Emergency Response


Fire Deaths Rose in NYC Last Year

There were 73 civilian fire deaths in New York City during 2017, which is 25 more than in 2016, when the city recorded the fewest on record. The three leading causes of fatal fires in 2017 were open flames (19), electrical (15), and smoking (11), and in 53 percent of the city's fatal fires in 2017, no working smoke alarm was present.

Maryland's CHART Program Aids Millionth Motorist

According to MDOT, CHART assists a motorist every 15 minutes, 24/7, saving drivers $1.5 billion in the cost of delays and 43.6 million hours of delays.

FirstNet Outlines 2018 Milestones

"America's first responders now have a nationwide interoperable network they can rely on 24/7/365 – like their mission," said First Responder Network Authority CEO Mike Poth. "I applaud these governors for their decision and congratulate public safety for its advocacy and partnership throughout the process."

Subterranean Challenge Proposers Day Set for Jan. 18

Teams are invited to propose novel methods for tackling time-critical scenarios through unknown courses in mapping subsurface networks and unpredictable conditions that are too hazardous for human first responders.

North Carolina DOT Hosting Drone Workshop Jan. 24

The Jan. 24 workshop in Gaston County will focus on the use of drones by public safety agencies such as police and fire departments, and it is open only to those in the public safety sector.

Caught By Surprise in 2017

Winning the 2017 Folio Ozzie award for the best B-to-B digital issue in October was a big surprise and a delight for me, our staff, and our company.

A Year of Disasters, Delays, and Debate

It's easy to identify the biggest safety stories of 2017—they involve the year's repeated disasters.

Chevron Makes Second $500,000 Donation to CA Wildfire Relief

$500,000 from the Chevron Global Community Fund is going to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts for the wildfires in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties.



USCG Northeast Ice Breaking Season Begins

Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (RENEW) is its region-wide effort to ensure Northeast communities have the security, supplies, energy, and emergency resources they need all winter.

At Least Three Fatalities Reported After Amtrak Derailment in Washington State

An Amtrak train has derailed and fallen off an overpass over Interstate 5 near Dupont, Wash.

ANSI Seeks Participants for Drone Panels

Subject-matter experts interested in participating in one or more of the four UASSC working groups are invited to review the working group architecture and return the sign-up sheet before Dec. 31, 2017.

Most Emergency Response Plans read well on paper but have gaps that typically come to light only when a plant-wide drill is conducted to test the plan.

The Value of Realistically Testing Your ERP

Warning! This is a test. This is a test of the Emergency Response Plan.

Real Time Crime Center Opens in New Orleans

PHOTO: CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

Real-Time Crime Center Opens in New Orleans

The center, which cost more than $5 million, is part of a citywide public safety plan.

National Traffic Incident Response Week: 3 Tips to Do Your Part

National Traffic Incident Response Week: Three Tips to Do Your Part

The Federal Highway Administration has declared Nov. 13-19 as National Traffic Incident Response Week to remind drivers to "slow down and move over."

NJ Governor Appoints Acting Health Commissioner

Christopher Rinn had been assistant commissioner. He replaces Cathleen D. Bennett, who became president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association on Nov. 9.

Coast Guard Commissions Hawaii's First Fast Response Cutter

USCG will be acquiring 58 FRCs to conduct missions that include search and rescue; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways, and coastal security; and national defense.

Recommendations from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board following the Deepwater Horizon blowout and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 are still open. (U.S. Chemical Safety Board photo)

CSB Meeting Nov. 14 on Two Macondo Blowout Recommendations

The board is scheduled to discuss changing the status of two recommendations to the Department of Interior in its 2016 final report on the Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill, as well as the status of current investigations.

20 Nonprofits Get MIOSHA Grants

"We're pleased to award these grants to employer groups, labor organizations, and other non-profits that have demonstrated innovation and diversity in their training programs," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said. "We appreciate the collaborative effort of these grantees and their mutual commitment toward preventing workplace injuries and illnesses."

The bottom line is health care facilities must develop a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan that will meet the needs of patients, the community, and their staff during disasters and emergency situations.

CMS Emergency Preparedness Training Deadline is Here, Are you Ready?

The assumption is that all the accrediting organizations and CMS will be looking more deeply at Emergency Management standards starting this November.

FEMA Expresses Concern About Puerto Rico Power Restoration Contract

"Based on initial review and information from PREPA, FEMA has significant concerns with how PREPA procured this contract and has not confirmed whether the contract prices are reasonable. FEMA is presently engaged with PREPA and its legal counsel to obtain information about the contract and contracting process, including how the contract was procured and how PREPA determined the contract prices were reasonable," FEMA said in a statement Oct. 27.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence