FREE TRAINING > Anhydrous Ammonia Training

This is the best training I have ever seen on anhydrous ammonia.  Please pass along to all your emergency responder buddies and who ever else might benefit from this great training!  

Photo courtesy of:  http://transcaer.com

Below is the list of contents.  Go to course page

1. Introduction
2. How To Use This Training Package
3. Student Handbook
4. Properties
5. Transports
6. Railcars
7. Emergency Response
8. Additional Materials
9. Sponsors & Partners
10. Conclusion

WEBINAR 19JUL2011 > Preparing For the Unexpected: The Trigger Events for Systemic Failure

Preparing For the Unexpected: The Trigger Events for Systemic Failure

Join us for a Webinar on July 19

This topic outlines the situation, complications and solutions to help leaders ensure the continuity of business operations in the face of unprecedented risks. The hypothesis is that a convergence of many long wave cycles is increasing the probability and impact of large scale disasters such as the incident in Japan. Surviving and thriving amidst these threats requires an enterprise resiliency plan that encompasses all internal functions, suppliers, and enterprise eco-system touch points. Are you prepared?

Twitter, Facebook, and Ten Red Balloons: Social Network Problem Solving and Homeland Security

Results of a Social Media type contest, with national security implications, great read, 15 mins read.

image coutesy of:  www.psfk.com

On December 6, 2009, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) held a competition designed to, in their words, “explore the role the Internet and social networking plays in the timely communication, wide area team-building and urgent mobilization required to solve broad scope, time-critical problems.” ¹ The competition required participating teams/individuals to find “10 8-foot balloons moored at 10 fixed locations in the continental United States.” ² Just before the competition opened, the balloons were surreptitiously floated at random locations in nine states, including: California, Tennessee, Florida, Delaware, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Oregon, and Georgia. 

Tornadoes > South's 'super tornado' outbreak may be worst ever in US history

Makes one curious as to Gaia's intentions...
"Storm forensics experts have begun to put into historical perspective the massive twister outbreak that hit Alabama and six other Southern states. The Tuscaloosa twister alone may register as the most powerful long-track tornado in US history."-csmonitor.com

Brooke Carbo helps a friend pack up what's left of her Alberta City, Alabama, apartment which stood right in the path of the deadly storm which hit the southern region of the United States. A string of powerful tornadoes caused massive devastation, killing at least 350 people.

Newscom

Disaster Recovery > Government moves quickly to help storm victims in South

Good article on tornadoes that struck southern states, worst natural disaster to hit US since Hurricane Katrina, written by Homeland Security Newswire, 2 mins read -Read more

An all-too-common scene across the U.S. south // Source: findtarget.com

So far residents have been fairly pleased with the government's response to the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina; after tornadoes touched down in seven states on Wednesday, Secretary Napolitano and other top federal officials immediately began contacting governors in the affected states; just hours after the storms had ravaged Alabama, Obama signed the declaration of disaster in Alabama and by Thursday he had done the same for Georgia and Mississippi; by Friday afternoon FEMA liaison officers had been deployed to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; the storms have killed at least 350 people, injured more than 2,200, and left tens of thousands homeless in seven states

Video > Japan Earthquake 2011 Liquefaction Damage

Good article on liquefaction type earthquakes.  There are a few silver linings in the clouds above Japan...the Video is 9:27 and is visually powerful.

Video > SDF in the News - State Defense Forces Part 4

Video > SDF in the News - State Defense Forces Part 3

Video > SDF in the News - State Defense Forces Part 2

Video > SDF in the News - State Defense Forces Part 1

FREE Course > Crisis Emergency Risk Communication

CDC just put this out. I am a huge proponent of Risk Communication. CDC's Training website, is hard to navigate thru.  You have to register first.  So pick a user ID and Password, then proceed.  You have to muddle thru it unfortunately.  But it is worth it.  This is a great course.

CERC Online (Web-Based)
Course Number: WB1138

This course will cover the fundamentals of Crisis Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). It is the online version of the classroom course. It contains downloadable job aids and the manual used in the classroom. It includes the video clips used to enhance learning in the classroom and the opportunity to practice the concepts online.
Course Link

TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is open to everyone although it was designed for CDC staff and the public health community. It will be particularly valuable to those people charged with the crisis and emergency risk communication.

MATERIALS: For additional information, contact the CDC Office of Enterprise Communication at either email CERCinfocdc.gov or CERCrequestcdc.gov.

CE Expiration Date: 1/15/2013

Video > Social Media saves a city: Japanese City’s Cry Resonates Around the World

Mayor of Minamisoma, Japan
posts a plea
 for assistance on youtube!!
News article...