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• Study of Standby Water Fees/User Fees for Fire Sprinkler System Connections to Water Mains

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  "Standby water fees/user fees for fire sprinkler system connections to water mains, levied by water utility agencies, were being challenged as excessive and unwarranted by fire protection organizations. Most water utility agencies claimed a right to charge standby water fees/user fees and believed they were reasonable and justified. The purpose of the research was to identify and evaluate the issues on both sides of the debate and to formulate recommendations. Historical and descriptive research methodology was use to answer these questions: 1. Which states have proposed or enacted legislation or rules regulating standby water fees/user fees? 2. What is a reasonable standby water fee/user fee? 3. What services do water utility agencies provide to justify their standby water fees/user fees? 4. What alternatives are available to water utility agencies that depend on the revenue generated by standby water fees/user fees?"

  National Fire Academy

  Wood, Thomas R.

  1995-07
• Providence Fire Department Staffing Study Revisited

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  "The Providence Fire Department conducted a staffing study in 1990-1991 to determine the effect of increased staffing on injury-related costs. Staffing on the six busiest companies was increased from three members to four. An actuary concluded that a substantial savings was achieved, resulting in permanent staffing increases. The results of the staffing study were subject to criticism on the basis of participant bias and the Hawthorne Effect, because participating firefighters knew of the study, and of the possibility for permanent staffing increases. The problem prompting this research was that increased staffing remained highly controversial due to budgetary problems facing Providence. Politicians and the media regularly referred to the department as 'bloated.' The purpose of this research was to determine if injury reductions observed during the original staffing study continued during subsequent years. The historical method was used."

  National Fire Academy

  Varone, J. Curtis

  1995-08
• Structure Triage During Wildland/Urban Interface/Intermix Fires

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  "This research project analyzed the factors that influence the survivability of structures located in wildland/urban interface and intermix zones. The purpose of the project was to produce a short, simple checklist fire officers can use to do structure triage during a wildland conflagration. This research employed both historical and action research (a) to identify attributes of land and buildings that compromise firefighter safety during structure-protection operations, (b) to identify those physical features of a structure and its environs that serve as reliable predictors of structure survivability during wildfire, (c) to assess which survivability predictors are of practical value in performing structure triage, and (d) to develop guidelines that help direct the actions of firefighters undertaking structure protection in scarceresource situations occasioned by uncontrollable wildland fires. The principal procedure employed was review of instructional materials and wildfire case studies focusing on structure protection in wildland/urban interface/intermix areas. Data were compiled in table form to facilitate comparison of survivability factors discussed in the literature."

  National Fire Academy

  Brown, Keith

  1994-02
• Marketing Strategy for Wildland Fuel Reduction in Palm Coast, Florida

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  "Palm Coast, Florida, is a 42,000-acre planned residential community on the east coast of Florida characterized by large areas of intermix wildland/urban interface. A need for wildland fuel hazard mitigation has been identified; however a marketing strategy does not exist for implementation of wildland fuel reduction measures. The purpose of this research was to develop a marketing strategy that identifies acceptable fuel reduction methods and funding options for mitigating the wildfire hazard. Action research methods were used to answer the following questions: 1. Are Palm Coast residents aware of the wildfire hazard in their development? 2. What fuel reduction methods are available for use in Palm Coast? 3. What fuel reduction measures are acceptable to homeowners and lot owners in Palm Coast? 4. Are homeowners and lot owners willing to pay for acceptable fuel reduction measures? 5. If they are willing to pay for fuel reduction measures, what methods for funding a fuel reduction program are preferred? Surveys of lot owners and homeowners in selected portions of Palm Coast were performed to solicit their responses to questions designed to answer research questions one, three, four, and five. Research question two was answered by a review of the literature."

