NICE Systems has announced that its NICE Situator, the company's global market-leading situation management solution, will be used at Denver International Airport (DIA) to enhance security and safety. Situator will form the backbone of DIA's Integrated Airport Management System, enabling the airport to more effectively and efficiently respond to, mitigate, resolve, and recover from security incidents, emergencies, and other events.
The nation's annual food safety report card shows that 2012 rates of infections from two germs spread commonly through food have increased significantly when compared to a baseline period of 2006-2008, while rates of most others did not change during the same period. The data are included in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) report just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has selected Salient Federal Solutions to provide improved database performance for the Federal Investigative Services (FIS) process to achieve successful background investigations.
"I am proud to nominate such impressive men and women to these important roles, and I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," President Barack Obama.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. recently announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the Healthcare Protective Products Division (HPPD) of Bracco Diagnostics Inc. The acquisition will diversify and expand Emergent's biodefense franchise by adding product sales from HPPD's marketed chemical countermeasure and Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that occupational exposures to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers be controlled to reduce potential risk to employees from certain work-related lung effects. NIOSH is the first federal agency to issue recommended exposure levels for this growing industry.
The International Maritime Bureau has reported that, as of 15 April 2013, there have been 76 attacks and four hijackings on the world's oceans and other waterways since the start of the year. Three maritime experts share their collective knowledge of piracy attacks in today's world and offer some helpful recommendations for assessing and mitigating such threats.
Trying to predict risks is a risk in itself. It is, of course, difficult to quantify numerically the overarching risk involving a particular asset. However, the more complex the assessment model used, the less likely it is that most people will understand it and the greater effort that must be made to explain and use the results.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the creation of the Secretary's Honors Program (SHP) Cyber Student Initiative - a new DHS program to engage exceptional community college students, including student veterans, in cybersecurity work at DHS.
The new camera, the Spynel-S, features a new look and a longer detection range, displaying panoramic thermal images with an impressive resolution up to 30 Mpix. Associated with Cyclope advanced motion detection software, it provides unprecedented real-time security against conventional and asymmetrical threats, in the whole surroundings, up to the horizon.
I am pleased by the work of the bi-partisan group of United States Senators to reform and modernize our nation's immigration laws. The introduction of this legislation is an important step that reflects significant momentum toward building the 21st century immigration system that our nation needs."
Morphix Technologies, an innovator in the science of colorimetric detection devices for dangerous chemical gases, has developed a nitrogen dioxide sensor cassette for the Chameleon Detection Kit. The nitrogen dioxide sensor detects small amounts of this noxious and toxic chemical before it can cause illness or fatality.
In a fast-paced world, it makes sense to increase the speed of transportation. However, as plans are being created, there is much more to consider than simply the costs, design, and location of new high-speed rail projects. For one thing, this new mode of transportation will also draw significant attention from those who wish to harm American citizens and U.S. interests in general.
Decision makers, managers, and responders who focus on special needs populations require additional planning to ensure the safe evacuation and well-being, following a major disaster, of those entrusted to their care. Among those populations, there are three distinct groups - those with transportation; those without transportation; and those who cannot or do not want to evacuate.
Since 9/11 and Katrina, significant federal funding has been invested in planning for similar incidents and events that may (or may not) happen in the future. Meanwhile, state and local planners must focus their efforts on the incidents most likely to occur within their own jurisdictions. This approach seems eminently reasonable, but raises new questions about the level of catastrophic planning needed and the ability to cope with sudden disasters of any type.
"Our budget increases are targeted to strategic areas that will benefit patients and consumers and overall strengthen our economy. Through the good work of the FDA, Americans will receive life-saving medicines approved as fast as or faster than anywhere in the world, confidence in the medical products they rely on daily, and a food supply that is among the safest in the world," said Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration.
The U.S. Center for Domestic Preparedness' new Facebook site offers a unique venue where first responders can learn about fully funded training opportunities, read reviews and appraisals written by former students, and interface with their counterparts across the nation.
FilmArray's proprietary technology represents a significant advance in user-friendliness and multiplex infectious-disease testing capabilities for hospital clinical labs. This is the first U.S. patent issued to cover the FilmArray system, and BioFire has exclusive rights to the patented technology.
"EPA's FY 2014 budget reflects our firm commitment to keeping American communities across our country healthy and clean, while also taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation and the declining resources of state, local, and tribal programs," said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Robert Perciasepe.
Established in 1920 as the "National Advisory Board on Highway Research," the Transportation Research Board (TRB) facilitates information sharing and broadly disseminates valuable transportation research. Understanding where to find the data needed to make policy and procedural decisions is the first step in managing all-hazards incidents.
The detonation of a weapon of mass destruction within a U.S. seaport is one of the most frightening scenarios facing the nations security and intelligence professionals. Although complying with a 100-percent screening mandate would be very costly, "randomly" selecting a few containers to search may be a huge gamble. The probability of such attacks is low, but the damage caused would be devastating.
MSA announces an industry-first SO2/H2S-LC XCell Sensor for ALTAIR 4X Multigas Detectors - considered to be ideal for monitoring sulfur dioxide, and enclosed in a compact personal gas monitor.
Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to inspect border security operations at the Southwest border, to meet with state and local stakeholders, and to highlight the significant progress achieved at disrupting illegal drug trafficking and improving operations along the Southwest border.
GammaTech Computer Corp. announces that its semi-rugged tablet PC, Durabook model CA10, is now available for purchase. This ultra-mobile tablet comes with a feature package that is perfectly suited for those whose jobs take them away from a normal office setting.
"This is an important step in our work with the academic community to help campuses prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate crisis and emergency situations," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing a medical instrument that will be able to quickly detect a suite of biothreat agents, including anthrax, ricin, botulinum, shiga and SEB toxin. The device, once developed, then approved by the Food and Drug Administration and commercialized, would most likely be used in emergency rooms in the event of a bioterrorism incident.
The relatively new world of social media has the ability to enhance communication efforts for emergency managers, but it also has the potential to harm the reputation of public agencies. To minimize the negative effects, clear guidelines - reinforced with proper training - should be outlined in advance for all members of an agency.
The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) College of Justice and Safety is offering an online fire program that will provide participants with the leadership and management skills that go beyond the fire industry and are applicable directly to their current roles.
Protecting the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff can be a major challenge for healthcare facilities. Many variables must be considered when assessing security needs and determining the type of enforcement that should be used to resolve violent situations.
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) is going to partner with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International going forward on technical standards issues related to public safety broadband communications.
The Angelo State University (ASU) Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice is offering an online Master of Science in Border Security degree addressing the growing needs of homeland security and law enforcement personnel who face an ever-changing world of transnational crime, terrorism, and other threats.
Action Training Systems (ATS) has earned organizational accreditation from the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), which is the national accrediting body for EMS continuing education courses and course providers. With few exceptions, CECBEMS's stamp of approval is recognized in most states for licensure recertification of first responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.
