California Gets 26 New Disaster Support Vehicles
n California, earthquakes, floods and fires are a way of life. A new fleet of support vehicles is designed to make sure emergency responders aren't going to run out of supplies in a major disaster."Basically, this vehicle has everything you would need to stay out in the field and take care of your crews and the people who are injured," said David Kerschner, an AMR paramedic.The state of California just acquired 26 of these trucks at a total cost of $2 million, paid for by the federal government's bioterrorism preparedness grant. The vehicles carry a large supply of trauma supplies, as well as items like blankets."The need was recognized following the attack on 9/11, and also during Hurricane Katrina," said Jeffrey Rubin, division chief of the state's Emergency Medical Services authority, which partnered with American Medical Response on the project.The 26 trucks are now strategically placed around the state. Locally, we have one in West Sacramento, Placer County, and the San Joaquin Valley.ESS offers anti-terror exercises
TEMPE, Ariz., April 2 (UPI) -- Arizona-based crisis-management software developer ESS says it will sponsor an anti-terrorism exercise with strategies for the defense of chemical facilities.ESS officials say the anti-terror exercise is an effort to address new U.S. Homeland Security Department requirements under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorist Standards designed to better prepare targeted chemical facilities against potential terrorist threats. The planned chemical facility anti-terrorism exercise will be held at the ESS Expo 08 in Phoenix. Included in the exercise will be a simulation of terrorists gaining access to a chemical processing facility and strategies for emergency response personnel on how to handle the situation with minimal damage. Officials say the exercise will also provide a multi-hazard scenario in the potential for a pandemic. "The Department of Homeland Security believes chemical processing facilities are major targets for terrorist attacks," Robert Johnson, ESS president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "That is why a growing number of organizations are implementing crisis management software solutions as a best practice to help responders streamline response during exercises and real-time emergencies."
Homeland Security Drill In Fernandina Beach Simulates Nuclear Accident (FL)
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL -- Emergency responders from North Florida into South Georgia staged a nightmare scenario this morning.They practiced what to do next if there was a nuclear accident at the nearby Kings Bay Submarine Base.Crews from Fernandina Beach and Nassau County worked near the Fort Clinch State Park, simulating that five campers there were overcome in a radioactive cloud.
Rockville biotech Novavax envisions a world of vaccine plants
Novavax, a re-startup biotech of sorts, was on its fiscal knees just three years ago. Now its executives are thinking big, albeit on multiple small scales.
The company plans to ‘‘clone” its new, small-scale vaccine-making plant in Rockville and put those clones in developing countries to fight influenza. And it has a new partner on board: GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric Co.
The best way to control the deadly bird influenza virus that experts fear could threaten human populations may be a series of small-scale, efficient vaccine plants in developing countries, according to James M. Robinson, vice president at Novavax.
The company plans to ‘‘clone” its new, small-scale vaccine-making plant in Rockville and put those clones in developing countries to fight influenza. And it has a new partner on board: GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric Co.
The best way to control the deadly bird influenza virus that experts fear could threaten human populations may be a series of small-scale, efficient vaccine plants in developing countries, according to James M. Robinson, vice president at Novavax.
Cabinet approves large-scale emergency army drill next week
The security sabinet on Wednesday approved plans for a large-scale emergency drill scheduled to take place next week across the country. The drill will include all the government ministries, the Israel Defense Forces, local authorities and educational facilities. The drill will simulate a war-time attack on civilians. It will be the largest drill in the past few years and ten of thousands of people are expected to participate, whether in the field or in special war rooms
The drill will begin on Sunday with a special government meeting. On Monday, a cabinet meeting will simulate a situation in which Israel is at war. On Tuesday, an emergency siren will be heard all over the country as local authorities and the Home Front Command will simulate missile strikes through out the nation. The drill will be run by Rachel - the national emergency authority -which was formed following the second Lebanon war and is in charge of preparing civilians for emergency situations during war.
Report: New Nuclear Arms Race Possible
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5imG-Gmyrfld190llCL7AdcThgngAD8VQ0MTG0
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Arabia most likely would develop nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them, according to a report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
High-level American diplomats in Riyadh with excellent access to Saudi decision-makers said an Iranian nuclear weapon frightens the Saudis "to their core" and would compel the Saudis to seek nuclear weapons, the report said. The American diplomats were not identified.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Arabia most likely would develop nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them, according to a report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
High-level American diplomats in Riyadh with excellent access to Saudi decision-makers said an Iranian nuclear weapon frightens the Saudis "to their core" and would compel the Saudis to seek nuclear weapons, the report said. The American diplomats were not identified.
Pandemic fear over resistant superbug
TERRORISM DRILLS ENTER 3RD DAY(NE)
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