  National Fire Academy

  Kuypers, Mike

  1995-10
• Technologies to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, March 12, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Jack Reed: "The subcommittee meets today to hear testimony on technology to combat weapons of mass destruction (WMD). We are fortunate to have started with a demonstration of a number of technologies being developed or fielded for our military and other government agencies, including some technologies that are used here in the Homeland to protect our population. […] We hope to learn today about the challenges you all face in trying to develop these technologies, the successes that you have had, and how this technology fits into our numerous efforts to combat WMD. We thank you and all of those who you work with for your dedicated efforts to keep our Nation and our military forces safe from these dangerous threats. We appreciate that your agencies also had a role in the response to and decontamination of the Senate office buildings after the anthrax attacks of October 2001. We look forward to hearing your testimony." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jack Reed, James A. Tegnelia, Stephen Reeves, and T. Jan Cerveny.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Department of Homeland Security Purchase Cards: Credit Without Accountability, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, July 19, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Susan M. Collins: "Today, the Committee will examine the results of the joint investigation conducted by the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General into wasteful and potentially fraudulent uses of DHS' purchase cards. Government purchase cards are similar to the personal credit cards that many of us carry, but with a notable difference: The American taxpayer pays the bill. The government is responsible for paying all charges by purchase cardholders regardless of what was purchased or whether the buyer got a fair price. When used properly, purchase cards allow agencies to streamline the acquisition process and reduce costs when buying goods and services or paying government contractors. When used improperly, purchase cards enable wasteful and even fraudulent transactions. [...]Today's hearing will focus on spending associated with DHS purchase cards in the months both immediately preceding and following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita when DHS was given ex-panded authority for using purchase cards. I opposed raising the micropurchase threshold to $250,000, fearing that hurried and wasteful spending might occur. GAO's investigation indicates that my fears were warranted." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Susan M. Collins, Joseph I. Lieberman, Norm Coleman, Gregory D. Kutz, John J. Ryan and David L. Norquist.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• Inherently Safer Technology in the Context of Chemical Site Security, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, June 21, 2006

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  From the opening statement of James M. Inhofe: "Today the committee will be examining a concept called Inherently Safer Technology and its relation, if any, to making chemical sites more secure against terrorist attacks. Last week the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee held a markup on S. 2145, a bill to require heightened security at our Nation's chemical sites. During that markup, the subject of IST was hotly debated. An amendment to require IST was wisely voted down by a bipartisan vote of 11 to 5. Despite this defeat, I am certain this environmental concept will continue to be debated in the context of security, thus our hearing today remains important. IST is essentially the idea of giving the Federal Government authority to mandate that a private company change its manufacturing process or the chemicals that they use. We will hear today from witnesses about how IST applies in the real world, what it can do and what it cannot do. In the wake of 9/11, there was a realization that chemical facilities, which are critical to our Nation's economy, could be targets for terrorism. Since then, the Bush Administration has made a determined effort to protect our Nation's critical infrastructure against terrorists who aim to harm us. Congress, too, has acted by enacting into law the Marine Transportation Security Act, the Bioterrorism Act, and a comprehensive nuclear security package that was passed out of this committee." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher S. Bond, James M. Inhofe, James M. Jeffords, Frank R. Lautenberg, Barack Obama, George V. Voinovich, Joseph Biden, Charlie Cott, Philip J. Crowley, Barbara Boxer, Dennis C. Hendershot, Lisa P. Jackson, and David A. Moore.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Grants: Risk Based or Guess Work? Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, June 21, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Peter King. "The committee is meeting today to hear testimony on the reduction of terrorism preparedness grants and its potential effects on New York City, the National Capital Region, and our Nation. I will make a brief opening statement then I will ask the Ranking Member, Mr. Thompson, to make a statement and then we will proceed immediately to our witnesses on the first panel. I think this morning's hearing is as important as any hearing this committee is going to have, because to me it goes right to the heart of what the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security is and whether or not the Department of Homeland Security is equipped to meet the threats which face our Nation today. I happen to be from New York, and I actually have a very personal interest in what happens to the city of New York, but this goes far beyond New York City, it goes far beyond Washington, D.C., which is obviously where I also spend a good deal of time, and where I am also a very close neighbor of Mayor Williams." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Peter T. King, Bennie G. Thompson, Charlie Dent, Normal D. Dicks, Vito Fossella, Jim Gibbons, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Nita M. Lowey, Daniel E. Lungren, Michael T. McCaul, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Bill Pascrell, Dave G. Reichert, Christopher Shays, Rob Simmons, Michael Bloomberg, Raymond W. Kelly, Anthony Williams, Ed Reiskin, Charles Ramsey, Mike Smith, and George Foresman.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform: Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, March 8, 2006

