General Protection against Terrorist Attacks with Homemade Explosives Originally published on HomeLand Security Terrorist attacks often feature the use of homemade explosives. For the police and security forces to be able to take appropriate precautions and assess the damage after an attack, they need access to the right kind of tools. Researchers have now developed a sophisticated risk-analysis system to help prevent such […] Written by Kevin Cresswell August 5, 2020August 5, 2020
General Why Beirut’s explosion was years in the making Originally published on The Telegraph It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where it all went wrong for Lebanon. The country – described in better times variously as the Paris of the Middle East for its exuberant glamour and the Switzerland of the region for its exemplary banking sector – had looked to be thriving in recent […] Written by Kevin Cresswell August 5, 2020August 5, 2020
General A guide to the four levels of Hazardous Materials (HazMat) response Originally published on HazmatMag Hazardous materials that are mishandled, incorrectly transported or used with malicious intent, can pose a substantial risk to human health and the environment. How effectively hazardous materials (HazMat) incidents are managed and resolved hinges on the knowledge, training and skill of those charged with response. In this article we examine the […] Written by Kevin Cresswell August 1, 2020August 3, 2020
General USAF analysts conduct vapour purge test on cargo plane Originally published on AIR FORCE TECHNOLOGY US Air Force (USAF) 711th Human Performance Wing’s chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) analysts from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, have conducted the first vapour purge test on a cargo aircraft at the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. Vapour purge tests were conducted to […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 31, 2020July 31, 2020
General The problem with bright red and white in fire station design Originally published on Firechief Research reveals the impact of commonly used station colors on firefighter mental health and stress. Physical health and safety have moved to the forefront of fire station design, but little design consideration has been focused on the mental well-being of the first responders living and working inside. The architectural design of […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 30, 2020August 3, 2020
General The UK have been Blot, Bang, Rubbing….for years! To generations of British ‘squaddies’ the instructions ‘blot, bang, rub’ will be ingrained into their psyche. Part of their personal decontamination sets, every soldier was issued with a ‘Decontamination Kit, Personal’ (DKP), stored in a paper wallet that folded up into a little packet about 2”x3”: Inside are four individual white packets: Each packet contained […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 29, 2020July 29, 2020
General 10 Practical Tips for Responding and Operating on Roadway and Highway Incidents Originally published on IAFC Roadway emergency operations are the #1 traumatic risk firefighters and EMS responders face. Here’s how to minimize the risk: Dispatch the Appropriate ApparatusMake sure your response protocols establish ahead of time what fire apparatus will respond to highway incidents. Many fire departments send units to address the emergency as well as […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 28, 2020July 28, 2020
General MIT Researchers Design A New Reusable Face Mask Originally published on Healthunits In a new development, scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston have developed a silicone mask that can be reused without fear of contamination. These findings were shared in a study in The British Medical Journal (BMJ). The mask, called the iMASC, is still a prototype and scientists […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 26, 2020July 28, 2020
General Preparing State and Local Leaders for an Explosive Attack Originally published on HS Today Explosives are a popular choice among terrorists for causing disruption, casualties and destruction. Although chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons may cause much more damage, explosives can still be the first choice because they are relatively easy to make, transport and use. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and […] Written by Kevin Cresswell July 25, 2020July 26, 2020
