U.S. troops are falling to heatstroke as the military struggles to balance training with rising temperatures.
Rising temperatures from climate change pose a threat to military personnel, both at home and abroad. There have been a total of 11,452 heat injury incidents reported U.S. Armed Forces Military bases from 2014-2018. And since 2008, according to the Pentagon, at least 17 troops have died due to of heat exposure during training exercises… Read more »
Dry Decontamination is an Important Step in Chemical Decontamination
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing evidence in a peer-reviewed study, has added a new step to its decontamination guidance for chemical incidents. It calls for exposed people to first wipe themselves off with dry, absorbent materials, such as towels or washcloths before they pass through a water spray. “Disrobing and dry… Read more »
Congo’s Ebola Epidemic Is Declared a Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organization has declared the Congo’s Ebola Epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The committee sited recent developments where the first confirmed Ebola case occurred in Goma, a heavily populated provincial capital in the Democratic Republic of Congo with an airport with international flights. It is the second-largest Ebola… Read more »
US Ability to Manage Health Emergencies Rises. State Regional Inequities in Preparedness Persist.
The 2019 National Healthcare Security Index has been released. The scores indicate the ability to protect the health security of Americans from incidents like newly emerging infectious diseases, terrorism, and extreme weather conditions at the state and national levels. Healthcare emergency preparedness in the United States has improved significantly over the past six years according… Read more »
The DQE Slyde Evacuation Sled, a Reliable and Cost-Effective Solution for Non-Ambulatory Building Evacuation
DQE has announced the acquisition of the Slyde Evacuation Sled, an innovative expansion of its emergency evacuation product line. In the event of fires, natural disasters, attacks or other emergencies, moving injured or immobilized individuals can be a challenge. The DQE Slyde Evacuation Sled offers an easy to use, cost-effective and reliable solution to evacuate non-ambulatory occupants from any multi-story building. This exciting evacuation transportation device is a perfect fit with DQE’s philosophy of bringing high-quality, practical, and affordable equipment to the healthcare and emergency response community.
DQE Introduces a New Line of Firefighter Health and Wellness Products
DQE’s Firefighter Health & Wellness line of products is based on the latest research related to firefighter cancer prevention. Research demonstrates that chronic exposure to heat, smoke, and toxic flame retardants through inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption place firefighters at increased risk of cancer. DQE’s Firefighter Health & Wellness line contains products that reflect the best practices for reducing exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens through Zone Establishment, Gross Carcinogen Decontamination (PPE and Skin), and Post-Decontamination.
Building Cultures of Preparedness
Efforts over the last two decades to prepare communities for disasters have failed and new methodologies need to be developed, according to research by FEMA’s Higher Education Program. The FEMA Higher Education National Emergency Training Center Building Preparedness report highlights the vast diversity of American communities and households, indicating that a one-size-fits-all strategy is not… Read more »
Nearly 254 Pounds of Deadly Synthetic Opioid Captured in US Border Agency’s Largest-Ever Fentanyl Bust
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Thursday their biggest fentanyl bust ever, saying they captured nearly 254 pounds (114 kilograms) of the deadly synthetic opioid from a secret compartment inside a load of Mexican produce heading into Arizona. The drug was found hidden Saturday morning in a compartment under the rear floor of a tractor-trailer after a scan during secondary inspection indicated “some anomalies” in the load, and the agency’s police dog team alerted officers to the presence of drugs, Nogales CBP Port Director Michael Humphries said.
WHO expert: Ebola outbreak to continue at least 6 more months
“This is the most complicated setting we’ve ever experienced in order to stop an Ebola outbreak,” said Peter Salama, WHO deputy director-general for emergency preparedness and response. “At a minimum, it will take six further months to stop.”
Resources to Educate & Prepare Responders for Fourth Generation Chemical Agents
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has published resources on fourth generation agents. These resources include: Safety Awareness for First On-Scene Responders Bulletin, Reference Guide for HazMat Response Teams, and Medical Management Guidelines.
