-
Ball Aerospace proposes asteroid-busting robots
The collective action problem aside, saving the planet may be more important than saving the homeland; basketball-sized drones would swarm the asteroid, with some exploding while others listen to vibrations; Ball looks for funding and promises a three year delivery date
-
-
Zombie masters move into the 21st century
Oak Ridge scientists identify thirty distinct compounds emitted from rotting bodies; data will help train dogs, but cunning investors may see opportunities for handheld sensor devices; report recalls a fingerscanning device intended for the deceased
-
-
Raytheon launches Quad Cities interoperability pilot
$2 million test project will link up emergency responders in neighboring Illinois and Iowa cities; remote broadband and mobile situational awareness among the capabilities on the menu; Nortel, New Era Wireless, NexPort, DropFire, and EAGLE Project lend a hand
-
-
NYC to allow citizens to upload photos during 911 and 311 calls
Breakthrough concept relies on established technology to help diffuse information; photos of suspicious individuals can be quickly uploaded to dispatch authorities; citizens protect infrastructure by keeping their eyes (and apertures) open
-
-
U.K. to spend £1.7 million on urban flooding projects
Urban flooding caused by limited drainage system and ancient infrastructure; overlapping and conflicting government authorities make the problem difficult to solve; global warming has British government anxious
-
-
IT spending for first responders to reach $4.4 billion by 2011
Government agencies report increased confidence in technology; money and guidance from the federal level is still wanting; lack of coordination betweem agencies remains a major challenge
-
-
Federal Signal Corporations buys Codespear
Purchase of interoperability and data-sharing firm a sign that FSC is moving whole-heartedly into the security business; company already known for its E-ONE fire apparatus
-
-
California inventor patents rotating drum to clean up oil spills
Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on a flat pallete to collect oil, drum uses conventric grooves and surface tension to quickly lift and remove pollution; government scientists say system is twice as effective as others;
-
-
Biocryst wins $102 million HSS contract to develop peramivir treatments
Birmingham-based comapny will explore use of peramivir for the treatment of seasonal and severe influenzas, including bird flu; both intravenous and intramuscular formulations on the agenda
-
-
Mustang Survival announces new rescue inflatable
Rescue Stick inflates upon contact with water; sleek design permits easy storage poolside or in a boat or vehicle; professional lifesavers find a clever friend in this unique device
-
-
CDC awards $3.7 million in Biosense grants
Researchers at New York City’s Department of Health and Hygiene, the University of Utah, and Johns Hopkins University to investigate improved ways of sharing critical health surveillance data
-
-
Buffalo researchers to examine emergency response under pressure
University scientists to see if firemen and EMTs perform better or worse when they know their families are in danger; discriminating 2006 snowstorm provides a useful control group
-
-
Camero "through-wall vision" technology earns $14 million in funding
Israeli company sells $1 milliion in product in only four months of prototype sales; RF signals generate 3D images from behind concrete, wood, and cement; military forces snatch up available models, but company sees a large market among emergency responders; smaller model for search and rescue in development
-
-
Texas school district takes the Rapid Responder plunge
Prepared Response’s flagship product continues to expand; Castleberry Independent School District puts a $100,000 DoE grant to work; system permits individual responders to instantly access predetermined safety plans, floor plans, utility shut-off locations, and more
-
-
Analysts see coming boom in municipal interoperability gear
Coming on the heels of a DHS report showing two-thirds of states and municipalities are underprepared, Datamonitor survey finds an expected spending increase of 40 percent over five years
-
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.