Disaster Preparedness


Cincinnati's Drug and Poison Information Center Lists Holiday Hazards

The holiday season is usually a time of joy but it also brings the potential for poisonings, according to the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), a service of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

NIOSH mine stoppings explosion test report

NIOSH/MSHA Tests Identify Strongest Ventilation Stoppings

In explosive blast tests at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory Lake Lyon Experimental Mine, an 8-inch-thick wet-laid solid concrete-block stopping coated on one side withstood the strongest pressure, according to this report.

Kansas Reported Winner of Federal Animal Disease Lab

At least two of the four states that are not being recommended by DHS may challenge the decision, the Associated Press reports.

rescue robot obstacle course

Responders, Developers Put Rescue Robots to the Test

About 35 robots performed at a Texas facility as developers worked on creating a standard suite of performance tests to help evaluate mechanical rescuers. The tests, shown in this Texas Engineering Extension Service photo, were sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.

Key Differences in Sprinkler Systems

This article is an attempt to briefly cover the most common differences between types of sprinkler systems. Most sprinkler systems fall within one of four categories.

An image of a cooked turkey being taken out of the oven.

NFPA Offers Thanksgiving Day Cooking Safety Tips

In 2006, Thanksgiving Day topped the charts once again as the peak day for home cooking fires. According to National Fire Protection Association, there were 1,400 home structure fires involving cooking equipment that year, which is more than three times the daily average.

MSHA Forms Safety Alliance with Portland Cement Association

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration recently announced the formation of a health and safety alliance with the Portland Cement Association (PCA), a membership association consisting of 30 companies operating 115 plants in 36 states.

A banner image of Public Health Thank You Day.

Thanks-Giving Day Arrives for Public Health Officials

Today is Public Health Thank You Day, a day to thank friends and colleagues working in public health for all they do.



Texas Governor Forms Disaster Recovery Commission

His announcement suggests an ongoing role for the 31-member panel, but there is a politically symbolic purpose, too: Gov. Rick Perry continues to complain his state hasn't received sufficient help from FEMA and Washington, D.C., after this year's hurricanes.

USFA Seeks Safer 'Home Fire Season'

"Home fire season" has started, and the U.S. Fire Administration is working to make this year's cold months safer than last years--when there was a dramatic increase in home fire deaths. According to USFA, during the "home fire season" of Oct. 2007 to March 2008, there was a 68 percent increase in the number of fatal home fires and a 67 percent increase in the number of people killed in home fires, compared to the warmer months.

Report Focuses on Nuclear Plant Accident Response

The data will help the NRC review its regulations and guidance related to emergency preparedness and determine if changes need to be considered to existing protective action strategies.

Survey Finds High Rate of PPE Non-Compliance

According to a new survey released today by Kimberly-Clark Professional, 89 percent of safety professionals polled at the 2008 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress have observed workers failing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when they should have been.

Massachusetts Libraries to Serve as Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA worked out a pilot project with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and two library organizations, choosing southeastern Massachusetts for its vulnerability to major storms.

Image of a medical helicopter.

NTSB to Hold Three-Day Public Hearing on Helicopter EMS Operations

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public hearing on the safety of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services operations. The three-day hearing will begin on February 3, 2009.

USGS Unveils Online Resource for Great ShakeOut

This site is in support of the Great ShakeOut, an earthquake preparedness activity in Southern California that will include the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, on Nov. 13.

ISO Secretary-General Robert Steele

ISO's Road Safety Standard Moving Forward

Also, the International Organization for Standardization, which is the world's largest developer of consensus standards, will have a new secretary-general beginning Jan. 1: New Zealand accountant Robert Steele, shown here.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

FEMA Readying $3 Billion in FY2009 Preparedness Grants

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, shown here, says the grants program has matured, moving "from capability building to performance-based planning and investment."

TSA Reaches Agreement with European Union on Cargo Screening

"By synchronizing the way that air cargo is secured on both sides of the Atlantic, we're taking another potential vulnerability off the table for terrorists," said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff.

NIOSH Announces NORA Competition Winners

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently announced the winners of the Fiscal Year 2009 Intramural National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) competition. Demonstrating a high level of scientific merit and a focus on translating research into practice, awards were given to 17 projects in diverse areas covering some of the many priority needs in each of the NORA sectors.

USFA Seeks Students, Instructors for Fire Protection Planning Course

The U.S. Fire Administration is recruiting students and instructor candidates to attend an on-campus pilot class for its new six-day off-campus or state enfranchised course Water-Based Fire Protection System Plan Review.

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