The U.S. Fire Administration reported over 1.3 million structure fires in 2017 causing an estimated 3,400 deaths, 14,670 injuries and $23 billion dollars in damages. The high cost of today's fire problem in lives and property is leading some researchers to look for innovative fire protection solutions. One such solution is nanotechnology. It is used to make building and product materials stronger, lighter and at the same time, more fire resistant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Victim Services Response Team (VSRT) is a specially trained cadre of FBI personnel whose primary function is to address the needs of victims in mass casualty events. The FBI’s VSRT, which includes victim specialists, agents, and analysts from around the country, was established in 2005 to provide support for victims in large-scale events.
Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC and Children’s National Health System announced a collaboration to launch JLABS @ Washington, DC, a 32,000-square foot facility to be located at the new Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C. As part of the JLABS @ Washington, DC launch, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will collaborate with Johnson & Johnson Innovation–JLABS to develop and maintain a specialized innovation zone dedicated to the advancement of medical countermeasures aimed at securing the nation from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, as well as from pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leaders signed an agreement to maximize inspection and detection capabilities in order to prevent illegal and harmful products that pose threats to public health from entering the United States through the nation’s international mail facilities and ports of entry.
Department of Defense (DoD) leaders briefed the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on intelligence and emerging threats and capabilities. The leaders outlined a number of steps the DoD is taking to strengthen its anti-weapons of mass destruction (WMD) efforts.
Calling all company-level officers, chief officers, and supervisors who have department-level health and safety responsibilities (such as program planning and implementation) and who may serve as an incident safety officer or department health and safety officer. This six-day course provides knowledge and practice in the context of current issues to develop strategies of risk management associated with the provision of firefighting and emergency medical services to reduce firefighter fatalities and injuries. Course openings are available for July 2019. Register today!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule classifying in vitro diagnostic devices for the detection of Bacillus bacteria into class II (moderate-risk) with special controls. Bacillus bacteria detection devices are prescription devices that provide a preliminary identification of Bacillus anthracis and other Bacillus species to help diagnose cases of anthrax and other diseases caused by Bacillus bacteria.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) awarded Smiths Detection Inc. a contract for 300 Computed Tomography systems and associated ancillary equipment and services. This technology will vastly enhance threat detection capabilities for carry-on baggage and overall effectiveness at airport security checkpoints across the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) invites industry, academia, laboratories, and the innovation community to submit white papers related to 12 first responder technology funding opportunities. The new Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation (BAA 18-02 Call 0001) will remain open until 1 May 2019.
On 26 March 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed the Executive Order on Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses, the first-ever comprehensive whole-of-government policy to build resilience and protect against electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). Without protection, these temporary electromagnetic signals can disrupt, degrade, and damage technology and critical infrastructure systems across large areas.
