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Emergency Management: news and solutions about emergency planning, response and disaster recovery

Emergency Management May 2008

Coordinated Communications Eases Impact of Midwest Storms

By Jim McKay

Weather system shows no mercy on residents and strains emergency managers.

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Feature

Fusion Centers May Strengthen Emergency Management
By Blake Harris

All-hazards focus by fusion centers improves emergency operations.

Regional Response Demands Joint Command and Control
By Eric E. Holdeman

Only willing partners coming to the table, treated as equals, will prove effective in establishing a national standard for incident response.

911 Systems Upgrade to Accept Text Messages and Video
By David Raths

IP-based networks help call centers move beyond voice communications.

Incident Management Team Helps Hospitals Respond to Disasters
By Greg Santa Maria

South Dakota hospital system creates team of experts to deploy at affected locations.

Education: Emergency Management and Homeland Security Aren't the Same
By Bob Jaffin

Degree programs have similarities, but the fields are fundamentally different.

Mapping Tool Helps Coordinate Emergency Resources at G8 Summit
By Chandler Harris

Battlefield Visualization System proves valuable for emergency planning.

Perspectives

Perpetuating Preparedness
By Jim McKay
Funding: Answers to Common Grant Questions
By Julian Gilman

FEMA official discusses regionalization, rural issues and more.

Fusion Centers Face Staffing and Data Sharing Hurdles
By Eric E. Holdeman

Interest in all-hazards analysis at fusion centers is encouraging.

Rebounding

Recovery: Area Struck by 2004 Hurricane Improves Drainage
By Adam Stone

Hurricane Gaston's devastation drives $20 million project in Virginia.

Major Player

Port Security is Focus for Los Angeles Councilman
By Jessica Jones

Tony Cardenas seeks funding for port security enhancements.

Last Word

DHS Promotes Open Geospatial Data Standards
By Sam Bacharach

XML-based GIS standards help responders share information.

Bulletin

Hurricane Center Works with Google on Storm Surge Warning
By Jim McKay

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Dispatch Operations and
Interoperability Survey

Geographic terrain, an overloaded infrastructure and outdated technologies put into question a jurisdiction's level of optimal interoperability in an emergency situation. Emergency Management would like to understand the problem as it relates to dispatch centers ability to communicate with first responders effectively. Click Here to take the survey

Dispatch Operations and Interoperability

Case Study - Morris County, New Jersey The Morris County Communications Center upgraded to a new trunked radio system with the benefits of a cellular network, extending coverage beyond county lines


Case Study - Iredell County, North Carolina Spanning over 570 sq miles, it became imperative that the Iredell County Emergency Communications, Operations and Management extend it's communications systems to enhance reliability, security, and coverage.


Case Study - City of Anaheim, California The City of Anaheim saw an opportunity to leverage existing GST and partner with nearby cities to enhance safety operations through data interoperability.


Case Study - Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Department Taking advantage of a range of interoperability solution, the Charlottesville Fire Department has achieved a network that can serve as backup to their existing public safety network.


Optimal Interoperability Until recently it was not possible to cost effectively connect commercial networks to LMR systems. Improvements in communications technology have resulted in greatly enhanced operational capability and have reduced the log-term cost of communications system ownership.


Sprint ERT Go-Kit with GST Optima Rapid, interoperable communications for emergencies, drills and field exercises.


Video


DHS Grant Links

DHS Grants and Assistance Programs Link to overview of available grants administered by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)


Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants Major changes in funding and focus for 2008 DHS grant programs


Remarks on 2008 Homeland Security Grant Guidance DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison


DHS FY 2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities An overview, released May 16, 2008.


2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities Funding Awarded by the DHS


Funding Resources for Your Community's Communications Project


Yes! I would like more information about Sprint's dispatch operations and interoperability solutions.