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Public Alerts now on Google Maps

Yesterday Google launched the new Google Crisis Response project: Google Public Alerts, a platform designed to bring you relevant emergency alerts when and where you’re searching for them. 

See full article: http://blog.google.org/2012/01/public-alerts-now-on-google-maps.html

Flooding application released for North Dakota flood utilizing Google Maps

Just released from Minot State University: http://www.mouseriverflood2011.net/index.php

Robots assist rescuers in Japan

Two teams and their robots were actually in the U.S. when disaster struck. They were at "Disaster City," at Texas A&M University. "Disaster City" hosted American and Japanese researchers that jointly tested their bots using a mock-up terrain that simulates the same kind of environment that researchers will find on the battered eastern coast of Japan.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/14/japans-best-robots-to-help-with-rescue-effort/#ixzz1Gc0xRiFo

First responders train for disaster in Disaster City

Emergency workers from around the world receive training in Disaster City, a Texas ghost town made up of derelict buildings, wreckage, and debris; they learn how to deal with major fires, earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks. George Bennett, the inventor of Disaster City, says that as far as floods, hurricanes, fires, and the like are concerned, rescue teams are usually well prepared nowadays. "But when it comes to terrorism, to exploding buildings, massive pieces of concrete and steel wreckage and massive numbers of victims -- how do you prepare people for something like that? --- Our emergency responders are being asked to do more and more, and before Disaster City there was no place that offered the possibility of training them for that"

Full article: http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/first-responders-train-disaster-disaster-city

Emergency Alert System in Morris County, N.J., to Link 39 Cities via Social Media

In March, a powerful storm pummeled New Jersey, forcing police, utility and emergency crews to scramble as the severe weather sapped power, delayed trains and triggered floods. But publicly available information about the storm’s effects was scarce, and citizens searching for updates were left high and dry.

To avert such communication failures in the future, Morris County, N.J., has activated a shared emergency information network, using social media tools — Facebook and Twitter — to deliver crucial updates around the clock.

This is a great example of leveraging technology to provide widespread distribution of information!

See the entire article at: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/safety/Emergency-Alert-System-Social-Media.html

Cape Verde Tropical Storm Watch?

For the first time in history a tropical storm watch was issued for the Cape Verde Islands.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT1.shtml

 

Text first, talk second

Safe America created the Text First. Talk Second. to raise public awareness around the importance of utilizing text messaging for non-emergency communications during a disaster.

When disasters strike, voice networks can become congested with people trying to call each other for non-vital communications.  This can result in people in desperate need of help being unable to contact those they need to reach, such as emergency services, friends or loved ones.  In some instances, this may also result in emergency service personnel being unable to communicate with each other.

Here is what you can do: http://www.safeamericaprepared.org/component/content/article/89.html

Widgets, Twitter to fuel FEMA emergency alerts

Social media strategy aims to disseminate disaster preparedness, response messages in near-real time.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced a new widget for disaster preparedness on its  Facebook page page as part of a series of releases to publicize its social media and Gov 2.0 tools for emergency readiness and response.

Full article at: http://gcn.com/articles/2010/06/23/fema-pushes-widgets-twitter-for-disaster-preparedness.aspx

InfraGard Houston President testifies at TX House of Representatives Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness about the ER-ITN system

Bob Janusaitis the current InfraGard Houston president testified at a hearing about the ER-ITN system for re-entry of critical infrastructure personnel after a crisis.  The system being implemented by the Pegasus Program was extensively tested by several Gulf Coast InfraGard chapters, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. 

Link to full InfraGard Houston blog article

Secretary Napolitano Announces New Standards for Private Sector Preparedness

Washington, D.C.—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the adoption of the final standards for the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep)—a major milestone in DHS' implementation of a program recommended by the 9/11 Commission to improve private sector preparedness for disasters and emergencies.

PS-Prep site: http://www.fema.gov/privatesector/preparedness/index.htm