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  This hearing entitled "Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform" was before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, second session, on March 8, 2006. From the text: "The fact is that the failures of government associated with Hurricane Katrina were overwhelming, and they occurred at all levels. That is clear from our investigation and I know is self-evident at this point to the American people. Government's response to Katrina was a national disgrace, and it has shaken the confidence of the American people in their leaders' ability to protect them when they most need that protection. However, out of this catastrophe, which has been followed, I am afraid, by a painfully slow and flawed recovery, we have a chance together to show the way to the creation of a new system of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery that learns from those agencies that worked very well, like the Weather Service and the Coast Guard, while reforming those that did not, like FEMA. That is our charge."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006-03-08
• Manufacturers of FEMA Trailers and Elevated Formaldehyde Levels, Hearing Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, July 9, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Henry A. Waxman: "Today the committee is holding its second hearing on formaldehyde in FEMA trailers. A year ago the committee examined how FEMA responded to reports that the families living in Government trailers were being exposed to hazardous levels of formaldehyde. Our hearing revealed that the FEMA staff out in the field said that they needed to test these trailers so the dangerous levels of formaldehyde would not adversely affect the families living in these trailers, but FEMA, itself, in Washington refused to do that. One FEMA lawyer directed: 'Do not initiate any testing. Once you get results and should they indicate some problem, the clock is running on our duty to respond'. Well, what we learned at that hearing outraged Americans all across the country. FEMA had a duty to protect families living in its trailers and it failed them. I expect today's hearing will also generate a sense of outrage. The largest supplier of FEMA trailers by far was a manufacturer named Gulf Stream. In the weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck, Gulf Stream received contracts from FEMA worth more than $500 million to supply over 50,000 trailers for displaced residents of the Gulf Coast. FEMA failed by ignoring the dangers of formaldehyde and resisted testing. Gulf Stream's problem is different." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael McGeehin, Jim Shea, Ronald J. Fenech, Peter Liegl, Dan Burton, Tom Davis, Bill Sali, Mark E. Souder, Diane E. Watson, and Henry A. Waxman.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Host Communities: Analyzing the Role and Needs of Communities that Take in Disaster Evacuees in the Wake of Major Disasters and Catastrophes, Hearing Before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, December 3, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Mary Landrieu: "So I have convened this Subcommittee to underscore one of the most significant challenges during and after any disaster: The role and needs of communities that take in these disaster evacuees-just like Kemberly Samuels, just like the story of Bobbie Moreau, and thousands and thousands of others like them. This is the seventh public hearing of this Subcommittee, as I have said. These hearings are intended to look into the laws and policies that govern our response to all disasters. Many of these hearings in the past have focused on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita because they highlighted the deficiencies in our response planning. These stories are just the beginning of a longer, arduous process to rebuild the lives of these disaster victims and others. In the aftermath of the 2005 storms, citizens of the Gulf Coast were shipped, literally-by rail, by bus, by air-all over the country. More than 200,000 found immediate refuge right here in Baton Rouge, our capital city, and evacuees almost doubled the population of Baton Rouge at the time, and we will hear from Mayor Holden about the impact that caused to this community. More than 304,000 people, according to FEMA estimates, were evacuated to Houston, Texas; more than 80,000 to Jackson, Mississippi; and these other mayors can tell the numbers from their cities." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Mary Landrieu, Melvin 'Kip' Holden, Randy Roach, Mayson H. Foster, Mary Hawkins-Butler, Sid Hebert, Robert A. Eckles, Raymond A. Jetson, Kim Boyle, and Greg Davis.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Summary Report California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Evaluation of Full-Face Air-Purifying Respirators for Wildland Fire Fighting Use

