In This Article
PNNL Biodetection Guide Downloaded By 10,000+
The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory recently announced that first responders have downloaded more than 10,000 copies of their guide to commercially available, hand-portable biodetection technologies. Global Biodefense >>
DHS IG Questions Value of CBP’s Border Drone Program
The program, administered by CBP, paid roughly $12,255 an hour to fly its drones, operated them for less than it had promised, and mainly used them to cover just 170 miles of the U.S. border. One-fifth of CBP drone flights were actually conducted within the interior of the United States and beyond the 100-mile range of operations of CBP jurisdiction points. HSNW >>
Medical Laboratory Leads Task Force in Liberia
The 1st Area Medical Laboratory is leading a joint task force that is operating six Ebola testing laboratories in Liberia. Made up of microbiologists and laboratory technicians from the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, or AML, and Naval Medicine Research Center, Task Force Scientist also includes civil affairs and military police personnel. 20th CBRNE Command >>
Improving Our Aim for Consistent Reactor Oversight
GAO report finds that the NRC’s four regional offices produced varied results when assessing the some issues, such as improper maintenance for minor electrical transformers at a plant. While this programmatic variation fell short of creating a safety issue, the report recommended the NRC look into this inconsistency. U.S. NRC >>
“Bread Crumbs” for First Responders
NIST has demonstrated a prototype approach to maintain two-way communications with first responders as they make their way in building fires, and mine and tunnel collapses. The system is highly automated so that it can be deployed on the fly. It features “smart” multi-hop relays or “bread crumbs” that advise first responders when to place the next device so as to extend the communications range. FLC NewsLink >>
EOD Forges Interagency Relationships
The 749th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company worked with Denver law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation bomb squad last month to enhance their abilities, and to better interagency cooperation for future large scale training events. 20th CBRNE Command >>
DoD Officials Announce European Infrastructure Consolidation
Divestiture of the Royal Air Force Mildenhall facility represents the largest reduction in U.S. personnel among all the actions. The basing decisions will result in a net decrease of roughly 2,000 U.S. service members and civilians in the United Kingdom over the next several years. DoD News >>
2012 Train Derailment, First Responders and “Indefensible Actions”
It is imperative that every step is taken to protect and train emergency responders. When the exposure levels are unknown, the leadership onsite should proceed to instruct emergency responders to protect themselves as if the level is above established occupational exposure limits until it is proven otherwise. In the Paulsboro incident, that didn’t happen. The Pump Handle >>
Tech Transfer Opportunity: Bread Crumbs for First Responders
NIST has demonstrated a prototype approach to maintain two-way communications with first responders as they make their way in building fires, and mine and tunnel collapses. The system is highly automated so that it can be deployed on the fly. It features “smart” multi-hop relays or “bread crumbs” that advise first responders when to place the next device so as to extend the communications range. FLC NewsLink >>
Veterans Affected by Agent Orange-Contaminated Airplanes
A new report from the Institute of Medicine finds that Air Force personnel based in the U.S. who worked after the Vietnam War on aircraft used to spray Agent Orange could have been exposed to unhealthy levels of the herbicide. For decades, the VA denied applications for benefits under the Agent Orange Act on the basis that these reservists were ineligible, because they didn’t have “boots on the ground” service in Vietnam. Global Biodefense >>
Ex-Israeli Security Chief: Big Data Key to Anti-Terrorist Fight
The former head of the Israel Security Agency’s IT unit says big data and data analytics—something the U.S. military has been focusing on—have been widely used by the Israeli military and intelligence agencies to track down enemies of the Israeli state, including several senior Hamas leaders killed during the Israeli incursion into Gaza Strip last summer. Defense Systems >>
From Patent Law to Chemical Weapons, Lucas Osborn is on the Global Stage
Last month, Osborn became the only American now serving on the organization’s Confidentiality Commission, a subgroup charged with protecting the military secrets of countries that consent to chemical weapons inspections. News Observer >>
North Korea Hints At Nuclear Test Moratorium
North Korea has told the United States that it is willing to impose a temporary moratorium on its nuclear tests if Washington scraps planned military drills with South Korea this year. Washington called the linking of the military drills with a possible nuclear test “an implicit threat,” but said it was open to dialogue with North Korea. The World Post >>
Could the Paris Attack Change Europe’s Approach to Radical Islam?
Even before the killers and hostage-takers met their end, voices were raised to warn against the danger of an anti-Muslim “backlash.” Lately, these warnings have been issued even before the completion of the terror attack that might supposedly provoke such a backlash. Defense One >>
U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Analytic Capabilities
The large numbers and diversified nature of the U.S. tactical nuclear forces, which cannot be ignored as part of the overall nuclear deterrent, have decreased substantially since the Cold War. While there is domestic consensus today on the need to maintain an effective deterrent, there is no consensus on precisely what that requires, especially in a changing geopolitical environment and with continued reductions in nuclear arms. National Academies Press >>
How Nanobiophysics Can Stop Ebola and Other Global Pandemics
Quantifying the viral loads of viruses before symptoms appear will radically change how we stop the spread of diseases and prevent future pandemics. By precision controlling nanomachines that read and write DNA, new technologies like Gene-RADAR can rapidly detect and quantify genetic fingerprints of various pathogens like Ebola, HIV, and the flu at the point-of-care with gold standard accuracy. Wired >>
U.S. Lawmakers Looking to Intensify DOE’s Low-Dose Radiation Research
Exposure to very low levels of ionizing radiation is common—medical procedures, air travel, and industrial processes expose people to such radiation every day. But the health implications of these very low doses are not well understood. A bipartisan bill passed 7 January by the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to alter that landscape by revitalizing an existing Department of Energy low-dose radiation research program. Science Insider >>
New DHS Tech Helps First Responders Communicate Faster and Cheaper
A new, low-cost interoperability solution developed by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) could save the first responder community millions of dollars. The Radio Internet Protocol Communications Module (RIC-M), used by local, state and federal responders, is a low-cost, external, stand-alone, interface device that connects radio frequency (RF) system base stations, consoles and other RF equipment—regardless of brand. FLC NewsLink >>
PWW to Host Webinar on Rights of Women in EMS
A webinar called “The Legal Rights of Women in EMS—Are We Still in the Dark?” will be hosted on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, from 2:00-3:00 PM (EST). Presenters will include Christie Mellott and Amanda Ward—both attorneys with PWW and experts in the field of legal compliance and women’s issues in EMS. EMS Today >>