Almost a year ago, on April 15, 2013, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon, killing 3 and wounding more than 200 people. Almost immediately after the IEDs detonated, the story began to unfold on every social media network. Social media, although...
When Aaron Alexis entered building 197 on the Washington Navy Yard and killed 12 people, families and authorities needed answers to address how such a tragedy could take place. A new report aims to point the blame for the event on a defective security clearance process. The report, “Slipping Through...
The term ‘first responder’ has been used to describe a number of individuals, from firefighters to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) personnel. However, with the introduction of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, a working definition needs to be agreed upon between federal and state...
In February 2013, the American Psychological Association (APA) commissioned a panel of experts to conduct research and analysis on gun violence in the United States. The panel’s research culminated this week in a final APA report: “Gun Violence: Prediction, Prevention, and Policy.” The report seeks to “convey research-based conclusions and...
This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The program’s goal is to bring awareness about safety while exploring the vast and sometimes risky internet. Cyber safety is a constantly changing issue, and with the introduction of internet-friendly mobile phones, tablets, and even gaming systems, risks...
Following the tragedy of the Yarnell Hill wildfire in June 2013, the Prescott Fire Department released last week the final investigation report of the incident. The fire broke out on June 28 in Yarnell, Arizona and escalated due to thunderstorms and shifting winds over the course of two days. A...
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a report called “The Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Tsunami Scenario”. This report depicts a potential tsunami created by an earthquake offshore from the Alaska Peninsula and how it might impact the coast of California. According to the report, “[t]he tsunami scenario...
The Vera Institute of Justice has published a report titled, Coming of Age with Stop and Frisk: Experiences, Perceptions, and Public Safety Implications. The report contains the results of a study launched in 2011 which examined the question: “How does being stopped by police, and the frequency of those stops,...
A new report by the American Security Project has found that the United States is ill-prepared to deal with natural disasters, especially as they relate to coastal flooding. The report, called “Climate Change: Coastal Flood Threat”, uses the Netherland’s flood management plans, which are cited as some of the most...
The Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has released updated versions of their mobile apps for mobile platforms and has included updates to their full site. The mobile app, called Mobile REMM, provides guidance for health care providers as well as evidence-based, usable radiation...
