Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Curriculum Development Conference Report
The needs of children have long been known to fall by the wayside during disaster, and one of the highest consequence areas is that of emergency medicine. Earlier this year, the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health held a conference to begin discussing how medical responders can better care for children in disasters. This report summarizes the intent and results of that conference, including recommendations for the creation of a competency based, role-specific disaster preparedness education and training program for pediatric providers.
Pew Center on Global Climate Change’s Extreme Weather
If the world is warming, why is it so cold in the winter? These and other pesky climate questions can now be answered with the help of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change's Extreme Weather site. The preponderance of misinformation led Pew to compile resources, including articles, reports, and mapping applications, giving clear answers to lay inquiries on how climate change affects the weather.
ABA Initiatives on Disaster Preparedness and Response Teleconference Series
The American Bar Association’s Disaster Initiative is offering a series of teleconferences looking at legal issues that stem from disasters. The free series features 10 topics between now and September 19, including K-9s and mass disaster, disaster employment issues, and World Trade Center litigation.
Presidential Policy Directive 8
Those anxiously waiting to see how President Obama’s national preparedness directive pans out can keep up with the show at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s PPD-8 website. The site will allow you to read up on the directive, keep track of deadlines, and learn how you can contribute and comment during the process. The National Preparedness Goal is due to be submitted to the White House on September 25, so stop by soon.
Urban Areas Security Initiative Blog
Looking to stay ahead of trends in emergency management and homeland security? The new Urban Areas Security Initiative blog has a lot of what you’d expect and much more. Along with typical UASI blog topics, visitors will find news, resources, info on grants and funding, training and exercise drills, and a great section on social media in emergency management.
University Housing Fires (2007-2009)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has just released the latest in its Topical Fire Report series. University Housing Fires (2007-2009) analyzed U.S. Fire Administration data and found that most of the 3,800 fires in university housing were confined and caused by cooking. The 12 percent that were unconfined, however, accounted for all deaths and a majority of injuries and property damage. Intentional fires made up 16 percent of the unconfined fires, while carelessness and open flames were credited for another 23 percent.