Emergency Response


New Illinois Law Protects Prescribers When Responders Use EpiPens

The bill amends the State Police, Illinois Police Training and Medical Practices acts and took effect immediately. It includes in the protected class physicians, physician's assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority who provide a prescription or standing order for epinephrine for an Illinois police department.

There are a few gloves on the market today that meet or exceed NIOSH recommendations for safety, allowing no permeation of either fentanyl or gastric acid for greater than 240 minutes. (Ansell photo)

Fentanyl Risks Put Focus on Hand Protection in Many Environments

Those most likely to be exposed, such as police and fire personnel, EMTs, ER staff, and forensic lab personnel, should be transitioning to gloves that provide comprehensive protection against fentanyl.

Coast Guard Enforcing New Towing Regs in Alaska

The new regulations bolster the existing requirements for fire-fighting and life-saving equipment, establish standards for construction and arrangement of newly constructed vessels, and phase in machinery and electrical standards during the next decade.

NFPA Updates Energy Storage and Solar Training

Because of strong commercial and consumer interest, as well as government incentives, first responders are more likely to encounter emergency calls involving energy storage sytems or photovoltaics.

DARPA Launches Program to Develop Tiny Robots for Natural Disasters

The SHort-Range Independent Microrobotic Platforms program, or SHRIMP, aims to develop and demonstrate multi-functional micro-to-milli robotic platforms for use in natural and critical disaster scenarios.

27,000 Avalanche Transceivers Recalled

The Ortovox avalanche transceivers have been recalled because they can fail to work properly due to a software error and fail to transmit the position of survivors of an avalanche, resulting in delayed search and rescue operations.

USCG Researching LED Devices to Replace Distress Flares

The Coast Guard's Research Development, Test and Evaluation Program has been researching the suitability of light emitting diode (LED) devices as effective distress signals.

The data NIOSH researchers developed show that firefighters in turnout gear do not fit well in today

Updating the NORA Public Safety Agenda

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic diseases are the first recommendation because stress is such a big factor affecting public safety workers' health.



The CSB

Pre-Incident Planning for Hazmat Emergencies

One of the CSB's recommendations to FEMA following the explosion in West, Texas, was to fund training for fire departments on pre-incident planning for fires at facilities storing fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate.

Nominations Being Accepted for 2018 Governor's Lifesaving Awards in Washington State

To be eligible, the life-saving incidents must have occurred during work hours and must have taken place between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018. The deadline for nominations is June 30.

Federal Grants Aid NY State's Accredited Bomb Squads

"It takes a great deal of training and resources to have an operational bomb squad ready to answer the call of duty. This funding will help provide the state's certified bomb squads with the tools they need to help properly detect, identify, and safely dispose of explosive devices," State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger Parrino, Sr. said.

Employers Must Create Workplace Violence Action Plans

A June 4 afternoon session at Safety 2018, "The Fatal Flaws in Your Active Shooter Protocol," addressed how employers and employees should prepare for active shooters from a workplace violence perspective.

Assault Injuries Rising for Law Enforcement Officers, NIOSH Reports

From 2003 to 2014, approximately 669,100 law enforcement officers were treated in emergency departments nationwide for nonfatal injuries. The leading cause of work-related injury in this group of workers was assault and other violent acts, which accounted for 35 percent of injuries treated in emergency departments.

ACS Highlights New Studies on WTC Cancers

One study indicated there may be a link between WTC firefighters and a disease that can be a precursor for multiple myeloma. The second study estimated more WTC firefighters will develop certain types of cancer than would be expected if they had not been exposed to Ground Zero.

Canada Testing Public Safety Alert Network Next Week

During the May 7 and May 9 tests, every compatible mobile device connected to an LTE (long-term evolution) network in the targeted provinces and territory will receive the test alert. They also will be distributed on TV and radio in the same regions.

With removable, interchangeable, and adjustable components that allow for a variety of scenario-based trainings, the center offers numerous courses related to technical rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency response.

Hands-on, Scenario-based Training for Emergency Responders and Rescuers

The key to mitigating human error during a real emergency is the right kind of realistic training.

Every employee who may witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who is responsible for alerting others or evacuating must complete first responder HAZWOPER awareness training. (Ben Carlson/Shutterstock.com)

Everyone is an Emergency Responder

If employees take the wrong response actions, don’t know what to do, or try to perform jobs they are not capable of, the resulting mistakes, confusion, and disarray will stand in the way of a safe response.

Lead in Drinking Water: Should You be Worried?

Lead in Drinking Water: Should You be Worried?

In 2015, the news about the high lead levels in Flint, Michigan’s drinking water caused the nation to focus its attention on lead.

NIOSH Publishes Updated NORA Public Safety Agenda

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic diseases are the first recommendation because stress is such a big factor affecting public safety workers' health, it says. Sudden cardiac events are responsible for 7 to 22 percent of on-duty deaths among police officers, 17 percent among wildland firefighters, and 11 percent among EMS workers, it says.

Colorado Agencies Open TIM Training Center

While dedicating the facility to all of Colorado's first responders, memorial plaques were presented to the families of CSP Troopers Jaimie Jursevics and Cody Donahue to honor their service and sacrifice on behalf of the residents of Colorado. Both were hit and killed by vehicles during traffic stops on I-25 in Douglas County.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence