DISASTER COMMUNICATION: Bringing First Responder Communications Into the 21st Century

Posted: 7/21/11 11:44 AM ET

photo courtesy apfn.org

New Yorkers know better than anyone the constant threat that our country faces. As we've seen time and again, New York continues to be the number one target for terrorists around the world who want to harm Americans.

That's why, as the Senator from New York, I am extremely concerned that we not forget the lessons of 9/11.

One important lesson we learned on that horrific day was how crucial it is that our first responders can communicate in real time between agencies in a time of emergency. We have the best firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and public safety professionals in the world, yet currently they communicate on different frequencies and with different systems -- creating barriers to providing a coordinated and efficient response during a crisis.

DISASTER COMMUNICATION: Call for Public Safety Wireless Network

Published: July 20, 2011 at 5:44 PM
By ROBERT SPOERL, MEDILL NEWS SERVICE, Written for UP

WASHINGTON, July 20 (UPI) -- A bipartisan coalition of U.S. politicians urged that the auction of wireless spectrum be used to, in part, fund a public safety wireless network for first responders, which has been stalled since the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D. N.Y., said Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol that the plan would save lives and make emergency response more efficient without costing taxpayers money.

"To get this kind of help for our first responders without it costing the taxpayers a dime is a great accomplishment," Schumer said.

"The 9/11 Commission Report," released in 2004, called for a public safety communication network. First responders had difficulty communicating in the chaos after the attacks, chiefly because various departments were on different radios and networks.

Some telecommunications companies have spectrum they don't use. Part of the bill would establish a means to persuade broadcasters and companies to return spectrum to the government. The Federal Communications Commission would have an "incentive auction" selling extra spectrum. Proceeds from that auction would go toward creating the public safety network.

FREE FOG > National Interoperability Field Operations Guide

New content:

• VTAC Repeater Channels
• U.S. Department of Justice 25 Cities Project
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regions - States and Territories
• U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers
• Cellular Telephone Emergency Response
• Text Messaging
• Line-of-sight Formulas

Updated content:

• VHF low-band interoperability repeaters and channel names
• All channel tables list frequencies in the same order as ICS-205 and ICS-217 forms
• An improved map showing where channel VTAC17 may be used, with county names
• 700 MHz Interoperability Channels – frequencies have been added to the table
• UHF MED channels – 12.5 and 6.25 channels added
• RJ-45 wiring – crossover wiring added
• VHF Marine Channel and Frequency tables
• Revised answer to the question "Don't I need a license for these channels before programming them into radios?"
• Revised "Ground to Air working channel" in the table "Federal/Non-Federal VHF SAR Operations Interoperability Plan"

TECHNOLOGY > New Android facial biometric app available

New Android facial biometric app available
Published 5 July 2011

A new app for Android smartphones allows users to secure their phones using facial biometrics; the Visidon Applock application, which is currently available for free, locks a user’s apps until their identity is verified using facial biometrics

A new app for Android smartphones allows users to secure their phones using facial biometrics.

The Visidon Applock application, which is currently available for free,locks a user’s apps until their identity is verified using facial biometrics.

The app requires phones or tablets to have the Android 2.3 operating system or higher as well as a front-facing camera. Visidon is currently working on a version that can be used for phones without front-facing cameras.

In the event that the facial recognition does not function properly or results in a false negative, users have the ability to punch in a password to override the system.

The TalkAndroid newswire says that the app is something users should keep an eye on as it will continue to be refined.  For more

Emergency Alert System Expanding > Targeted cell phone emergency alerts unveiled in New York City

Great article if you haven't already seen it on TV.  NYC and DC will be test platforms soon. 

The Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN) is a free service offered voluntarily by wireless carriers that will allow customers with specially equipped mobile devices to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them to imminent safety threats in their area. Cell phones have to be equipped to receive the messages that will come in three versions: Presidential Alerts, alerts involving imminent threats to safety of life; and Amber Alerts. Carriers can opt out of offering the last two, but must carry the presidential alerts, the spokeswoman said.

Free Courses > CDC Public Health

Several free Public Health courses

E-learning encompasses interactive instruction delivered through a computer by way of the Internet, intranet, compact disc, or other digital media designed to support specific learning objectives.

The following e-learning products are featured. They have been reviewed by CDC staff and met the following specific selection criteria:

• Instructional design and usability best practices manifested through sound learning objectives, use of media, interactivity, and technical operation
• Accurate content, aligned with CDC recommendations and policy
• Compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Available at no cost

Featured E-learning Products by Title

• BioterroRisk
• Chronic Disease Series — Nutrition and Health
• Chronic Disease Series — Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health
• Chronic Disease Series — Obesity Prevention in Children
• Dating Matters: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention
• Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals
• Hemochromatosis: What Every Clinician And Health Care Professional Needs To Know
• IS-100.b: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200.B: ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700.A: National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
• IS-800.B: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Preparedness and Community Response to Pandemics
• Ready, Set, Surge! Fundamentals of Responding to a Public Health Emergency at U.S. Ports of Entry
• Smoking Cessation Clinical Intervention Tutorial
• Social Marketing for Nutrition and Physical Activity
• STD Self Study Modules: Chlamydia
• STD Self Study Modules: Gonorrhea
• STD Self Study Modules: Herpes
• STD Self Study Modules: HPV
• STD Self Study Modules: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• STD Self Study Modules: Syphilis
• STD Self Study Modules: Vaginitis 

Communications > DHS funds interoperable border communications projects

Sister article to the 700 Mhz posting I just posted.  2 mins read. read more