Unfortunately, for many first responders, and despite warnings posted by the victims, over 80% of police and first responders have been injured when responding to chemical suicide situations. The Chameleon® Chemical Suicide Detection Kit offers police, EMS and first responders a field-configurable, low-cost, easy-to-use, hands-free solution when encountering a chemical suicide.
Everyone is in favor of "good government" (at a reasonable cost). But a clear, complete, and universally accepted definition of what constitutes good government is almost impossible to find. The same holds true of "resilience" - which all responders, emergency managers, political leaders, and everyday citizens approve of - and are even willing to pay for. Here is a "robust" analysis of the problem.
The U.S. Army's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is home to scores of the most dangerous poisons, chemicals, explosive and radioactive materials, gases, and other toxic "substances" in the world. They are there for a humanitarian purpose: so they can be studied, analyzed, and tested in depth, and in numerous imaginative ways, to protect the nation's warfighters and the American people.
"Children are not small adults," said Susan Cummins, M.D., chief pediatric medical officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "This pediatric face mask helps fill an unmet need for medical devices that are specifically designed for children's unique anatomy and growing bodies."
The term "Resilience" started out as a vague and ill-defined insiders' buzzword, later escalated into a good idea, then became an operational goal, and eventually an equal partner with readiness, response, and recovery. In the last several years it has continued to evolve into a major area of operations and a new field of study at colleges and universities throughout the nation.
On 22 May 2011, one of the most devastating tornadoes in the nation's history killed 159 people and injured over 1,000 more in Joplin, Missouri. From a National Weather Service (NWS) perspective, this was essentially a "warned" event in light of the fact that: (a) advance notice of the tornado was given; (b) critical information was communicated and received; and (c) most of the people warned sought the best shelter available to them. Still, there is more to learn and to help reduce fatalities; to help accomplish this the NWS has conducted over 100 interviews to find out what worked and what did not. The key findings are included in this report.
The National Disaster Recovery Framework is a guide that facilitates effective recovery support to disaster-impacted states, tribes, and both territorial and local jurisdictions. It now introduces six new Recovery Support Functions that provide a structure to help problem solving, improve access to resources, and foster coordination among state and federal agencies as well as with nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.
"Bringing together the robust technology and innovative leadership of our two companies redefines what is possible in the emergency preparedness and response industry," said Andy Nunemaker, President of Intermedix EMSystems division. "This combination will not only benefit our client base, but will benefit the industry as a whole and the communities they serve."
Loyola University Maryland's Sellinger School of Business and Management will launch a new 15-credit graduate Cybersecurity Certificate program in January 2012. The part-time one-year program is geared toward business professionals who are seeking management-level certification and enhanced skills in cybersecurity and information assurance.
Earthquakes, hurricanes & other recent emergencies underscore the need to empower the public with practical information on preparing to communicate before, during, and after a disaster strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have released new tips for consumers aimed at preparing them for major disasters when communications networks are more likely to be compromised or damaged.
Cassidian Communications has announced that it will showcase - at the Innovation Fair being held by EADS North America on September 28-29, 2011 - a ground-breaking interactive demonstration of next-generation (NG) 9-1-1 solutions, including CAD and Mapping, the digital trunked P25 Land Mobile Radio (LMR) solution, and emergency notifications for public safety.
Smiths Detection has launched a new wireless communication system to improve both situational awareness and early-warning response to chemical attacks or threats detected by its suite of chemical sensors. Sensa-LINX easily integrates into Smiths Detection's chemical warfare agent & toxic industrial chemical sensors used in military and emergency response applications.
Thanks at least partially to the "do no harm" precept mandated in the Hippocratic Oath, the practice of medicine has for centuries been built on a firm foundation of acceptable ethics. Which is why some highly respected medical experts are now raising questions about current U.S. policies governing the proper approach to dealing with new anthrax attacks in the post-9/11 era.
Throughout history, the most difficult enemy to stop has been the lone-wolf assassin willing to sacrifice his/her own life for what he/she considers a noble cause. When that person is part of a larger team of would-be martyrs, the task becomes immensely more difficult and broader in scope. Advance training helps - but not enough - to stop what, in the 21st century, has become a clear and present danger in all peace-loving nations in the world.
The Task Force on Secure Communities, a subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) created at the request of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, was asked: (a) to consider how Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) may improve the Secure Communities Program; (b) to address some of the concerns that relate to the program's impact on community policing & the possibility of racial profiling; and (c) to make recommendations on how ICE can adjust and improve the program.
The advanced development of a novel next-generation anthrax vaccine and a new type of anthrax antitoxin have received significant support through new contracts funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The vaccine being developed under this contract could be administered as a spray in the nostrils, and administered by non-medical personnel, making administration easier and potentially increasing the number of people who could be vaccinated against this potentially fatal infection.
FLIR Systems has been awarded the Force Protection Omnibus contract through the U.S. Army Product Manager, Force Protection Systems (PM-FPS). This five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract has a maximum award value of $997 million. Under the contract, FLIR will provide best-in-class integrated systems, associated services, and other products to support both inside-the-wire and outside-the-wire integrated base defense operations.
President Obama's proposal to fund the development and initial deployment of a public safety nationwide wireless broadband network would lead to the creation of an estimated 100,000 new jobs, according to a recently released report by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International.
