Emergency Response


FEMA Hosts Hurricane Awareness Day, Notes Response Improvements

"Everyone is part of the emergency management process," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "We must continue to develop a culture of preparedness in America in which every American takes personal responsibility for his or her own emergency preparedness."

Coast Guard's Casualty Investigation Program Comes Under Fire

Findings of a report this month from the DHS Office of Inspector General on the USCG program were "clear and disturbing," said Congressman Elijah Cummins, chair of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

NFPA 2008 Revision Cycle: Changes Proposed to 15 Codes, Standards

The effected codes and standards will be presented at the World Safety Conference & Exposition in June. The new codes will carry a 2009 edition date, though they may be available by the end of 2008.

285,000 Cricket EZ Cell Phones Recalled Due to 911 Audio Issues

Cricket Communications of San Diego is recalling the phones because when a call is connected to 911, the operator may not hear the caller or vice versa.

USFA, DOT Complete Traffic Incident Management Systems Study

The U.S. Fire Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, working in partnership with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), have developed a report that provides technical guidance and training programs in traffic incident management for fire and emergency service providers.

CPSC Report Shows Increase in Pool, Spa Drownings

A new report from the CPSC staff says an average of 283 children younger than 5 drowned in pools and spas in 2003-05, up from an average of 267 in 2002-2004.

Minnesota's Governor Signs Flood Insurance Disclosure Bill

Annual written notices will inform homeowners if their policies don't include flood insurance and will say they have a right to purchase it.

Higher Risk of Bladder Cancer Identified for Retired Firefighters

Exposure to certain pollutants and chemicals is the cause examined in the UCSF study, which was presented yesterday at a urologists' meeting,



Peace Officers' Memorial Day Celebrated Nationwide

Part of Police Week, today's Peace Officers' Memorial Day honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Judge Allows Red Cross to Continue Licensing Symbol's Use

The familiar red cross, which has been part of the federally chartered American Red Cross since its origins with Clara Barton in 1881, may be licensed for commercial use by ARC, a federal judge ruled May 14.

Applicants Sought for Regional Incident Survey Teams

IAFC says the teams will serve a crucial element in the development of a National Hazardous Materials Fusion Center to analyze hamat response data.

Study: 'Safety-Net' Hospitals Hurt by Performance-Based Incentive Programs

The same government-backed incentive programs aimed at improving the care all Americans receive in hospitals may be widening the gap between poor, underserved patients and those who are insured or can afford to pay for their own care, according to a new study led by a University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine physician.

Tunnel Study Shows Promise for Better Emergency Communications

This NIST photo shows electronics engineer Dennis Camell aligning antennas in a California mine for a study identifying optimal frequencies for radio transmissions in tunnels.

Report: Nation's Firefighting Ranks Are 96 Percent Male

Fewer than 4 percent of the nation's firefighters are women, and more than half of paid fire departments have never hired a female firefighter, a new report states.

OSHA Seeks Insight on Stockpiling Respirators, Facemasks for Pandemic Flu

If you have already addressed stockpiling needs for your facility, OSHA invites you to please provide your underlying assumptions and methodology.

MSHA to Propose Drug & Alcohol Rule Next Month

This proposed rule, for which the agency took comments in 2005, is one of two important ones expected to be proposed in June.

Happy Occupational Safety & Health Professional Day

"We take time this May 7th to say thanks to those men and women, who every day work to make your workplace safer and healthier," said ASSE President Michael Thompson.

Genetic Nondiscrimination Bill Headed to Bush's Desk

The U.S. House of Representatives also passed, 247-165, a bill to force OSHA to issue a combustible dust standard.

Virginia Tech Seeks Director of Emergency Management

Review of applications for the position, which heads the new Office of Emergency Management, will begin May 21.

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