Topics in this issue include improving EMS for mass casualty response, UAV-mounted sensors for explosives detection, new emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare providers, and a tutorial on using the Global Terrorism Database.
In This Article
Responding to IED Attacks: Improving EMS for Violent Mass Casualty Incidents
EMS curricula, standards and policies still largely dictate that field EMS providers wait until police mitigate the threat before entering to treat victims. While EMS responders wait for a secure scene, the injured are not receiving care resulting in potentially preventable trauma-related disability and death. To be fair, the need for better field EMS response has not gone unaddressed. Security Insights >>
Aero ID Announces Explosives Sensor Payload for UAVs
The payload, which incorporates a deep ultraviolet standoff Raman sensor, allows military, law enforcement, or security personnel to remain at safe distances of up to five kilometres while investigating potential threats. The complete Aero ID explosives sensing system features a small folding UAV with mounted payload. The UAV has a flight time of over 20 minutes. Unmanned Systems Technology >>
Tutorial on Using the Global Terrorism Database
This training module provides a general overview of the world’s largest unclassified database on terrorism incidents, the Global Terrorism Database. Participants receive instruction on the analytical strengths of large datasets as well as the limits of this type of analysis. START >>
Ammonia Leak Causes Brief Alert for Nuclear Plant Near Dothan
Alabama Power issued an alert on the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan on Nov. 1 because ammonia was detected in one of the plant’s vital areas. The alert was terminated late the same night. Alabama.com >>
Management of Dead Bodies After Disasters: Field Manual for First Responders
The humanitarian community recognizes that proper management of the dead is a key component of disaster response, together with the recovery and care of survivors and the supply of basic services. Experience from events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines have reaffirmed that first responders – including local residents and volunteers – play an important role in managing the remains of those killed. PAHO >>
CMS Announces New Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Healthcare Organizations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released a final rule establishing preparedness requirements for service providers and suppliers. Rules include implementation by Nov 2017 of all-hazards risk assessments, emergency plans for the facilities; comprehensive procedures for executing the emergency plan, training plans, and a communications plan to support continuity of operations and on-going patient care. NACCHO >>
Bomb-Clearing Robots Help with Battle Against ISIS
In city-based conflicts, soldiers have started using lightweight, durable robots to sniff out improvised explosive devices and assess the terrain ahead. These remote-controlled soldiers, also called unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), have featured prominently in the Iraqi government’s recent invasion of ISIS-held Mosul. Defense Systems >>
IRPA Guidance on Certification of a Radiation Protection Expert
Guidance document for establishing schemes to assess and certify of competencies of individual radiation protection practitioners to undertake safety-related work. (.pdf) International Radiation Protection Agency >>
Scientific Research Into Decon of Patients Led by NARU
The first phase of a scientific research program reviewing the rinse-wipe-rinse non-ambulant decontamination process is now complete. The review resulted in a reduction from 12mins down to a 5mins turnaround cycle. The next phase of the project is to validate the data with live subjects and phase 3 will then look at what IOR looks like for non-ambulant casualties. National Ambulance Resilience Unit >>
Faced with Radio Silence, Responders see Capabilities for Broadband to Bridge the Gap
A tribal-sponsored LTE exercise yards from the rim of the Grand Canyon offered lessons on dealing with a high number of injuries in a remote and rugged location. Technology components played a key role, from remote telemedicine support from Kingman Regional Medical Center to a live video feed to the DEMA State’s Emergency Operations Center in Phoenix. FirstNet >>
DoD’s CBRN Task Force is National ‘Insurance Policy’
As to its primary mission, although state first responders generally have equipment and expertise of their own to handle CBRN emergencies, the JTF’s main role would be to provide extra capacity if local officials were to be overwhelmed by the scale of an incident and a governor asked for assistance from the Pentagon. Federal News Radio >>
Chemical Safety Board Says Multiple Errors Led to Fatal Accident
Errors in process management and equipment led to a 2013 fatal explosion at the Williams Olefins plant in Geismar, La., an investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety &Hazards Investigation Board (CSB) recently concluded. Two workers died and 167 other workers reported injuries after hydrocarbons leaked from a plant operation, formed a vapor cloud, and ignited. Chemical & Engineering News >>
Minnesota: Anhydrous Ammonia Leak Near Glyndon Closes Highway
Firefighters and a hazardous materials team responded to anhydrous ammonia leak outside the Kragness Farmers Elevator between Dilworth and Glyndon Nov 1. The anhydrous was coming from two tanks that were connected by a single valve and behind a pickup. Firefighters, wearing special breathing equipment, approached the tanks and stopped the leak. KFGO >>
Counternarcotics Detection: SERS and Gated Mesopourous Silica Nanoparticles
Their method combines of gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles and SERS spectroscopy using signal amplification based on gold nanoparticles. They have demonstrated proof of principle in detecting nanomolar concentrations of cocaine; specifically down to 10 nanomolar. The same technology can also be used to detect the genomic DNA of bacteria, such as mycoplasma, at a level of just 30 copies of the per microlitre. Spectroscopy Now >>
Congress’ Other Must-Pass Measure: Iran Sanctions
At the end of the year, the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) expires — and with it, the regime of existing U.S. sanctions lawmakers say are essential to ensure Washington can “snap back” punitive measures against Tehran should Iranian leaders violate the terms of the nuclear deal that went into effect earlier this year. But if lawmakers go too far in their bid to renew and possibly stiffen the sanctions, the White House fears Tehran could interpret it as a U.S. violation of the deal. Washington Post >>
Tracking Radioactive Sources in Moldova through Social Media
A CNS collaborative project with the National Agency for Regulation of Nuclear and Radiological Activities (NARNRA) is working to track and locate orphaned and legacy radioactive sources in Moldova using new media tools. CNS launched this project in February and reported its initial findings in July. Center for Nonproliferation Studies >>
Homeland Security Seeks Help on Bomb Chemicals
DHS wants to keep explosive precursor chemicals, such as ammonium nitrate, out of the hands of would-be bombers without disrupting industries, such as agriculture, that rely on these substances. At their behest, the National Academies has convened a committee of chemists and engineers with expertise in explosives materials to examine the issues and make recommendations. C&EN >>
Nuclear Weapons Workers Vote to Strike Over Pensions
Staff working at a nuclear weapons factory in Berkshire, UK have voted to strike over changes to their pensions. Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is contracted by the government to provide and maintain nuclear warheads. The Prospect union said members “cared deeply” about national security and did not want to take action “that could impact on the UK’s continuous sea deterrent”. BBC News >>
UN Extends Syria Chemical Weapons Inspection Mandate
The U.N. Security Council voted Monday to extend the mandate of inspectors charged with determining who is behind confirmed chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The resolution extends the mandate for the so-called Joint Investigative Mechanism, or JIM, which was set to expire on Monday, for two weeks while diplomats try to negotiate a longer extension. ABC News >>
Russian Nuclear Weapons Buildup and the Future of the New START Treaty
As a result of the buildup of its strategic offensive forces, however, Russia is now 246 warheads above the New START Treaty limit on deployed warheads. It now appears unlikely that Russia intends to comply with the New START Treaty ceilings in early 2018 when they come into legal effect. Real Clear Defense >>