"When faced with an incident involving hazardous materials or dangerous goods, emergency responders need access to reliable information and assistance immediately," said Randy Speight, managing director of CHEMTREC. "Every day of the year for the past 40 years, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CHEMTREC has been providing immediate assistance to emergency responders to ensure they can properly address any hazardous situation that they are facing."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just announced the development of a streamlined, integrated approach to effectively and rapidly respond to human and animal foodborne illness outbreaks: the FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network. The CORE Network is basically a multi-disciplinary team created specifically to work full-time on outbreak prevention and response.
ESi and the Vox Generation Group have announced the launch of the first new software product of their joint venture company, Boards Talk LLC. Boards Talk powered by WebEOC® introduces a direct "voice-to-machine" interface between the award-winning Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology of VoxGen and WebEOC® Professional from ESi, the most widely used crisis information management software in the world.
A career professional who lost many co-workers, and personal friends, on that second date "that will live in infamy" recalls the horror, the pain, the suffering, and the personal anguish. Then he immediately goes back to work and offers a few cogent suggestions on the best way to "continue the fight" in honor of the many innocent victims who died on 9/11.
The nation's first responders and emergency managers are focusing increased attention on how to deal with the invisible but nonetheless deadly consequences of a "dirty bomb" terrorist incident. It is respectfully suggested here that a helpful way to start would be to understand the basics of radiation, including the fact that not all atoms are created equal.
After the training for hospital decontamination or hospital evacuation is over, it is sometimes difficult to determine the next steps to maintain the level of preparedness needed. That is why DQE has developed the What's Next Sustainment Program as a way to support emergency preparedness coordinators and their staff throughout the year.
"When it comes to health care, information is power. When patients have their lab results, they are more likely to ask the right questions, make better decisions, and receive better care," said Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "This...offers a unique opportunity for the public and private sectors alike to share strategies to improve consumer access to their health information, while safeguarding the privacy and security of their data."
"Advanced imaging technology is one of the best layers of security we have to address the threats of today and tomorrow," said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole. "We remain committed to deploying this integral counterterrorism tool in order to ensure the highest level of security for the traveling public."
ICF International has announced that it won a re-compete contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement the agency's Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) program. The REP program was established to address the need for communities surrounding the nation's commercial nuclear power plants to build the robust and effective preparedness and response capabilities needed to deal with potential radiological emergencies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced two new pilot projects that will enhance the agency's, and industry's, ability to trace products responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks. The pilots will evaluate the methods and technologies used for the rapid and effective tracing of foods, including the types of data useful for tracing, the ways to connect various points in the supply chain, and how quickly the data are made available to the FDA.
Raytheon Company's Network Centric Systems new product line, Security and Transportation Systems (STS), will facilitate an even stronger presence in public safety markets through cross-selling capabilities to commercial and government customers and by enabling the development of new technologies and products to meet changing market needs.
FLIR Systems Inc. has announced that it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army valued at up to $50 million for repair and maintenance services for the Army's force protection surveillance systems now fielded across the globe.
President of the United States of America Barack Obama has announced his proclamation as September 2011 being National Preparedness Month and encourages all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and observe this month by working together to enhance our national security, resilience, and readiness.
Until the atomic bomb came along, the Plague that devastated Europe in the Middle Ages and the Spanish Flu of 1918-1920 were the most lethal weapons of mass destruction the world had ever seen. Those same diseases, and many others, are still a major threat to the future of mankind. Today, fortunately, much more is known about them - but prevention is still the best medicine.
California's Ventura County uses forward-looking tracking capabilities to plan for mass evacuations. Its emergency planners are already focusing on the worst-case scenarios of a future nuclear or chemical attack, including the possibility that hundreds of thousands of refugees from Los Angeles might see the county as their destination of choice in a future time of sudden disaster.
"We need health information technology (HIT) to bring our health care system into the 21st century," said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These funds will help safety net providers acquire state-of-the-art health information technology systems to ensure the delivery of quality care to some of the most remote areas of our country."
L-3 Security & Detection Systems has announced that its eXaminer SX explosives detection system (EDS) has passed the European Union (EU) Commission Regulation Standard 3 for EDS under the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Common Evaluation Process (CEP) of Security Equipment. The reduced-size eXaminer SX delivers the best value in certified CT threat detection with continuous-flow detection, excellent in-line throughput, and robust 3-D imaging capabilities.
"These funds will help health departments around the country maximize the impact of the essential services they provide every day, and build the public health workforce to ensure we're ready to meet the public health challenges of tomorrow," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Strengthening our nation's public health system is critical to protecting the health of all Americans."
Lexipol is proud to announce the launch of its Fire Policy Manual and Daily Training Bulletin service in California. Lexipol services include state-specific, customizable, web-based policy manuals that integrate solid, realistic, ongoing, and verifiable training. Lexipol is recognized for its proactive approach, backed by technical and legal expertise, to decreasing liability exposure.
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International pointed to the release of the 9/11 Commission Report Card as further evidence of the immediate need for Congress to pass legislation that would: (1) allocate to public safety the D block spectrum within the 700 MHz band; (2) provide up to $11.75 billion in funding derived from incentive-based and other spectrum auctions; and (3) provide for a strong, independent governance structure with public safety as well as state and local government representation.
Stay competitive as a working professional in the safety, security and emergency management industry with Eastern Kentucky University's (EKU) prestigious Master's degree, offered 100% online. EKU's Homeland Security concentration prepares you to recognize hazards and threats, shape policy, and work within the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the impacts of terrorism and natural disasters.
