Source: U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;
USA TODAY analysis by Andrew Seaman
WASHINGTON — Nearly half of all "serious" hazardous materials spills on roads, rails, airstrips and waterways go unreported to the government, leaving investigators without data used to identify unsafe carriers and containers, federal records show.
Although the Department of Transportation (DOT) says accurate incident data is critical to ensuring that hazmat carriers operate safely, it rarely uses its authority to penalize haulers that don't file the required reports after spills.
From 2006 through 2008, hazmat carriers failed to report 1,199 "serious" incidents, such as larger spills that cause substantial evacuations, major road closures, serious injuries, or releases of especially dangerous materials. The number of serious incidents that were reported: 1,403.
The DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration began identifying unreported incidents in 2005 using news accounts and logs from emergency response agencies. USA TODAY requested the previously unreleased data .
Hazmat carriers are required to report spills to DOT, and the data "are directly related to the department's ability to ... protect the public from the inherent hazards associated with (hazmat) transportation," the safety administration said in a statement. Besides being used to spot unsafe haulers and containers that are prone to failure, the data also help "identify precursors to potential high consequence incidents."
However, since Jan. 1, 2006, the agency has sanctioned just seven carriers for not reporting serious hazmat spills; four were fined up to $2,750 each.
All other cases were handled with warnings.
"It is (the agency's) responsibility to take some type of enforcement action," said Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., and chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Without accurate data, the agency "cannot put together a strategic plan for reducing hazardous materials transportation incidents, fatalities, and injuries," added Oberstar, who plans to explore the issue at a hearing Thursday.
Smaller hazmat carriers may not know the reporting rules, said Rich Moskowitz, vice president of the American Trucking Associations. "There needs to be better outreach to the industry and if that fails, then ... stepped up enforcement."
Unreported hazardous materials spills
Nearly half of all hazardous materials spilled in transport on U.S. roads, rails, airstrips and waterways are not reported to the government as required by law. The Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration documented nearly 1,200 unreported incidents from 2006 through 2008 using news accounts and logs from emergency response agencies. Here is a list of those unreported incidents:
Here is a link to the web page that allows you to look at a state-by-state listing of the materials spilled.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Economic Impact of 9/11 Much Lower than First Believed
Thursday, 27 August 2009 13:11
Getty Images : Manhattan Street on 9/11
By Larry Kahaner This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , HSO Editor
Despite the psychological and emotional aftereffects of the terrorist attacks on September 11, the US economy appears to have been largely unscathed, according to a collection of eight studies recently published as a volume in a special issue of Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy.
Researchers evaluating the impact on the US economy say that losses ranged on average from $35 billion to $109 billion of gross domestic product, or between .5 percent and 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Previous studies put losses as high $500 billion, or 5 percent of the annual GDP, according to the authors.
Among the key findings:
- The total business interruption losses from the 9/11 attacks on the US economy were $109 billion, or 1 percent of the GDP. The decline in the Gross Regional Product for the New York Metropolitan Area was $14 billion, or 1.2 percent of the economy.
- Looking only at the impact on the World Trade Center, researchers estimated the total physical capital loss to be $26.8 billion and lifetime earnings loss at $9.7 billion.. Wage and salary income for the New York Metro Area was roughly $6 billion (in 2006 dollars) lower than it would have been if the attack hadn't occurred.
- Several authors attempted to separate the individual effects of the recession from the 9/11 attacks. Despite the challenges in doing so, after examining declines in industrial production, they concluded that the national economic impact of 9/11 appears to have been modest and of a short duration. At the regional level, they found the impact was seen more in spurring relocations than in reducing economic activity.
“This is the most comprehensive study to date on the economic impacts of 9/11, and it can be applied towards future planning and preparation in the event of future terrorist attempts,” said Adam Rose, a research professor with the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development and co-editor of the reports.
Rose is also coordinator for Economics with CREATE, which was the first of more than a dozen University Centers of Excellence on Research and Education established by the Department of Homeland Security to provide independent analysis of terrorism and natural disasters. “It shows that Osama bin Laden's policy strategy to damage the US economy was short-lived in its effects due to the resiliency of the US economy.”
Portions of the research had been presented during the North American Regional Science Council Meetings last November in New York City, but the complete report has just been released.
One aspect of the studies that is different from other economic impact studies of 9/11 is the inclusion of resilience as a factor in allowing for the economy to adapt to unusual circumstances. For example, 98 percent of the businesses in the World Trade Center area didn’t fail after the attacks. Instead, they relocated outside of the destroyed zone, primarily in the New York City metropolitan area.
The CREATE study also took into consideration behavioral linkages, which are typically overreactions to a situation that exacerbates the losses. The main example of this is the almost two-year decline in US domestic airline travel as a result of people avoiding planes out of fear of a similar attack.
