Topics in this issue include FEMA training for first responders, biosurveillance technologies, China’s nuclear tests, and social media with EMS.
In This Article
Air Force Global Strike Command Commander Visits USSTRATCOM
U.S. Air Force Gen. Robin Rand, who became the Air Force Global Strike Command commander in July, leads the command that is responsible for organizing, training and equipping all U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile and bomber forces to provide combat-ready assets in support of USSTRATCOM’s strategic deterrence and global strike responsibilities. USSTRATCOM >>
Battelle to Develop FEMA Training for CBRNE Emergency Response
FEMA has announced intentions to award a one-year contract to Battelle Memorial Institute in support of National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) staff training for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) response capabilities. Global Biodefense >>
What If It Happened Again? What We Need To Do to Prepare for a Nuclear Event
As we observe the 70th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it may seem like the threat from nuclear weapons has receded. But it hasn’t; the threat is actually increasing steadily. This is difficult to face for many people, and this denial also means that we are not very well-prepared for nuclear and radiological events. HSNW >>
After Iran Nuke Deal, Russia to Deliver S-300 Missile Systems
Thanks in part to the Iran nuclear deal, Russia now plans to deliver as many as four S-300 missile systems to the country, according to a news report. “As things stand now, this topic is closed. We have reached full understanding on the matter together with our Iranian partners. The question has been fundamentally solved. The rest is just technical details,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. Defense Tech >>
One Week After the Tianjin Blasts: What We Know
The core explosion site was a warehouse designated for the arrival of goods. Ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium cyanide, p-Phenylenediamine and dimethylaniline were stored there. Next door was a loaded container area with eight other chemicals, including calcium carbide, which can create highly explosive acetylene gas when combined with water. Sinosphere >>
Newly Launched Institute at USC Price Takes a Holistic Approach to Public Safety
The new Safe Communities Institute will bring together leaders in public safety for a multidisciplinary training and educational program. SCI will involve professionals from the fire department, highway patrol, homeland security, public health, corrections, probation, transit, mental health, school police and other organizations to create a comprehensive approach to public safety. USC News >>
45 Years on Alert: Minot Conducts Minuteman III Test Launch
“Launching an ICBM under operational conditions is a whole team effort, and that’s what we bring out here to replicate the scenarios in the field as close as possible,” said Lt. Col. Eric Thompson, the 91st MW Task Force commander. “The operations and maintenance crews who come out here with us know the job they’re doing back home is important, and actually coming out here to launch an unarmed missile really solidifies the job we do every day with nuclear deterrence.” U.S. Air Force >>
Pentagon Taps General Dynamics to Test Fireball Bunker Bomb
The US Air Force could soon have a new air-delivered tool in its arsenal for destroying chemical and biological weapons – a Hammer, fittingly, or Heated And Mobile Munitions Employing Rockets. Flight Global >>
Navy Places 4M Order for iRobot
Massachusetts-based advanced technology company iRobot has landed a $4 million order from the U.S. Navy for its model 110 FirstLook robots and accessories. The company, which made the announcement Wednesday, will finalize all of the deliveries by February 2016.Product Design & Development >>
Biosurveillance Technology Gets Up Close and Personal
With the flood of innovative, commercially-available wearable technologies touching virtually every part of our modern lives, can advanced wearable sensors that protect the Warfighter from chemical and biological (CB) agents be far behind? Edgewood Chemical Biological Center >>
NFSTC Teams Up with CBRNE Tech Index
The National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) will partner with MRIGlobal to provide forensic expertise to the CBRNE Tech Index database and technology evaluation tool. The goal is to increase access to accurate information about detection technologies, allowing forensic agencies and investigators a way to compare technologies and find the tools that will best suit their needs. Global Biodefense >>
China Tests Its Most Dangerous Nuclear Weapon of All Time
China has reportedly conducted the fourth flight test of its DF-41 road-mobile ICBM. “The DF-41, with a range of between 6,835 miles and 7,456 miles, is viewed by the Pentagon as Beijing’s most potent nuclear missile and one of several new long-range missiles in development or being deployed.” National Interest >>
Social Media is Transforming Emergency Communications
Social media provides opportunities and possibilities to interact and engage with people during emergencies by disseminating relevant information and gathering posted information. Emergency managers who were formerly used to one-directional dissemination of information to the population are now exposed to vast amounts of information, originating from the public and typically before formal notifications. MNT >>
Lack of Experience with Kids May Lead to EMS Errors
The main challenge in providing safe care to children in ambulances may be the limited experience many emergency medical service (EMS) providers have in treating kids, a U.S. survey of first responders suggests. Though children make up almost one quarter of the U.S. population – or roughly 73 million kids – they account for just 13 percent of EMS transports and only one percent of rides requiring advanced life support. Reuters >>
Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches Hands-Free Radiation Detection Technology
With increasing fears that chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials or weapons will fall into terrorist hands, the need for innovative radiation detection technology has never been so pressing. In response, Thermo Fisher Scientific developed a new line of radiation area monitors that eliminates operational requirements for on-site safety and security personnel. HS Today >>