Resilience / Recovery

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
- Read more
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;
- Read more

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
- Read more
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
- Read more

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
- Read more
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
- Read more

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
- Read more
L-3 announces new thermal imaging camera for rescuers
Thermal-Eye 5000xp offers a 400 percent increase in pixels and twice the field of view as the previous model; camera is designed for emergency rescue, law enforcement, and perimeter security
- Read more

Interoperability fund struggles to get off the ground
Congressional Research Service dings DHS for failing to reach a memorandum of understanding with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; a 30 September deadline looms, and security officials worry about 2008 budget cuts
- Read more
California Highway Patrol boosts response capabilities
$6.4 million in grants from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security permits the force to purchase two fixed-wing aircraft, nine mobile command centers, and two water response vehicles
- Read more

University of Portsmouth to test antibacterial gown
Hospital garb is coated with an anti-microbial coating known as Permagard; effort intended to mitigate MRSA transmission; unique design also minimizes contact with nurses
- Read more
UC Irvine offers emergency planning course
University extension offers a series of lectures and tabletop exercises in disaster management; Irvine’s emergency management coordinator to provide instruction
- Read more

Hawaii a case study in cross-juristictional emergency cooperation
Earthquake last year offers a model of Hawaii’s can-do attitude; emergency response personell trained to respond to leadership, not rank; power failures doomed radio communications, so planners consider buying backup generators for the island’s radio stations
- Read more
Congress takes a serious look at Cyren Call
After an FCC rejection in November, the Commerce committee revisits the idea of creating a national wireless network for first responders; John McCain offers his support; critics, angry about the idea of giving away valuable spectrum, gird for battle
- Read more
Incident command systems aid in business continuity
Emergency planning is critical, but a rigid approach can only compound problems; ICSs permit flexible response while ensure a chain of command; predetermining roles and responsibility key to success
- Read more

More headlines