Disaster Preparedness


World's Tallest Tower Opens in Tokyo

Developers of the Tokyo Skytree expect more than 25 million visitors annually. The design & engineering firm has called it “a pinnacle of safety in earthquake-prone Japan.”

Eaton Acquiring Cooper Industries, Incorporating in Ireland

The $11.8 billion deal "creates a game changer to serve the electrical industry," said Alexander M. Cutler, Eaton's chairman and CEO.

Red Cross Launches New Emergency Preparedness Online Tools

An Emergency Response Plan Tool enables program members to build a customized plan to help their employees know their roles in the first 24-72 hours of an emergency.

Sprint Driver Racing for Blood Donations

Greg Biffle is a member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet and a regular blood donor, according to the American Red Cross, which announced his No. 16 car will bear the names of 33 blood donors during the May 19 race.

Deadline Nears for Joplin Homeowners' Claims

The Missouri Department of Insurance is warning residents whose insurance claims are incomplete that many policies contain a 12-month deadline for consumers to receive full compensation.

Key Resolutions Await AMA Delegates

Studying the effect of on-site medical clinics on employee benefits and continuously evaluating limits on residents' hours are proposed in two resolutions to be considered at the House of Delegates 2012 Annual Meeting.

IAFC, DOT Piloting Free Hazmat Training

The Electronic Learning Community is now available to provide high-quality training for emergency responders. Its first course concerns responding to situations involving hydrogen fuels.

Wharton Duo Propose Steps to Reduce Catastrophes' Losses

The paper by Professors Howard Kunreuther and Erwann Michel-Kerjan for Copenhagen Consensus 2012 suggests four steps, including flood walls and effective early disaster warning systems.



FEMA National Preparedness Report Finds Shortcomings in Cybersecurity, Disaster Recovery

In addition, the report reflects how the nation has made significant progress addressing opportunities for improvement identified after events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

Amtrak Creates Emergency Management Department

Also responsible for corporate security strategy, the new department consolidates eight emergency management-related functions now located in various departments.

Get Ready for Wildfire Season: NFPA Offers Home Safety Tips

“The unusually dry and windy weather at this time of year means that wildfires pose a greater threat to individual properties and neighborhoods across the U.S.,” said Michele Steinberg, NFPA’s Firewise Communities program manager.

The 40-foot Big Blue Bear outside the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver is the brainchild of Denver sculptor Lawrence Argent.

Safety 2012: The 'Bear' Necessities

This year's ASSE gathering in Denver will be something of a jungle, booked to the rafters.

Reaching Out to Friends and Family

First prize and $10,000 went to developers of an app named Lifeline that will be launched before this year's hurricane season.

DNV Acquires Arctic Spill Response Firm

The region's cold and remote conditions will require improved technology to prevent oil spills, the company said in announcing the move.

FEMA, NOAA Tweeted Storm Preparedness

Craig Fugate, FEMA's administrator, and NOAA Deputy Administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan took questions about preparedness for special populations and teaching schoolchildren about severe weather.

Preparing for More Costly Gulf Storms

Entergy Texas Inc. and Lamar University sponsored the Southeast Texas Coastal Resilience Forum last week, bringing together experts to discuss how to make harden coastal communities against more intense storms.

$2 Million Prize in DARPA Robotics Challenge

The challenge will launch in October 2012, but the agency holds a workshop on April 16 to outline it for interested parties.

IMO's Chief Remembers Titanic Victims

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu's video message for April 14 recalls the great ship's sinking a century ago.

Coors Field Now StormReady

Warning coordination meteorologist Robert Glancy will present a StormReady plaque and certificates to the Colorado Rockies at their April 13 game.

SF Drivers Warned about Demolition Delays, Noise

The demolition of Doyle Drive, the southern connection to the Golden Gate Bridge that has been in place since 1936, is scheduled to begin April 27-30.

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5/24: It's Not Just the SAMHSA 5 Anymore: K2/Spice, Bath Salts and Emerging Drug Trends
Which drugs should employers test for? Synthetic drugs like K2 and Spice, as well as seemingly harmless products like Bath Salts, have become as popular as the illegal drugs they try to mimic. These questions and more will be explored in this enlightening webinar.

5/30: An Introduction to Machine Safety
A common sense look at the regulatory framework of machine safety, best practices and practical solutions to ensuring a safe machine and workplace.

5/31: IAQ is Critical to Earning LEED Points, Green Building and a Healthy Workplace
This is an informative webinar on the role of high performance buildings in workplace health and safety.

6/14: OHSAS Guidance for Small Businesses: Protect and Grow Your Business
OHSAS 18001:2007 Certification offers more than just a globally recognized Health and Safety System. It can also help your business.

6/27: The Different Forms of Machine Safeguarding and When to Use Them
Some of the topics include: the different forms of safeguarding and when to use them. Safety devices to be reviewed may include: interlocking devices, light curtains, safety mats, safety scanners, two hand control units, and safety strips.

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