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Germans publish rogue wave atlas
Sensor-based instraments prove incapable of measuring these unpredictable forces; near-sinking of the Bremen may have spurred interest in SAR satelite approach; high risk zones identified
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Oracle shows GRC suite to compete with SAP
The field of corporate governance, risk, and compliance is growing, and application giant Oracle wants a piece of the action; the company acquires Stellent, a contents management specialist, and is getting set to compete with market-domianting SAP
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NIST: Search and rescue robots suffer communications problems
In a report mirroring concerns about UAVs and EOD drones, NIST says that urban search and rescue robots too often interfere with each other’s communications; neither ISM bands or established protocols solve the problem
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New life in the air raid siren market
Mass notification systems receive $1 billion in DHS budget; Acoustic Technology, Federal Signal, and others jump into the market; interoperability with other security systems the key
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EarthData International maps Mississippi flood planes
Company’s high resolution orthoimagery helps contractors and local planners make rapid decions; mapping program is funded by the Mississippi Development Authority with a HUD grant
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Oak Ridge scientist develops anti-berrylium dust-rag
Special coating seen as a cure for industrial inhalation problems, and technology may eventually aid in large-scale radiation clean-ups; Y-12 National Security Complex conducts tests but needs help bringing it to market;
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SAFEXIT offers intriguing building escape system
Easily attached to existing buildings, pulley and harness system carries evacuees down at 3.3 feet per second; devices is attached to a door frame and automatically deploys when an alarm sounds
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DHS releases $194 million in emergency management grants
States can use the money for equipment, training, and salaries; California, Texas, and New York are the big winners
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NPSTC objects to new public broadband safety network proposal
In contrast to the 30 MHz Cyren Call system, new FCC approach allocates only 12 MHz; to state and local officials this is inadequate to encourage private industry to build out into remote area; universal access and interference protection at issue
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UC Davis scientists use bacteria to fight earthquake liquification
Application of Bacillus pasteurii during or after construction creates a shell of calcium carbonate around sand grains; approach avoids use of dangerous chemicals; funding required for larger studies
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Emergency official suspended for asasaulting photographer
Columbia County, New York coordinator George Sharpe earns a thirty-day rest after attempting to destroy images of a pandemic response drill; HSDW demands a more creative punishment
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RealityMobile offers off-the-shelf situational control system
Relying on camera phones compatible with Palm OS or Windows Mobile 5.0, RealityVision system offers commanders unparalleled remote access to personnel on the ground
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The virtue of security syndication // by Ilan Meller
In addition to doing everything they can to make themselves more secure, individual organizations may enhance their security by forming a security syndicate with other organizations for the purpose of sharing security-related information; with more organizationas sharing more terror-related “dots,” it may be possible to connect these dots more effectively to form a larger, clearer threat picture
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FEMA seeks applicants for National Advisory Council
Council will advise FEMA administrator on the national preparedness goal, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System, and the National Response Plan; resumes due 9 March
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Continuity expert derides 80 percent post-disaster survival rates
Mel Gosling of the Business Continuity Institute looks into notion that 80 percent of businesses fail after a disaster if they lack contingency plans; poppycock, he says, citing a series of incidents in the United Kingdom
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More headlines
The long view
Evaluating U.S. Readiness to Prevent, Counter, and Respond to WMD
Two new reports review the adequacy of U.S. strategies to prevent, counter, and respond to the threat of nuclear and chemical terrorism and highlight the strengths and limitations of U.S. efforts to prevent and counter threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMD), particularly in a changing terrorism threat landscape.
'Hybrid’ Disaster Response Shows How Localization Saves Lives
By Josh Stowe
The earthquake that struck southwest Haiti in August 2021 killed thousands of people and left more than half a million seeking help. New research by a University of Notre Dame expert finds that the assessment of this disaster can serve as a model for evaluating future disasters and making life-saving improvements.
Texas Flooding Brings New Urgency to Houston Home Buyout Program
By Jake Bittle
The San Jacinto River is a national hotspot for ‘managed retreat,’ but recent floods show how far local officials still have to go.