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  "Wildland fire suppression personnel employed by the CDF [California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] do not currently have the equipment to protect themselves from the short-term acute affects of smoke from wildland fires. In addition, no regulations exist that specify appropriate respiratory protection and the current air-purifying respirator technology and carbon monoxide monitoring has not been adapted to fit wildland fire suppression requirements. This three-year limited study evaluated the ability of wildland fire fighters to perform their normal job function while wearing full-face air-purifying respirators. In the first two years of this study we designed, developed and field tested a prototype 'smart' air-purifying respirator which incorporated a real-time carbon monoxide monitor into a commercial full-face respirator. Data on carbon monoxide exposure while fighting wildland fires was collected. During the third year of this study we evaluated eight different commercially available full-face air-purifying respirators equipped with a variety of cartridges. Apparatus to aid the fire fighter in carrying the respirator and carbon monoxide personal monitor was designed and fabricated. A smoke exposure test method was developed and a laboratory study on the penetration of smoke through respirator cartridges was conducted."

  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  Beason, Donald G.; Johnson, James S.; Foote, Kenneth L. . . .

  1996-02
• Review of the Research on Response to Improvised Nuclear Device Events

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  This paper provides a review of research on response to an improvised nuclear device (IND) detonation in an American city. The document establishes a framework under which past findings can be understood, identifies gaps, and makes recommendations for future research.

  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  2008-07-09
• Border Violence: An Examination of DHS Strategies and Resources: Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, March 12, 2009

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  From the opening statement of Loretta Sanchez: "With the Mexican government engaged in a violent struggle against well armed drug cartels that frequently resemble advanced military units, the United States and this Congress cannot ignore our role in assisting our neighbor and ally in this fight, and preventing this violence from spreading across our border. [...] In developing a strategy to assist and deal with the drug cartel war in Mexico there are several key issues that must be addressed: How will we as a nation address the fact that 90 percent of guns found in Mexico come from our streets and stores? What role do we have in training, preparing and providing assistance to the Mexican government? How will we ensure that our shared trade and commerce routes that supply our country with many essentials products are safe from disruption in Mexico? And, how can we ensure that a variety of U.S. Departments and agencies work together efficiently and effectively to respond to this threat? [...] With those concerns in mind, it is essential that the Department of Homeland Security, along with other relevant Departments, continue to pursue a contingency plan to address 'spillover' violence along our border." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Loretta Sanchez, Bennie G. Thompson, Roger T. Rufe, Jr., Alonzo R. Pena, John Leech, Salvador Nieto, and Kumar C. Kibble.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2010
• Reauthorization of the Federal Rail Safety Program, Hearings before the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, January 30 and 31, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Corrine Brown: "The Subcommittee is meeting today to hear testimony on reauthorization of the Federal Rail Safety Program. Since this is our first meeting of the 110th Congress, I believe this is a good opportunity to outline the near-term agenda of the Subcommittee, and our efforts to address many of the transportation challenges facing this Country. First, let me say how pleased I am to serve as the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. I have loved the railroads since I was a child watching the Silver Meter pass by my house every day. And I often tease members, pass through my house, we were just that close to it. I am also pleased to have the opportunity to work with my Republican colleague, Congressman Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania. And you can rest assured that the Transportation Committee is one committee in this House and this Subcommittee that will be run very bipartisan. We will work together for the good of the people of this Country. Thank you for being the Subcommittee Ranking Member. The Subcommittee will have an active agenda in the coming weeks and months, starting with the reauthorization of the Rail Safety program." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph H. Boardman, Charles A. Gonzalez, Calvin Scovel, Katherine Siggerud, Robert L. Sumwalt, Corrine Brown, Jerry F. Costello, Elijah E. Cummings, John L. Mica, James L. Oberstar, Tim Walz, Bill Shuster, Bruce L. Braley, Grace F. Napolitano, Steve Larson, Edward R. Hamberger, Earl Pomeroy, Edward W. Rodzwicz, Richard F. Timmons, Sharon L. Van Dyck, Edward Wytkind, and Cynthia Hilton.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• Smallpox: Is the Department of Defense Prepared?