The costs do not take into consideration some social or environmental costs such as the value of the 3,000 lost lives or medical treatments for diseases such as post-traumatic stress syndrome for emergency workers and family members.
The reports can be download from: http://www.bepress.com/peps/
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The 911 Terrorist Attack Rememberance
Governor Doyle Names Edward Wall Administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management
Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0500
(source: Wisconsin Emergency Management @ http://emergencymangement.wi.gov)
Governor Jim Doyle has named Edward Wall Administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management. Wall has spent his entire professional career working in public emergency services, including more than two decades in law enforcement. Wall earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Management from Excelsior University. "Edward Wall has a distinguished background in law enforcement working at the highest levels of public emergency services," Governor Doyle said. "I am certain he will serve the people of Wisconsin well in his new position."
Wall, 49, previously worked at the Wisconsin Department of Justice as Special Agent in Charge of the Investigative Services Bureau and Senior Special Agent of the Technical Services Unit. Prior to his state service, Wall worked as a state trooper in New Hampshire and as a police officer in Connecticut.
Wall assumes his new duties, Monday, September 14, 2009.
Wisconsin Emergency Management coordinates effective disaster response and recovery efforts in support of local governments. WEM programs include Hazard Mitigation, Warning and Communications, Emergency Police and Fire Services, Disaster Response and Recovery, Hazardous Materials & EPCRA, Radiological Emergency Preparedness, and Exercise and Training for the State of Wisconsin.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Improving a School Emergency Notification System
[Click on the title to access the website source for this article.]
September 4, 2009 by Carol Warner
Posted in: Campus Safety, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Tech News Classes are back in session. But is your school’s emergency notification system ready? Now’s the time to tweak safety notification policies — before an emergency comes up.
The University of Georgia’s (UGA) Security Manager John Newton outlined three common mistakes in using emergency notification systems at the School Safety Advocacy Council’s annual conference in Orlando. He also offered solutions that UGA implemented to make their alert system more effective.
Problem #1: Overusing the system. Students may ignore the system if it’s used too often for non-emergency situations. A true safety warning going unheeded could turn into a tragedy. Quick fix: Use another channel to distribute non-threatening messages, such as group e-mails or PA systems.
Problem #2: Inappropriate message lengths. Outgoing voice mail messages vary in length – especially with cell phones that list options to page the person. If the alert is too short, the voice mail greeting will outlast it, and the intended recipient will never receive the emergency notification. Quick fix: The ideal message should be about 30 seconds.
Problem #3: Different phones have different text message character limits. If some of the alert gets cut off at the end, it may send recipients into a panic. The school may be bombarded with calls from frantic students and parents. Quick fix: Stick to the average limit — 160 characters per text — and direct recipients to further information via another channel, such as the Web site or local TV and radio stations.
How does your school keep its emergency notification system in top-notch shape? Share your tips in the comments section below.
September 4, 2009 by Carol Warner
Posted in: Campus Safety, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Tech News Classes are back in session. But is your school’s emergency notification system ready? Now’s the time to tweak safety notification policies — before an emergency comes up.
The University of Georgia’s (UGA) Security Manager John Newton outlined three common mistakes in using emergency notification systems at the School Safety Advocacy Council’s annual conference in Orlando. He also offered solutions that UGA implemented to make their alert system more effective.
Problem #1: Overusing the system. Students may ignore the system if it’s used too often for non-emergency situations. A true safety warning going unheeded could turn into a tragedy. Quick fix: Use another channel to distribute non-threatening messages, such as group e-mails or PA systems.
Problem #2: Inappropriate message lengths. Outgoing voice mail messages vary in length – especially with cell phones that list options to page the person. If the alert is too short, the voice mail greeting will outlast it, and the intended recipient will never receive the emergency notification. Quick fix: The ideal message should be about 30 seconds.
Problem #3: Different phones have different text message character limits. If some of the alert gets cut off at the end, it may send recipients into a panic. The school may be bombarded with calls from frantic students and parents. Quick fix: Stick to the average limit — 160 characters per text — and direct recipients to further information via another channel, such as the Web site or local TV and radio stations.
How does your school keep its emergency notification system in top-notch shape? Share your tips in the comments section below.
Center for Homeland Defense Essay Contest
[Click on the article title to access the Homeland Defense and Security website]
NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security Announces Third Annual Essay Competition
The Center for Homeland Defense and Security (www.chds.us) is seeking entries for its Third Annual Essay Competition. The competition carries a $1,500 prize for the winning entry and the writer will be invited to the Center’s campus for its annual Forum. This competition strives to stimulate original thought and analysis on issues in Homeland Security and Homeland Defense. The competition is open to anyone with an interest in homeland security issues.
