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DHS inspector general criticizes FEMA oversight of search and rescue teams
Many task forces rated themselves below 50 percent readiness; few complying with training, maintenance, and record-keeping requirements
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Disaster Management Systems critical for insurance companies
Off-site, on-line lockboxes hold claims information, lists of assets submitted by customers
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IT failure tops list of small business continuity concerns
Despite high recognition of the problem, implementation lags behind; new British continuity standards loom
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Louisiana officials worry about levees
Tropical Storm Ernesto heads toward Gulf of Mexico; evacuation planning seems improved but overtopping and breaching still threaten levees
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9/11, Katrina anniversaries highlight radio interoperability problems
Government grants have done little to improve municipal communications; New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Tulsa provide models of ongoing difficulties
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Engineering Systems Solutions announces successful test of its ForeWarn Universal Communicator
Successful DHS-sponsored simulation is a good sign for company’s ambitious expansion plans; test of the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network an even better sign for emergency responders nationwide
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Utility and telecom industries press government for national identification cards
Industries want immediate access to emergency sites; interoperability with FIPS-201-1 a critical issue
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Texas groups to offer pipeline emergency course
Innovative program uses a 2,300-foot underground pipeline to simulate oil and gas leaks; course to begin 28 August 2006
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Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International to hold conference in August
The Unmanned Vehicles 2006 Symposium and Exposition will present latest technology, offer technical sessions; Innova Robotics to demonstrate command and control system for mutiple unmanned vehicles
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Professor finds continuity planning improves employee morale
Employees report higher job satisfaction, stronger perceptions of control, enthusiasm for hard work
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Parvus Technology demonstrates wristwatch computer at LandWarNet conference
Zypad WL 1000 can download maps, detect if wearer is injured; although designed for military and industrial purposes, firefighters may also benefit
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UltraStrip Systems changes name to Ecosphere Technologies
A Florida engineering company changes its name; the company has several patents, registered and pending, for homeland security, military, and disaster recovery applications
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Smiths Detection wins contract to supply Army robot with chemical detector
Army will fit iRobot PackBot with Smiths’ Lightweight Chemical Detector (LCD); tests to continue in Alaska
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URS wins FEMA contract for hazard mitigation services
Company will provide engineering assessments, coastal flood analyses, and other pre-disaster and post-disaster services; the five year contract under the Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program is worth as much as $75 million
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The long view
Strengthening School Violence Prevention
Violence by K-12 students is disturbingly common. Ensuring that schools have effective ways to identify and prevent such incidents is becoming increasingly important. Expanding intervention options and supporting K-12 school efforts in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) would help.
Huge Areas May Face Possibly Fatal Heat Waves if Warming Continues
A new assessment warns that if Earth’s average temperature reaches 2 degrees C over the preindustrial average, widespread areas may become too hot during extreme heat events for many people to survive without artificial cooling.
Trump’s Cuts to Federal Wildfire Crews Could Have “Scary” Consequences
President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce have gutted the ranks of wildland firefighters and support personnel, fire professionals warn, leaving communities to face deadly consequences when big blazes arrive this summer. States, tribes and fire chiefs are preparing for a fire season with minimal federal support.