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  "Biological weapons pose a clear and present danger to U.S. national security, U.S. forces, and key allies and friends. Their low cost, low visibility, high potency, accessibility, and easy delivery make BW attractive to adversaries seeking new methods of violence when current ones no longer achieve their intended effect. With a case fatality rate of 30 percent and no effective treatment smallpox is one of the most feared of all biological weapons. Thus, the central research question is: Given the asymmetric threat posed by biological weapons and recent advances in biotechnology, is the Department of Defense (DoD) prepared to counter the current smallpox threat? A comparative analysis was completed evaluating differences between smallpox and influenza preparedness. The analysis included evaluation of detection and surveillance (the components of recognition), as well as applied research, specialized infrastructure, and disease prevention and control (the elements of intervention). The analysis determined DoD is largely unprepared. Recommendations to improve response include: research and development of new vaccines and antivirals, enhanced vaccine production capacity, additional research focused at bolstering nonspecific immunity, improved clinical diagnostics and additional specialized laboratory infrastructure."

  U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

  Ford, Stephen

  2003
• Planning for Natural Disaster Debris [March 2008]

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  This document provides guidance on how to manage debris from natural disasters.

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency

  2008-03
• Community Emergency Response Team: Course Overview

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  "The purpose of this Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training is to provide the private citizens who complete this course with the basic skills that they will need to respond to their community's immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available. By working together, CERTs can assist in saving lives and protecting property using the basic techniques in this course."

  Community Emergency Response Team (U.S.)

  2006
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Instructor Guide

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  This is the CERT basic training instructor guide that helps support the concept that some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would improve the ability of citizens to survive and to safely help others until responders or other assistance could arrive.

  Community Emergency Response Team (U.S.)

  2011-01-01?
• Dearborn CERT Supports Community Response Team in the United Arab Emirates

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  "An ongoing partnership between Michigan emergency managers and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is spanning language barriers and thousands of miles to build an international preparedness partnership. Given its desert environment, the UAE faces a number of climate-related challenges, including extreme heat and sandstorms. In addition, the country's relatively new infrastructure presents emergency response officials with new logistical challenges, such as evacuating very tall buildings in the event of an emergency. In 2008, the UAE visited official emergency response authorities of several countries, seeking ways to engage the country's youth and young adults in community service. UAE officials identified the United States' CERT [Community Emergency Response Teams] program and the Swedish Civil Defense League as models for training and engagement. To expand its CERT cooperation, UAE officials looked to partner with Dearborn, Michigan, a city, which according to the 2010 U.S. Census is home to the largest percentage (nearly 40 percent) of Arab-Americans in the United States. As a result of its large Arab population, Dearborn officials had begun an effort to translate the CERT curriculum into Arabic shortly before meeting with UAE officials in 2009. Kevin Sweeney, Michigan State Police Sergeant, and Brad Smith, Dearborn Emergency Management Homeland Security Director, spearheaded the translation effort with the support of others in the community."

  Community Emergency Response Team (U.S.)

  2014-07-16?
• Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook; Third Edition

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  "Through this handbook and the training courses noted above, military medical professionals will learn that effective medical countermeasures are available against many of the bacteria, viruses, and toxins which might be used as biological weapons against our military forces. The importance of this education cannot be overemphasized and it is hoped that our physicians, nurses, and allied medical professionals will develop a solid understanding of the biological threats we face and the medical armamentarium for defending against these threats."

