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Practical guides to disaster recovery planning in SMEs
Gartner says that “40% of all SMBs will go out of business if they cannot get to their data in the first 24 hours after a crisis”; two papers aim to help SMBs prepare for disaster
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DHS to start trials of emergency radio
DHS is launching a trial of a software-defined radio handset from Thales which is designed to operate on all the frequencies used by the emergency services
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DARPA funds see-through vidspecs, war-graffiti project
Lockheed martin turns to Microvision to develop “daylight-readable, see-through, low-profile, ergonomic” color video specs; in addition, the final device should incorporate “voice and tactile command” interfaces, some sort of location system
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Second thoughts about public alert systems
Public alert systems, which the authorities use to send messages about disasters to citizens’ cell phones and computers, have become popular among cities and localities; more and more of these localities, though, have began to question the efficacy and cost of these systems
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Using cell phones to predict floods
Researchers show that variations in microwave transmissions, specifically those used to connect up cell towers, can be used to measure humidity and thus predict flooding
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Soteria provides more details of search-and-rescue helicopter capabilities
The Soteria Consortium — consisting of RBS, Thales, and CHC — is competing with the AirKnight consortium for the lucrative contract to provide the U.K. government and localities with search-and-rescue helicopters
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GAO finds major security flaws at federal buildings
Undercover investigators sneaked bombs and detonators past security guards and into federal buildings occupied by DHS, Justice, and State departments; the investigators were able to assembled the bombs, carried them in a briefcase and “walked freely around several floors”
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SAIC acquires Beck Disaster Recovery
SAIC, a government contractor with revenues last year of $10.1 billion, wants a bigger presence in disaster recovery operations; it acquires a Florida-based disaster recovery specialist, changing its name to SAIC’s Homeland Protection & Preparedness business unit
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New type of El Niño may mean more hurricanes make landfall
The form of El Niño may be changing potentially causing not only a greater number of hurricanes than in average years, but also a greater chance of hurricanes making landfall
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Rat-like rescue robot uses whiskers to feel its way through rubble
Researchers developed rat-like robot which can crawl through — and under — rubble in search for victims trapped under collapsed buildings; robot uses long plastic whiskers at the side of its head to detect objects and radio back to a control center
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Soteria chooses Sikorsky
Soteria — a consortium bidding for a U.K. search and rescue helicopter contract — has selected the Sikorsky S-92 as its preferred mission aircraft
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Orsus forms users group in the situation management market
First meeting of users group brings together core users of Situator to share best practices, ideas for product development
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Researchers develop ways for humans to use bat-like sonar vision
A team of Spanish researchers has developed a method of giving humans the power of echolocation or “biosonar” — used by bats for flying at night; first responders, search-and-rescue teams will be able to “see” through smoke, bodies, walls
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New bullet proof vests will be made from cement
University of Leeds researchers say that vests made of cement would offer cost-effective level of protection for many people at risk; it should be good enough for people like security guards, reporters and aid workers who are worried about the odd pot shot being taken at them
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Hiding buildings from earthquakes
The seismic waves of an earthquake fall into two main groups: body waves that propagate through the Earth, and surface waves that travel only across the surface; invisibility cloaks could be used to make buildings invisible to surface waves
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The long view
The Surprising Reasons Floods and Other Disasters Are Deadlier at Night
It’s not just that it’s dark and people are asleep. Urban sprawl, confirmation bias, and other factors can play a role.
Why Flash Flood Warnings Will Continue to Go Unheeded
Experts say local education and community support are key to conveying risk.