HAZMAT ARCHIVES
Call for Help – Defending the Food Supply
Amy Kircher
January 29, 2014
There are plots to use food as a delivery mechanism for weapons of mass destruction and plots to intentionally alter food products for economic gain. As such, food defense is everybody’s business. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently asking for comments that would help mitigate the intentional adulteration
Protecting the Food Supply Outside the Walls
Don Hsieh
January 15, 2014
When food products disappear, there are no serial or vehicle identification numbers to identify these stolen goods when they re-enter legal markets. Although there is a significant financial concern to the companies, a greater public concern is the safety of the food itself – ranging from improper handling and storage
Checklists for All-Hazards Food Defense Planning
Kay C. Goss
January 15, 2014
In the not-too-distant past, most food consumed by Americans traveled directly from the farm to the kitchen table. Today, there are a dozen or so stops of varying duration on the way – all of them vulnerable to mold, theft, sabotage, spoiling, and/or infection from zoonotic diseases.
Food Processors – Recovery Before a Recall
Wm. Mark Cosby
January 15, 2014
Recovery begins during the planning stage. As past unintentional cases of food contamination have shown, the effects of an intentional incident could be extremely costly to food processors and the nation as a whole. Understanding the features that processors should include in their recovery plans will help to quickly restore
New Mexico – ‘Defensive’ About Agriculture & Food
Kelly Hamilton
January 8, 2014
In a state with a large agricultural and food industry, protecting that infrastructure is a difficult yet necessary task that New Mexico takes very seriously. Guidance and support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have helped initiate innovative programs and exercises to protect the state’s cattle, alfalfa hay, milk,
Training & Protecting the First On-Scene Responders
Richard Schoeberl
January 1, 2014
When a chemical or biological attack occurs, the first responders on the scene need the proper training and equipment not only to protect themselves but also to save others during the critical first ours after the attack. Today, unfortunately, not all of the nation’s responders receive the same training and/or
The Future of Training: Integrated, Intuitive & Interactive
Craig Crume
December 18, 2013
Different people have different learning styles; therefore, an effective training process must be able to meet those individual needs in order to improve information retention, resolve issues, and promote an ongoing learning experience. As equipment evolves, so too must the training. Otherwise, that shiny new equipment may simply gather dust.
Detection Technology – Decisions & Support
Chris Weber
December 11, 2013
New technologies and equipment mean new training concerns. Ensuring that responders are capable of choosing the right equipment for an incident, knowing how to use it, and accurately interpreting the results are regular challenges for first responders and hazardous materials teams. To address these challenges, experts offer multi-technology support.
Community Resilience & Functional Needs
Marko Bourne
December 10, 2013
On 7 November 2013, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that: (a) New York City’s emergency planning inadequately accommodates people with disabilities; and (b) the city is in violation of local and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. In his ruling, Furman said that the city’s current plans
A Unified Strategy for Biodefense Preparedness
Patrick P. Rose
November 13, 2013
Regardless of what many experts perceive as the likelihood of a biological attack, continuing improvements in U.S. public health preparedness programs are necessary to ensure more effective response operations and save countless lives. A cooperative approach to biodefense planning should include an expansion of the nation’s existing arsenal of medical
Intelligent Accountability – Being Prepared for the Unthinkable
Susan Collins
November 13, 2013
The unthinkable can happen at any time, and in any place. Being able to track and credential first responders in a timely manner against the unseen perils in today’s dangerous world can save many lives. This podcast interview provides important insights on the effective use and training of intelligent accountability
Needed: More Biothreat Training for First Responders
Steven P. Bucci and Jennifer Corrente-Bucci
November 13, 2013
Biological weapons are the most significant threat the United States now faces. Identifying the signs and symptoms early is the best method of defending against such weapons, but U.S. military personnel are not yet properly equipped and trained to identify and prevent the spread of such threats.
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