  U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

  Eitzen, Edward; Pavlin, Julie A.; Cieslak, Ted . . .

  1998-07
• Combating Terrorism: Federal Response to a Biological Weapons Attack: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, July 23, 2001

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  From the opening statement of Mr. Shays: "The focus of our hearing today is a recent terrorism response exercise ominously named Dark Winter, during which the unimaginable had to be imagined, a multi-site smallpox attack on an unvaccinated American populace. The scenario called upon those playing the President, the National Security Council, and State officials to deal with the crippling consequences of what quickly became a massive public health and national security crisis." Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: John Hamre, Frank Keating, Sam Nunn, Margaret Hamburg, Jerome Hauer, D.A. Henderson, Ronald O. Harrison, William A. Cugno, Fred Reese, James Hughes, James LeDuc, Patricia Quinlisk, Jeffrey Duchin, and Christopher Shays.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2002
• Wildfire, Wildlands, and People: Understanding and Preparing for Wildfire in the Wildland-Urban Interface

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  "Fire has historically played a fundamental ecological role in many of America's wildland areas. However, the rising number of homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), associated impacts on lives and property from wildfire, and escalating costs of wildfire management have led to an urgent need for communities to become 'fire-adapted.' We present maps of the conterminous United States that illustrate historical natural fire regimes, the wildland-urban interface, and the number and location of structures burned since 1999. We outline a sampler of actions, programs, and community planning and development options to help decrease the risks of and damages from wildfire."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Stein, Susan M.; Comas, Sara J.; Menakis, James P. . . .

  2013-01
• Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Air

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  "This state-of-knowledge review about the effects of fire on air quality can assist land, fire, and air resource managers with fire and smoke planning, and their efforts to explain to others the science behind fire-related program policies and practices to improve air quality. Chapter topics include air quality regulations and fire; characterization of emissions from fire; the transport, dispersion, and modeling of fire emissions; atmospheric and plume chemistry; air quality impacts of fire; social consequences of air quality impacts; and recommendations for future research."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Sandberg, David V., 1944-; Ottmar, Roger D.; Peterson, Janice L. . . .

  2002-12
• Homeland Security: Under Organized and Over Involved

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  This is a pre-9/11 paper about Homeland Defense. "Homeland Defense is the latest hot topic making the rounds within the Beltway. Articles are being written, committees formed, and think tanks are being engaged to express thoughts, commentary, and perhaps just to make noise about homeland defense. The buzz is all around town. The central thesis of this paper is that the federal government is not organized for success in homeland defense. The second and subordinate thesis is that the DoD is overly involved in domestic homeland defense, and has wandered deeply into the area of responsibility of civil authorities. This paper will seek to redefine homeland defense into a broader concept of homeland security, review key points of the current discussion, and make recommendations regarding next steps."

  National War College (U.S.)

  Wisniewski, Douglas J.

  2001
• Search and Rescue Operations in California During Flooding: January to March, 1995

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  This report is part of a series of reports on technical rescue incidents across the United States. Technical rescue has become increasingly recognized as an important element in integrated emergency response. Technical rescue generally includes the following rescue disciplines: confined space rescue, rope rescue, trench/collapse rescue, ice/water rescue, and agricultural and industrial rescue. The intent of these reports is to share information about recent technical rescue incidents with rescuers across the country. The investigation reports, such as this one, provide' detailed information about the magnitude and nature of the incidents themselves; how the response to the incidents was carried out and managed; the impact of these incidents on emergency responders and the emergency response systems in the community; and the lessons learned. The U.S. Fire Administration greatly appreciates the cooperation and information it has received from the fire service, county and state officials, and other emergency responders while preparing these reports.

