Disaster Preparedness


NFA Completes Management Curriculum Overhaul

The United States Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) has completed a top-to-bottom review and update of its Management Science curriculum. This comprehensive review includes new course content, addressing emerging issues, and challenges faced by the nation's fire and emergency medical services. Course names now reflect the increasingly diverse role contemporary fire and emergency medical services leaders play in their communities.

FDA Commissioner Addresses Health Care Professionals on H1N1 Vaccine Safety

Food and Drug Administrator Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg recently sent a letter to America's health care professionals thanking them for their efforts during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak and providing information on safety monitoring of the 2009 H1N1 vaccines.

Coast Guard Station Receives New Rescue Airboat

Currently, USCG members must walk -- carrying all of their equipment -- to any ice rescue scenes, which can take valuable time in rescue efforts. With the airboat, which goes over ice and water, rescuers will be able to reach more incidents and get there faster.

residential fire sprinkler

Three States Adopt Sprinkler Requirements

NFPA applauds Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and California for their actions on requiring home fire sprinklers per an initiative the association launched last year.

Rebuild Haiti with Seismic Safety Principles in Mind, ICC Urges

“Structures built to the most modern codes should resist minor earthquakes without suffering damage and ride out severe earthquakes without collapsing,” said ICC CEO Richard P. Weiland.

IOSH says the most powerful Buncefield explosion is thought to be the largest ever in peacetime Europe. This photo is posted on the site of MP Mike Penning.

Gasoline Terminals May Yet Fall Under CFATS

The Department of Homeland Security has not agreed to exempt them, and it published a new request for comments today about the models it is using for vapor cloud explosions and pool fires. The industry asked to be exempted.

AT&T Offers Winter Storm Tips, Advises Families to Have Communication Plan

Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain that all family members know whom to contact if they become separated. Most important, practice your emergency plan in advance.

New OSHA Videos Put Respirators, Facemasks in Starring Roles

The videos also explain how workers can perform a user seal check to test whether a respirator is worn properly and will provide the expected level of protection.



National Influenza Vaccination Week Kicks Off Today

On Tuesday, HHS and CDC will host a webinar with the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association, and the American Cancer Society. Other activities are planned all week, focusing on the importance of continuing the tide of flu vaccinations.

FAA Sets Safety Conditions for 787's Crew Rest Compartments

Boeing's second Dreamliner completed its first flight on Dec. 22 from Everett, Wash., to Seattle. The first production aircraft will be delivered next year to Japan's All Nippon Airways.

USFA Offers Home Heating Safety Tips

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment.

DHS to Host Free Webinar on Critical Infrastructure Resiliency

Presenter Rand Beers, under secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, will discuss the infrastructure protection mission and “The Next Frontier in Homeland Security.”

In 2004, 11 U.S. communities were prepared for a tsunami through the TsunamiReady program, but now 72 communities are considered ready.

Five Years After Indonesian Tsunami, Readiness Improved

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it received $225 million since that Dec. 26, 2004, disaster for expanded detection and warning systems, research, community education, and a global warning network and technology transfer program.

Coast Guard Issues Christmas Kayak Safety Advisory

"My goal is to intentionally dampen the excitement of launching any new boat," said USCG's Al Johnson, "unless the person is properly attired and prepared for sudden cold water immersion. It might sound excessive, but if it saves a life, it isn't."

The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act created BARDA within HHS and made it the hub of federal efforts to develop and acquire medical countermeasures to protect the U.S. civilian population against CBRN and naturally occurring threats to public health.

Contracts to Develop Field Tests for Radiation Exposures

The nine contracts worth up to $400 million have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and can lead to prototype devices for responders.

USFA Releases 'Fire in the United States' Report

United States Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran recently announced the availability of the fifteenth edition of Fire in the United States. This edition covers the 5-year period from 2003 to 2007, with a primary focus on 2007.

Demonstration Network Planned for New Public Safety Spectrum

NIST and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration expect to have it ready by mid-2010.

California Dairy Gives County a Gas Detection System, Settling Case

As part of a settlement, an alleged violator may voluntarily agree to undertake an environmentally beneficial project related to the violation in exchange for mitigation of the penalty to be paid. This company chose to donate a RAE Systems gas monitoring system and 42 radiation pagers.

condo fire

Chicago High-Rise Also Hit By Fatal Fire in 2002

This week's fire started in a unit on the 36th floor of the 51-story building. The 2002 fire on the 14th floor killed one person and caused criticism of the city for not requiring sprinklers in older residential towers.

Sunoco Refinery Fined $32,000 for Process Hazards

OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office initiated the investigation following an ethylene complex explosion in May 2009 at the company's refinery in Marcus Hook, Pa.

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