Emergency Preparedness News articles

Recent articles from Emergency Preparedness News

Responder advice for 911 calls: prevent tragedies with training.(National Emergency Number Association)
June 21, 2006... Every minute in the United States, there are 400 calls to 911, totaling more than 200 million calls a year. "The vast majority of the calls are handled appropriately," said Patrick Halley, government affairs director for the National Emergency Number Association in Arlington, Va. But...

Technology demands upgrades to emergency communications.(Slants & Trends)
June 21, 2006... "The 911 system of today has been stretched to its limit due to the advancement of modern communications technology," according to Robert Cobb, director of the National Emergency Number Association's Next Generation Enhanced 911 Program. The current system "is ill-equipped to handle calls...

U.S. emergency care system deemed unready for disaster.
June 21, 2006... The U.S. emergency care system is "fragmented and stretched to the breaking point," "severely compromised in its ability to handle disasters," and funded in a drastically uneven manner from state to state. Such are the findings of two groups that are closely tracking the disaster response...

Early detection system aims to improve bioterror/pandemic disaster response.
June 21, 2006... While the nation may be unprepared to handle the medical aspects of disaster (see story, this page), San Diego's Sharp Memorial Hospital has completed a pilot program designed to allow early detection, then swift and efficient management of, a bioterrorist attack or major disease outbreak....

Fire chief advises: hazmat training essential to avoid deadly incidents.
June 21, 2006... "While the safety of emergency responders cannot be fully guaranteed, the number of those injured or killed as a result of exposure to hazardous materials can be significantly impacted through training," according to Steven Bell, battalion chief for the Augusta Fire Department. Bell testified...