Emergency Response


FEMA Releases All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning Guide

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has recently released its Comprehensive Preparedness Guide, CPG 101, which provides general guidelines on developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and promotes a common understanding of the fundamentals of planning and decision making to help emergency planners examine a hazard and produce integrated, coordinated, and synchronized plans. The guide is intended to help emergency managers in state, territorial, local, and tribal governments in their efforts to develop and maintain a viable all-hazard EOP.

Invista Agrees to Largest-Ever EPA Audit Policy Settlement

The company disclosed more than 680 violations of water, air, hazardous waste, emergency planning and preparedness, and pesticide regulations to EPA after auditing 12 facilities it acquired from DuPont in 2004.

Clock Starts Tomorrow for FY09 FIRE Act Grant Applicants

The application period is April 15 to May 20 for $510 million being awarded in this program, which is more vital now than ever for fire and EMS departments as local budgets shrink.

Chemical Manufacturer Hit with Penalties after Forcing Residential Evacuation

The company has been fined $121,500 for violations associated with process safety management, hazardous waste operations, and emergency response, including the company's failure to identify all of the causal factors of the incident during the investigation. The chemical release resulted in the evacuation of residents living within a three-mile radius of the facility.

Port Wentworth Rebuild on Track, Imperial Sugar CEO Says

The company's CEO, John Sheptor, issued another update today saying production of granulated bulk sugar at the mill should begin in late May.

Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltds Sharpsmart system

Hearing Assist, Health-Promoting Chair Among Design Finalists

Not among the 73 finalists was Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd's Sharpsmart system, the entry shown here, which is designed to reduce the risk of sharps injuries and minimize impact on the environment.

An AED sign.

AEDs Among Devices Subject to New FDA Review

Automated external defibrillators are among 25 medical devices for which FDA is telling all manufacturers to submit safety and effectiveness information so the agency can evaluate their risk levels.



EPA to Participate in Ethanol Emergency Response Training

The training covers the characteristics of ethanol tank cars, so that responders can quickly identify this equipment. Responders also are given information to help them interpret railway manifests.

OSHA Clarifies HAZWOPER Training Rule: Video Alone Does Not Cut It

Employers cannot rely on online or video training tools as the sole source of training because physical manipulation of actual components of PPE (as opposed to virtual components of PPE) must be part of the program, the agency notes.

MADD CEO Chosen for Top NHTSA Post

President Obama announced he will nominate Charles A. Hurley, the chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Hurley previously worked for both the National Safety Council and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Safety on a Budget

Layoffs have hit safety and health professionals like everyone else. For those fortunate enough to still be employed, the economic crisis has quickly translated into a budget crisis. But how does one keep costs down and convince the boss it's worth every penny to continue to attend conferences?

USFA Releases Outdoor Fires Topical Report

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report examining the causes and characteristics of outdoor fires. The report, titled "Outdoor Fires," was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of USFA.

$500,000 Ready for Illinois Fire Departments' Clothing, Equipment

The state fire marshal announced the grant money on April 1. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30.

DC, Maryland Partner for Cross-Border Public Safety

The city's mayor and Maryland Gov. O'Malley announced there will be regular joint meetings and have committed to revise laws that hamper extradition of violent offenders who commit crimes in the district but live in Maryland.

ZOLL Conducting 'Corrective Action' on 180,000 AEDs

One reported battery failure in the AED Plus® took place in a rescue where the victim died. The company's review of all reported patient events found up to three additional cases of possible failure, including one fatality.

AIHA Backs Combustible Dust Bill

The American Industrial Hygiene Association's president, Lindsay Booher, wrote a letter April 2 to the chairman of the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee expressing support for HR 849.

Practice Makes Perfect

In the midst of changes taking place throughout the health care industry, many OHNs are rightly feeling they are in a whole new profession, which helps explain why organizers of this year's annual AAOHN conference have for months now been plugging the event with the tagline "It's a Whole New Symposium."

Justice Department Settles Discrimination Lawsuit against City of Portsmouth

The Department of Justice announced recently that it has entered into a consent decree with the City of Portsmouth, Va., that, if approved by the court, will resolve the department's complaint that the City of Portsmouth engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against black Americans in its hiring of entry-level firefighters, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).

Hurricanes, Safety Culture, Kidnapping: Ready for RIMS 2009?

Online registration closed March 23, and admission to the April 20-22 expo is fairly expensive. But this event at the Orange County Convention Center, shown here, is a must for risk managers and insurers.

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