The global positioning system & the geospatial information system - a technological marriage that has profound implications for law enforcement, national defense, & homeland security. But there are some potential pitfalls that also should be recognized.
In today's fast-moving world comprehensive, rapid, & continuing communications are the key to business success - and, in times of conflict, success on the battlefield as well. But what happens if communications systems are destroyed or made inoperable?
New state-of-the-art detection instruments of all types are now being deployed to determine the presence of and specifically identify a broad spectrum of chemical, biological, and radiological threats threatening the United States and American citizens.
Cooperation & coordination among and between numerous city agencies and the Raytheon Company produce a best-practice example of how the public and private sectors can, and should, pool their resources to upgrade their collective response capabilities.
Despite much improved health care throughout the world, when (not if) the "next pandemic" strikes it would almost certainly spread rapidly - and could kill millions, cause global economic chaos, and create widespread political unrest.
The upgrading of Coast's Guard communications capabilities is an achievement of life-and-death importance for those in distress at sea. The Rescue 21 system is now "operationally ready," says USCG Commandant Admiral Thad Allen.
When disaster strikes U.S. government agencies often turn to the private sector for assistance. But incident commanders cannot always be sure if non-government volunteers who show up are who they claim to be and/or possess the skills/training needed.
There are still some political hurdles ahead, but law-enforcement agencies throughout the country should soon be able to thwart terrorist acts and stop other crimes by the simple exchange of drivers-license photos from one state to another.
A quick but accurate analysis of unknown but potentially lethal agents detected by first responders at the scene of a mass-casualty incident can save many, many lives. That analysis requires skill, knowledge, and state-of-the-art analytical equipment.
The key to coping successfully with a mass-casualty incident or similar event is to plan ahead - as carefully and in as much detail as possible. It takes a lot of work, and all of it extremely tedious. But the end result is well worth the effort expended.
