Fire/Emergency Response Communications
Researchers Develop Natural Disaster Network
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed an emergency communications network that will maintain operation during natural disasters and provide critical warnings and geographic information to people affected by the disasters. ...
Going Online to Track the Flu
Hospitals may have a new tool at their disposable to better anticipate flu cases in their area. It's simple, it's free, and it's something many Americans use every day. In fact, you might have used it to find this article. Give up? It's Google...
Federal Agencies Address Emergency Information Dissemination in the Age of Social Media
When you need important – perhaps even life-or-death – information, you want it now. And with Twitter and smartphones, you probably assume such instant communication should be possible. In response to this evolution in the way we communicate, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) are working to modernize the dissemination of national warnings and alerts...
HEROES Act Aims to Help First Responders Comply with Communications Upgrade
The Help Emergency Responders Operate Emergency Systems (HEROES) Act, introduced into Congress Sept. 20 in a bipartisan effort, aims to help first responders comply with a federal mandate requiring them to update their communications equipment – without relying solely on local taxpayers’ wallets...
AHMP Emergency Response Simulation Shows Importance of Communication, Preparedness
On Aug. 30, the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), along with the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, simulated a response scenario involving a chemical spill. AHMP Executive Director Cedric Calhoun, FASAE, CAE, spoke with EHS Today to discuss the response efforts and the importance of communication and preparedness...
Online Community Gives First Responders a Place to Discuss Social Media Best Practices
As the public increasingly turns to Twitter and Facebook for the latest breaking news during an emergency or disaster, first responders also use social media to educate, train and share information. Now, a special online community brings first responders together to discuss the effective use of social media in their work...
Roundtable Participants Gain Insight into Pressing Emergency Telecommunications Issues
The subject of texting emergencies to 9-1-1 came up as part of a discussion at the final two roundtables at the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International’s meeting in Orlando, with some participants believing it was a positive move that would aid in saving lives while others called it “a nightmare.”...
In Wake of Bin Laden's Execution, PSA Pushes for Public Safety Legislation
According to the Public Safety Alliance (PSA), thousands of public safety officers applauded the bi-partisan, long-term effort of the Obama and Bush Administrations for the May 2 execution of al Qaeda lead terrorist Osama bin Laden – but additional legislation is needed to ensure these responders can continue their work safely and effectively...
First Responders, Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate Launch a Virtual Social Media Working Group
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s First Responder Communities of Practice recently launched a Virtual Social Media Working Group (VSMWG) comprised of first responders and homeland security professionals from various disciplines, localities, sectors and government agencies across the country...
Fire Chiefs Support President Obama’s Call to Establish a Nationwide Public-Safety Broadband Network
On Feb. 10, President Barack Obama called for the establishment of a high-speed wireless broadband network for public safety during an address detailing his proposals for expanded wireless access...
Survey: Natural Disasters, Terrorist Threats Top Americans’ Public Safety Concerns
Three in five Americans are most concerned about emergencies involving a natural disaster or terrorist attack, with a health pandemic closely following as a top concern among 46 percent of respondents, according to Federals Signal’s 2010 Public Safety survey...
DHS Secretary Napolitano Commemorates 9/11, Highlights National Security Efforts
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano visited New York City Sept. 10-11 to commemorate the ninth anniversary of 9/11, tour the new construction at the site of the terrorist attacks and highlight DHS initiatives to strengthen homeland security...
Red Cross: Web Users Increasingly Rely on Social Media to Seek Help in a Disaster
A new American Red Cross survey shows many Web users would turn to social media to seek help for themselves or others during emergencies – and they expect first responders to be listening...
Mass Notification Systems: A Useful Tool during Pandemic Response
The recent H1N1 flu pandemic clearly demonstrates why health facility administrators must prepare their responses to large-scale public health emergencies using every tool available. There is much at stake...
GHS: What You Need to Know
On Sept. 30, acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab announced a proposed rule to align OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (hazcom standard) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)...
Emergency Managers Join Emergency Preparedness Drills Scheduled for Sept. 11
The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) USA Council will participate in emergency communication drills and shelter in place drills on Sept. 11 as part of a national campaign encouraging organizations to rehearse what they would do during a natural disaster or other form of emergency...
Start Talking
Why public safety agencies must tap technology to bridge gaps and strengthen communications for ideal incident response...
Speed, Social Media and Crisis Communication
Organizations communicating health and safety information during a crisis need to respond quickly and in common terms when communicating to the public, otherwise audiences will seek information elsewhere...
AIHce: Communicating Risk and Effective Crisis Communications
Session speaker Pam Ferrante, CSP, CHMM, discussed key elements of effective crisis and risk communication at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) ...
New Program Evaluates Labs for Emergency Communications Tests
To help ensure that first responders, public safety officers and military personnel can always talk with each other no matter what communications equipment they are using, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have teamed up to create a program to help ensure the interoperability of communications equipment....
DHS Announces $34 Million in Emergency Operations Center Grants
On Dec. 16, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opened the application period for approximately $34 million under the FY 2009 Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program. These grants are intended to improve state, local and tribal emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable Emergency Operations Centers....
The Ready Campaign Encourages Americans to Resolve to Be Ready in 2009
With the new year approaching, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Ready Campaign reminds Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2009. Resolve to be Ready is a nationwide effort designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year....
Homeland Security and Defense Business Council Releases Brief on SAFETY Act
On Oct. 28, the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council released "Why Robust Use of the SAFETY Act is Critical to Homeland Security & How to Get There,” the first white paper in a series of executive briefs for companies working in the homeland security industry. ...
OSHA, AIHA Renew Alliance
Employers and employees will receive valuable workplace safety and health information and training resources on general industry, construction and emergency response issues through a renewed alliance signed Oct. 27 between OSHA and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)....
Nearly Half of U.S. States Fail on Emergency Plan Communication
Seven years after Sept. 11, and in the wake of major natural disasters such as forest fires, hurricanes and flooding, nearly half of U.S. states either have no state-level emergency plan or do not provide it readily to the public, reveals a new study by George Mason University Communication Professor Carl Botan....