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2011

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  "Certain venues encourage or permit the public to be in contact with animals, resulting in millions of human-animal interactions each year. These settings include county or state fairs, petting zoos, animal swap meets, pet stores, feed stores, zoologic institutions, circuses, carnivals, educational farms, livestock-birthing exhibits, educational exhibits at schools and child-care facilities, and wildlife photo opportunities. Although human-animal contact has many benefits, human health problems are associated with these settings, including infectious diseases, exposure to rabies, and injuries. Infectious disease outbreaks have been caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella species, Cryptosporidium species, Coxiella burnetii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ringworm, and other pathogens. Such outbreaks have substantial medical, public health, legal, and economic effects. This report provides recommendations for public health officials, veterinarians, animal venue staff members, animal exhibitors, visitors to animal venues, physicians, and others concerned with minimizing risks associated with animals in public settings. The recommendation to wash hands is the most important for reducing the risk for disease transmission associated with animals in public settings. Other important recommendations are that venues prohibit food in animal areas and include transition areas between animal areas and nonanimal areas, visitors receive information about disease risk and prevention procedures, and animals be properly cared for and managed. These updated 2011 guidelines provide new information on the risks associated with amphibians and with animals in day camp settings, as well as the protective role of zoonotic disease education."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2011-05-06
• Transportation Security: Issues for the 109th Congress [July 5, 2006]

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  "The nation's air, land, and marine transportation systems are designed for accessibility and efficiency, two characteristics that make them highly vulnerable to terrorist attack. While hardening the transportation sector from terrorist attack is difficult, measures can be taken to deter terrorists. The dilemma facing Congress is how best to construct and finance a system of deterrence, protection, and response that effectively reduces the possibility and consequences of another terrorist attack without unduly interfering with travel, commerce, and civil liberties. Aviation security has been a major focus of transportation security policy following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of these attacks, the 107th Congress moved quickly to pass the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA; P.L. 107-71) creating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and mandating a federalized workforce of security screeners to inspect airline passengers and their baggage.. The act gave the TSA broad authority to assess vulnerabilities in aviation security and take steps to mitigate these risks. The TSA's progress on aviation security has been the subject of considerable congressional oversight. Funding authorization for the TSA's aviation security functions is set to expire at the end of FY2006. The July 2005 bombing of trains in London and the bombings of commuter trains and subway trains in Madrid and Moscow in 2004 highlighted the vulnerability of passenger rail systems to terrorist attacks. […] This report replaces CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB10135, 'Transportation Security: Issues for the 109th Congress.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Peterman, David Randall

  2006-07-05
• Terrorism Preparedness: Catalog of Selected Federal Assistance Programs [Updated January 6, 2003]

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  "Currently, several agencies administer preparedness programs, among which are the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A number of these programs are scheduled to be transferred to the new Department of Homeland Security. Congress authorizes the programs to provide training, technical assistance, and monetary grants for emergency planning, equipment, and exercises. Most programs focus on helping state and local first responders, including fire service, emergency medical service, and law enforcement, prepare for potential attacks (some observers believe that with the threat of bioterrorism, public health officials should also be considered first responders). This report will be updated to reflect the transfer of programs into the new Department of Homeland Security. It will also be updated as relevant programs are created, modified, or terminated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Canada, Ben

  2003-01-06
• Terrorist Watchlist Checks and Air Passenger Prescreening [Updated September 6, 2006]

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  "Considerable controversy surrounds U.S. air passenger prescreening processes and terrorist watchlist checks. In the past, such controversy centered mainly around diverted international flights and misidentified passengers; however, the recently foiled conspiracy to bomb airliners bound for the United States from the United Kingdom (UK) has raised questions about the adequacy of existing processes to prescreen air passengers against terrorist watchlists. This report examines (1) measures taken in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to improve terrorist watchlists, (2) U.S. agency efforts underway to better screen air passengers against those watchlists prior to departure (preflight), and (3) possible issues associated with maintaining such watchlists and prescreening air passengers, including the misidentification of persons as terrorists as the result of watchlist checks."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.

  2006-09-06