Emergency Response


USFA's National Fire Academy Releases Two Online Self-Study Courses

The U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy announced yesterday that two new self-study courses are available through NFA Online.

CSB's Report on Danvers Blast Coming May 13

The 2006 incident caused heavy damage and friction between CSB (source of this photo) and the state fire marshal. It may prompt new state rules for facilities that process chemicals.

U.S., Mexico to Stage Disaster Today in Arizona

"These emergency response exercises are a great opportunity to test our joint systems and to practice with our partners on both sides of the border, in advance of an incident," said the EPA's Daniel A. Meer.

False Alarms Improved in 2006, Total Fire Calls Topped 24 Million

A new NFPA report shows confirmed fire calls continue to decline nationwide as medical calls to fire departments increase, with the latter topping 15 million in 2006 for the first time.

Appeals Court Dismisses 9/11 Suit against Former EPA Chief

Former Administrator Christie Todd Whitman did not engage "in conduct that 'shocks the conscience' in the sense necessary to create constitutional liability for damages to thousands of people under the substantive component of the Due Process Clause," the Second Circuit ruled.

USFA Releases Report on I-35W Bridge Collapse

The U.S.Fire Administration's report examines the area's emergency preparedness and response to the Aug. 1, 2007, bridge collapse in Minneapolis that killed 13 people and injured 121 others.

UK Resuscitation Council Updates Guideline on Anaphylactic Aid

The council has not recommended auto-injectors for use by health care personnel, at whom the guideline is directed.

State Farm Advocates Earthquake Readiness

The April 18 quake in southern Illinois is a reminder that Midwestern residents and businesses face the risk, the company said.



Defibtech AED Accepted by Pope Benedict XVI

The gift, presented before the pope's current American trip, illustrates churches' role in public access defibrillator programs.

Illinois Task Force Recommends $25 Million Campus Security Program

The program would make available funding for campus security response and violence prevention training programs, projects to enhance emergency communications and planning, and execution of campus-wide training exercises.

CSB Calls for New National Fire Code for HazWaste Facilities

In its final report on the 2006 hazardous waste fire and evacuation in Apex, N.C., the CSB says firefighters initially responded to a 911 emergency call from a resident driving past the facility, who reported observing a haze with a "strong chlorine smell."

Structured Health/Fitness Program, Safe Operations Critical to Firefighters’ Survival

The report, "Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service," cites PPE and safety measures as shortcomings that must be overcome to reduce deaths among volunteer firefighters.

USFA Report: Three-Quarters of Civilian Fire Injuries Occur in Home

The Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration has issued a report, part of its Topical Fire Report Series, examining the causes and characteristics of civilian fire injuries occurring in residential buildings. The report, Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings in 2005, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of USFA and is based on 2005 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

Four Public Meetings Set on Hazmat Railcar Changes

The DOT agencies proposing the rule say the May 14 meeting will focus on chlorine transport and the May 15 meeting on anhydrous ammonia.

New Cargill Refinery Lengthens Odds Against Imperial's Recovery

The company's management wants to rebuild after the devastating Feb. 7 explosion that has killed 13, but a tough competitor breaks ground tomorrow.

$34 Billion Annual Cost Laid to Crashes Involving Drivers 15-17

AAA says its new analysis should spur more state action on graduated driver licensing programs.

House Labor Committee Passes Combustible Dust Bill

The voice vote is a step toward forcing OSHA to issue a standard addressing them, which the agency's chief has stated he does not want to do.

UP-Dow Chemical Safety Train Ready to Roll

A classroom and training center on rails will travel to 10 communities along the Mississippi River corridor in the next month to provide training to emergency responders.

Hurricane Hunter Tour of Gulf Coast Starts April 14

NOAA's hurricane experts will visit five cities in their WP-3 Orion turboprop to raise awareness about hurricanes.

Does Raising the Terrorism Alert Level Cause Undue Stress?

Not according to a new study entitled "Impact of Homeland Security Alert Level on Calls to a Law Enforcement Peer Support Hotline." The jury's still out on the civilian population.

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