Disaster Preparedness


$34 Million Available in Emergency Operations Center Grants

The program requires a federal match of 75 percent and a 25 percent grantee cost-share cash or in-kind match.

Fire Safety for Maintenance Operations

Smoke was billowing from the third-floor fire escape stairway of a hospital at 5 p.m. on a Friday. It is a scene I will always remember: Someone pulled a fire alarm, and soon the professional firefighters were dragging hoses as employees responded with hand-held fire extinguishers. Patients were moved to other floors, quickly and expertly. Years of training had come together in a fast facility response.

February Workshop to Examine Evacuation of Disabled

The Feb. 3-4 workshop at Washington, D.C.'s Gallaudet University will examine current and needed standards to enhance emergency preparedness for the disabled population.

MSHA's Final Rule Still Allows Belt Air

The agency implements the recommendations of a technical panel that did not urge ending the practice of ventilating sections of underground coal mines via the entries through which conveyors move coal to the surface, although UMWA wanted the practice banned. MSHA also published a final rule today allowing two types of underground coal mine refuges.

DHS Encourages Americans to Resolve to Be Ready in 2009

Being Ready for emergencies can be an easy new year's resolution to keep by following the Ready Campaign's three simple steps: 1) Get an emergency supply kit; 2) Make a family emergency plan; and 3) Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

FEMA, Code Council Sign Disaster Prevention Agreement

A memorandum of understanding calls for FEMA and the Code Council to support the maintenance, adoption, outreach, training and enforcement of disaster-resistant building safety codes to reduce human and economic losses resulting from natural hazards including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados and flooding.

Three-Month Extension Allows for Rail Security Training

The Transportation Security Administration extended the effective date of part of its Rail Transportation Security rule to April 1, 2009, to give freight railroads, shippers, and hazmat recipients time to prepare.

'Death Map' Provides Useful Emergency Planning Tool

University of South Carolina geographers have produced a map of natural-hazard mortality in the United States that gives the likelihood of dying as the result of natural events such as floods, earthquakes, or extreme weather



MSHA Lists Communication Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines

Fully wireless communications technology won't be ready or technologically feasible by June 15, 2009, when the MINER Act requires operators of those mines to have submitted a plan to use it, so MSHA's letter explains what will work.

Damage Prevention Council in Ohio Renews Pact with OSHA

The alliance will place special emphasis on emergency preparedness and response activities related to restoring utility services quickly and safely following a major disaster.

crew using an oil skimmer

New Standard Makes Oil Skimmer Capacities Apparent

Subcommittee F20.11 on Control, part of ASTM International Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response, recently developed F2709, Test Method for Determining Nameplate Recovery Rate of Stationary Oil Skimmer Systems.

residential fire sprinkler

ICC Board Denies Home Fire Sprinkler Appeal

The International Code Council's full board of directors, meeting in Las Vegas today, denied the appeal from the National Association of Home Builders. The board confirmed the ICC Appeals Board's unanimous Dec. 11 rejection of the appeal.

CDC's Emergency Preparedness Web Site Gets Redesign

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions' Emergency Communication System (ECS) has redesigned its entire Emergency Preparedness and Response Web site, www.emergency.CDC.gov.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

Don't Pull FEMA Out of DHS, Chertoff Says

Talk of shifting FEMA back to an independent agency is short-sighted, the outgoing chief of DHS said in a bloggers' roundtable Dec. 9. He said unified response to disasters could be harmed, and DHS' structure is more cohesive than the public perceives.

American Red Cross van

$30 Million Month for Red Cross Nears Halfway Point

The American Red Cross is trying to raise that much by Dec. 31 to cap a $100 million goal for the Red Cross Campaign for Disaster Relief. ARC has designated today as the "National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross" to reach the goal.

Basic Safety Steps for Health Care Workers During Flu Season

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is urging health care workers and their employers to follow three basic steps this flu season to help prevent influenza infections in the health care workforce.

UL Offers Winter Storm Tips

Winter storms can dump snow and sleet quickly and unexpectedly. Take the opportunity to prepare your home and family while the weather is sunny and bright.

FEMA, ICC Join Forces to Lessen Disasters' Impact

Enforcement of disaster-resistant building codes is part of the effort being launched by FEMA and the International Code Council, which earlier this year added home fire sprinklers to its model U.S. building code.

An image of someone filling wine glasses.

DOL Offers Tips for Office Celebrations

During the holiday season, employers and workers frequently get together to unwind and celebrate. Typically, workplace parties involve plenty of food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, there is potential for unfortunate consequences.

USFA, IAFF Release Voice Radio Communications Guide

The U.S. Fire Administration has completed a project with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to study what important areas of safety and technology discussed in the USFA manual Fire Department Communications Manual - A Basic Guide to System Concepts and Equipment (FA-160) needed to be updated or revised, as well as what topics and technology related to fire department communications not discussed in the manual needed to be added since its development in 1996.

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