The criteria for the essay and its submission are:
Statement of Purpose:
According to the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the objectives of homeland security are to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. The purpose of this competition is to promote innovative thinking that addresses these objectives.
Essay question:
How can, or should, the United States make homeland security a more layered, networked, and resilient endeavor involving all citizens?
Responses may be general or may focus on a specific aspect (organizational, policy, strategy, practice, technological innovation, social impact, etc.) or discipline/field, such as emergency management, public health, law enforcement, critical infrastructure or intelligence. The essay may also be written from any perspective — e.g. government, private sector, cultural, local community or citizen.
Who may enter:
Anyone interested in homeland security issues. Individuals associated with CHDS past and present are not eligible.
Competition Guidelines:
The essay should be no more than five pages, single spaced, 12-point type and in Word or PDF format. Do not include author’s name on the essay. Entries will be submitted via webpage instructions. Deadline for submission: January 31, 2010.
Notification:
The winner and finalists will be announced no later than May 31, 2010.
Criteria:
Essays are judged according to the relevance of the response to the question, innovation of ideas, strength of the argument and quality of the writing.
Award:
The winner will receive a $1,500 cash award and will be invited to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he or she will be recognized at the CHDS Forum.
Last year’s winning entry was titled “Emergency Response, Public Health and Poison Control: Logical Linkages for Successful Risk Communication and Improved Disaster and Mass Incident Response” and authored by Valerie Yeager, research assistant and writer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness. The essay was the top essay out of 147 entries.
The winning essay for the first year of the contest was titled “Reducing the Risk” by Matthew Allen, a staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. This essay was chosen out of 80 entries.
For contest information and to enter, visit www.chds.us/?essay/overview.
About CHDS:
Established in 2002 on the campus of the 100-year-old Naval Postgraduate School, the Center seeks to educate homeland security leaders in strategic thinking and leadership from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The Center’s master’s degree program graduates 90 senior officials every year and is noted for offering the nation’s first master’s degree in homeland security. The Mobile Education Team (MET) travels around the country and has conducted more than 100 seminars for governors, mayors and their homeland security teams. More than 3,000 senior officials have participated in the MET program since its inception. The Center’s Executive Leaders Program draws leaders from government and private industry to provide an educational forum to enhance senior leaders’ capacity to identify and resolve homeland security problems. For information, visit www.chds.us.
About NPS:
The mission of the Naval Postgraduate School is to provide unique advanced education and research programs in order to increase the combat effectiveness of the U.S. and Allied armed forces as well as enhance the security of the United States. For information, see www.nps.edu.
For information, contact:
Heather Issvoran
Director, Strategic Communications
(831) 402-4672
Email: hissvora@nps.edu
NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security Announces Third Annual Essay Competition
The Center for Homeland Defense and Security (www.chds.us) is seeking entries for its Third Annual Essay Competition. The competition carries a $1,500 prize for the winning entry and the writer will be invited to the Center’s campus for its annual Forum. This competition strives to stimulate original thought and analysis on issues in Homeland Security and Homeland Defense. The competition is open to anyone with an interest in homeland security issues.
The criteria for the essay and its submission are:
Statement of Purpose:
According to the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the objectives of homeland security are to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. The purpose of this competition is to promote innovative thinking that addresses these objectives.
Essay question:
How can, or should, the United States make homeland security a more layered, networked, and resilient endeavor involving all citizens?
Responses may be general or may focus on a specific aspect (organizational, policy, strategy, practice, technological innovation, social impact, etc.) or discipline/field, such as emergency management, public health, law enforcement, critical infrastructure or intelligence. The essay may also be written from any perspective — e.g. government, private sector, cultural, local community or citizen.
Who may enter:
Anyone interested in homeland security issues. Individuals associated with CHDS past and present are not eligible.
Competition Guidelines:
The essay should be no more than five pages, single spaced, 12-point type and in Word or PDF format. Do not include author’s name on the essay. Entries will be submitted via webpage instructions. Deadline for submission: January 31, 2010.
Notification:
The winner and finalists will be announced no later than May 31, 2010.
Criteria:
Essays are judged according to the relevance of the response to the question, innovation of ideas, strength of the argument and quality of the writing.
Award:
The winner will receive a $1,500 cash award and will be invited to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he or she will be recognized at the CHDS Forum.
Last year’s winning entry was titled “Emergency Response, Public Health and Poison Control: Logical Linkages for Successful Risk Communication and Improved Disaster and Mass Incident Response” and authored by Valerie Yeager, research assistant and writer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness. The essay was the top essay out of 147 entries.
The winning essay for the first year of the contest was titled “Reducing the Risk” by Matthew Allen, a staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. This essay was chosen out of 80 entries.
For contest information and to enter, visit www.chds.us/?essay/overview.
