The real-time feedback provided from the field brings visibility to emergency operations centers and provides valuable insights to facilitate dispatch decisions.
"The intent of the Vehicle Emergency Data Set is to establish a uniform data template for collection and transmission of vehicle crash information among multiple emergency responders," said Brian Fontes, CEO of NENA: The 9-1-1 Association. "NENA applauds this important step in enhancing the availability and delivery of data to telecommunicators and first responders."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) for its excellence in emergency management. CDC is the first federal agency to attain full accreditation of its emergency management program.
Biological weapons are the most significant threat the United States now faces. Identifying the signs and symptoms early is the best method of defending against such weapons, but U.S. military personnel are not yet properly equipped and trained to identify and prevent the spread of such threats.
The unthinkable can happen at any time, and in any place. Being able to track and credential first responders in a timely manner against the unseen perils in today's dangerous world can save many lives. This podcast interview provides important insights on the effective use and training of intelligent accountability systems.
Regardless of what many experts perceive as the likelihood of a biological attack, continuing improvements in U.S. public health preparedness programs are necessary to ensure more effective response operations and save countless lives. A cooperative approach to biodefense planning should include an expansion of the nation's existing arsenal of medical countermeasures and the development and production of additional vaccines.
Post-Disaster Reunification of Children: A Nationwide Approach illustrates the significance of whole-community collaboration and inclusive emergency planning by providing a comprehensive overview of the coordination processes needed to reunify children separated from their parents or legal guardians in the event of a large-scale disaster. The report also discusses how the entire community can and should work together to achieve this wide-ranging responsibility.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the award of grants totaling $15 million to two international organizations and two U.S. universities. The programs involved not only: (a) facilitate cost-sharing with developing countries to build vaccine manufacturing facilities that can produce influenza and other vaccines; but also (b) help train personnel from such countries at U.S.-based universities specializing in advanced vaccine production.
W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. has issued an important firefighter product safety alert, along with information about enrollment in a product remediation program. The alert is in response to isolated incidents of seam-tape separation observed in turnout gear in North America - utilizing both Gore and non-Gore moisture barriers - that has been stored in its original packaging for three or more years before being issued and worn.
The LRAD Corporation has announced the availability of the LRAD 360Xm, a highly intelligible, compact product designed for use at shorter distances and in defined spaces. This product meets the customer demand for a smaller version of the 360X in the mass-notification and emergency warning system markets.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review the effects of Global Positioning System (GPS) disruptions on the nation's critical infrastructure. GAO examined: (a) the extent to which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has assessed the risks and potential effects of GPS disruptions on critical infrastructure; (b) the extent to which the U.S. Department of Transportation and DHS have developed backup strategies to mitigate GPS disruptions; and (c) the best strategies that selected critical infrastructure sectors should employ to mitigate GPS disruptions and any related challenges.
A proposed U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule would speed the dissemination of new safety information about generic drugs to health professionals and patients by allowing generic drug makers to use the same process as brand-drug manufacturers to update safety information in the labeling of such products.
The TraceX® Explosives Kit aids in detecting the major explosive material threats and their precursors in a single test without exposing the user or kit to contamination and/or dangerous chemicals. The kit has already received a National Stock Number, issued by NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, allowing the TraceX® Explosives Kit to be purchased by all U.S. government military departments and other federal agencies under currently approved acquisition systems.
The University of Southern California is offering a graduate certificate program which provides students with the basic foundation, risk analysis skills, and knowledge needed to understand the the increasingly important issues surrounding homeland security and public policy.
The first step in preparing for a "Black Swan" event is to confirm that it actually exists. Once that is done, it is important to recognize its potential impact, implement the plans and strategies needed, and understand the roles played by all stakeholders involved.
President Barack Obama has released this important executive order to prepare the nation more effectively to weather the adverse impacts of climate change by taking the actions needed to upgrade the nation's climate preparedness and resilience capabilities.
Law enforcement officers, medical examiners, and coroners are now able to accumulate more data more quickly in their efforts to solve missing-person cases. Moreover, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System not only provides a wealth of helpful information to public agencies but also empowers families to help locate their loved ones.
The Thermo Scientific RIIDEye X handheld radiation isotope identifier is designed to protect first responders from harmful radiation by: (a) enabling users to detect and identify radiation in the environment; and (b) give them the feedback needed to determine the location, type, and quantity of radiation detected.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment. Those Plans, developed to support President Obama's recently announced Climate Action Plan and Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change, provide detailed information about the actions EPA plans to take across the country to help communities adapt to a changing climate.
This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the United States Park Police (USPP) highlights the special event planning process, from the application form to the after-action report. The men and women of the USPP protect First Amendment rights, ensure the safety and security of visitors, and provide daily law enforcement protection. From "Park Watchmen" to "Masters of Collaboration," the uniformed men and women of the USPP have a legacy worth modeling.
Using a mobile app on their smartphones and tablets, the emergency management officials of Fort Collins, Colorado, have documented an estimated $1.4 million of property and infrastructure damage, and $2 million of debris removal, caused by the massive flooding in September. The RunMobile system is designed to help emergency managers and recovery specialists improve the speed and consistency of damage assessment reporting both during and after a disaster.
November is Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, which recognizes the important role that critical infrastructure plays in the nation's way of life and why it is important to expand and reinforce critical infrastructure security and resilience capabilities.
