The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (S. 1379). This important legislation maintains the commitment of the federal government to local public health preparedness.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, established a network of eight accelerators in 2018 through an initiative called DRIVe, the BARDA Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures. BARDA DRIVe now seeks to expand that network into other parts of the country.
Eight hurricanes and seven other named storms formed in the Atlantic Ocean last year, raining destruction on some southeastern communities and threatening many more. This year’s hurricane season begins 1 June 2019, and runs through November. If communities are not prepared for the next round of tropical storms, now is the time to get ready.
The National Council on Disability examined available data from several major storms and disasters and found that people with disabilities are frequently institutionalized during and after disasters due to: conflicting federal guidance; a lack of equal access to emergency and disaster-related programs and services; and a lack of compliance with federal law.
In communities across the country, people rely on emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to make quick, life-saving decisions. This post offers a crash course on chemical decontamination of EMS personnel and their patients, in the event of a chemical emergency.
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate collaborated with TDA Research Inc. and Avon Protection Systems on a low-maintenance filtration system that drastically improves a first responders’ ability to get the overhaul process complete without exposing themselves to harmful chemicals.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel respond to emergencies every day and serve on the front lines of the medical response to disasters, terrorist attacks, and mass casualty incidents. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is dedicated to supporting EMS personnel in enhancing and protecting the health and well-being of all Americans.
The application period for the National Fire Academy's resident classes scheduled during the first semester of fiscal year 2020 (1 October 2019–31 March 2020) will close on 15 June 2019.
When firefighters rush into burning buildings, they know the thermal environment may change in a matter of seconds, exposing them to potentially lethal temperatures. Burn Saver is a body-worn technology that continuously monitors thermal conditions and warns firefighters when those conditions become threatening.
Scientists funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases report that the influenza virus protein has an unexpected Achilles heel. The team discovered and characterized the structure of a naturally occurring human antibody that recognizes and disrupts a portion of the hemagglutinin protein that the virus uses to enter and infect cells. Vaccines designed to elicit antibodies against this target might provide long-lasting protection against any influenza strain.