About CHDS:
Established in 2002 on the campus of the 100-year-old Naval Postgraduate School, the Center seeks to educate homeland security leaders in strategic thinking and leadership from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The Center’s master’s degree program graduates 90 senior officials every year and is noted for offering the nation’s first master’s degree in homeland security. The Mobile Education Team (MET) travels around the country and has conducted more than 100 seminars for governors, mayors and their homeland security teams. More than 3,000 senior officials have participated in the MET program since its inception. The Center’s Executive Leaders Program draws leaders from government and private industry to provide an educational forum to enhance senior leaders’ capacity to identify and resolve homeland security problems. For information, visit www.chds.us.
About NPS:
The mission of the Naval Postgraduate School is to provide unique advanced education and research programs in order to increase the combat effectiveness of the U.S. and Allied armed forces as well as enhance the security of the United States. For information, see www.nps.edu.
For information, contact:
Heather Issvoran
Director, Strategic Communications
(831) 402-4672
Email: hissvora@nps.edu
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Are You Ready Wisconsin?
September is Preparedness Month Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0500
Contact: Lori Getter Crisis Communications Manager Office: 608-242-3239 or Fax: 608-242-3247
News: Are You Ready Wisconsin? September is Preparedness Month September 2, 2009
Are you Ready Wisconsin? Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed September as Wisconsin Preparedness Month, an annual campaign to remind citizens to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. The statewide campaign is spearheaded by ReadyWisconsin and the Wisconsin Homeland Security Council, and encourages organizations and individuals to promote emergency preparedness messages:
Are you Ready Wisconsin? Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed September as Wisconsin Preparedness Month, an annual campaign to remind citizens to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. The statewide campaign is spearheaded by ReadyWisconsin and the Wisconsin Homeland Security Council, and encourages organizations and individuals to promote emergency preparedness messages:
- Get A Kit (Of emergency supplies for your home, car and workplace)
- Make A Plan (To communicate with and locate your loved ones during an emergency)
- Stay Informed (About the types of emergencies that occur and the safety measures you should take)
"Preparedness Month is a great opportunity for schools, businesses, and families to get ready - whether it is a flood event, chemical spill, cyber-terrorism, or an outbreak of the flu," said Brig. Gen. Donald Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wisconsin and also the governor's homeland security advisor. "Now is the time to put a disaster kit together, discuss with your family and friends were you would go in an emergency, and learn about safety measures you should take."
There are many exciting events planned across the state this September:
September 3: Appleton Timber Rattlers promotion
September 7: Milwaukee Brewers promotion
September 12: WI Humane Society Open House
September 13: Metropolitan Builders Association Parade of Homes Safety Day
September 5, 12, 18 & 19: Dane County Farmers' Market
September 20: UW Veterinary College Dog Jog
All of September: Menards - home emergency supply kits on display at 40 Menards' locations across the state In addition, the Annual Homeland Security Report will be released later this month. The report highlights state and local governments' efforts in improving Wisconsin's preparedness. Numerous other events are planned all throughout Wisconsin for September Preparedness Month. Go to https://webmail.gotoltc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click%26enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTU2NjUwMiZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC01NjY1MDImZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NTYzNjQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9am9obi5oYW5zb25AZ290b2x0Yy5lZHUmdXNlcmlkPWpvaG4uaGFuc29uQGdvdG9sdGMuZWR1JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==%26%26%26101%26%26%26http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov/ to view further information on varying events throughout September.
For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3239.
Full story and video available at: https://webmail.gotoltc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click%26enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTU2NjUwMiZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC01NjY1MDImZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NTYzNjQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9am9obi5oYW5zb25AZ290b2x0Yy5lZHUmdXNlcmlkPWpvaG4uaGFuc29uQGdvdG9sdGMuZWR1JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==%26%26%26102%26%26%26http://dma.wi.gov/dma/news/2009News/09097.asp
Note: this is the first of a series of news and videos features that will be released this month to educate Wisconsin on preparedness. Current News Releases and Media Galleries are available at: https://webmail.gotoltc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click%26enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTU2NjUwMiZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC01NjY1MDImZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NTYzNjQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9am9obi5oYW5zb25AZ290b2x0Yy5lZHUmdXNlcmlkPWpvaG4uaGFuc29uQGdvdG9sdGMuZWR1JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==%26%26%26103%26%26%26http://dma.wi.gov Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber PreferencesPage https://webmail.gotoltc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click%26enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTU2NjUwMiZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC01NjY1MDImZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NTYzNjQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9am9obi5oYW5zb25AZ290b2x0Yy5lZHUmdXNlcmlkPWpvaG4uaGFuc29uQGdvdG9sdGMuZWR1JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==%26%26%26105%26%26%26https://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=WIDMA. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com.
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