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Fedhealth enews Q1 2018

Fedhealth's opt-in enews shares ideas, stories, program and product announcements, and other resources we hope you find of interest.

This 1st Quarter issue includes: FirstNet going nationwide to help first reponders AT&T’s secure broadband network + communication tools will keep responders safe How to protect yourself during radiation emergencies Missile alert sparks discussions about preparing for nuclear incidents

From our blog (& USFRA.org) As the world hurls (Volcanic eruption safety tips and resources)

Earthquake safety tips

Tsunami safety tips + resources

+ posts about floods, landslides and debris flows, wildfires and more

PREPARE Magazine Our pet safety article in Jan 2018 digital issue (get your free subscription)

On the Front Lines FCC adopts new rules for Wireless Emergency Alerts including geo-targeting, etc.

Strava fitness tracking app heat map compromises military Op-Sec

Camp4Heroes (sanctuary for wounded veterans and first responders)

Cool Links / Ideas Lighthouse for the Blind preparedness kits support outreach efforts to blind community

FEMA Risk Management Series publications

Thin film of diamene is as strong as diamonds

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IN THE SPOTLIGHT: FirstNet going nationwide to help first reponders We’ve been reporting about the progress of FirstNet in our enews since Mar 2014 (and Oct 2014 and Mar 2015) and, now that AT&T is the official provider of services for FirstNet, the dedicated communications platform created with first responders for first responders is helping to enable simpler, safer, faster and more collaborative communications. FirstNet will give the public safety community the 21st-century communication tools it needs to help save lives and keep communities and first responders safe. The foundation of the FirstNet service is a highly reliable highly secure broadband network dedicated to public safety. This is the first time public safety communications will be based on global standards like Global

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System for Mobile Communications, realize the benefits of economies of scale, and see rapid evolution of advanced communication capabilities, on a network designed for public safety users. In 2018, FirstNet and AT&T will have a clear line of sight to deliver the only technology platform built for public safety officials. Why is the FirstNet network a necessary and relevant undertaking?

Whether they’re responding to a local emergency or supporting a disaster in another city or state, public safety deserves a network that will be there for them whenever and wherever they need it. This unifying network will allow first responders and other public safety personnel to communicate across different agencies and jurisdictions throughout the country. Given current difficulties in doing this, the FirstNet network will allow public safety entities to better coordinate when jointly responding to human-caused and natural disasters. Who can subscribe to FirstNet?

Subscribers can include primary user and extended primary users:

• Primary users are public safety personnel whose primary mission and job is to provide services to the public in the areas of law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, or emergency medical services.

• Extended primary users are other entities that provide public safety services, and include individuals, agencies, organizations, non-profit or for-profit companies who are not primary users, but who may be called upon to support public safety personnel with the mitigation, remediation, overhaul, clean-up, restoration, or other such services that are required during the time of incident or post-incident. Extended primary users may be called on a temporary or on-going basis.

How does FirstNet compare to what’s currently available to public safety?

Today:

• Networks get congested in disasters and emergencies, making it difficult for first responders and other public safety personnel to communicate, coordinate and do their jobs.

• The public safety community uses more than 10,000 radio networks – which creates difficulty when trying to communicate across agencies or jurisdictions.

With the FirstNet network:

• First responders and other public safety personnel will access one highly secure, nationwide, interoperable communications network that will support voice, data, text and video communications.

• Public safety will have dedicated access to this network in times of crisis– their communications needs will come before non-public safety users.

• FirstNet will also deliver specialized features to further the public safety mission, including priority, preemption and more network capacity; a resilient, hardened connection; and an applications ecosystem with innovative applications and services.

• Devices connected to the network – such as wearables, drones and vehicles – will relay near real-time information to improve situational awareness and, ultimately, help save lives both of public safety responders on the front lines and the communities they protect.

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What types of devices will work on FirstNet?

Public safety users have access to an expansive catalog of LTE devices, ranging from purpose-built rugged units to the world’s most popular smart devices and tablets, complemented with a wide range of accessories. FirstNet enables public safety customers to get the priority, coverage, and interoperability they need without sacrificing choice in the devices they require to get the job done. Additionally, FirstNet will establish Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) capabilities to support volunteers and other personnel who use their personal devices for their public safety work if they meet the applicable requirements. FirstNet rate plans will support a wide variety of smartphones, tablets, laptops, modems, and network-ready devices using Android®, Apple® iOS, BlackBerry®, and Windows® Phones. As of 22-Jan-2018 Mike Poth, First Responder Network Authority CEO announced AT&T launched a brand expressly designed for FirstNet products and services. Having a specialized brand and logo will help public safety identify the FirstNet solution and lifesaving technologies the network offers first responders across our nation.

How will this network withstand natural disasters, such as flooding or hurricanes?

The first line of defense against network impact from natural disasters is a hardened, strengthened network. AT&T builds network infrastructure to meet or exceed national standards and local wind and earthquake load requirements. They have continued to strengthen the network in hurricane-prone areas by:

• Installing back-up and permanent generators at critical cell sites and switching facilities • Locating critical equipment in less vulnerable areas

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• Locating electronics critical to network operations above expected flood levels • Protecting physical facilities against flooding

Additionally, AT&T will provide power to the network in case commercial power is lost by adding more generators for use immediately after a storm hits. They will also place switches and generators critical to network operations in upper floors of buildings in case of flooding. AT&T has already elevated key distribution facilities in many low-lying areas and upgraded electronics in many locations, replacing copper wiring with fiber optic cable. Learn more about FirstNet services, the unique value of the FirstNet network to public safety, and how to subscribe for the FirstNet service site at www.FirstNet.com. You can also visit www.FirstNet.gov to learn about FirstNet’s programs and activities, including its consultation and outreach with public safety, the State Plans process, FirstNet’s history and promise, and how it plans to ensure the FirstNet network meets the needs of public safety – every day and in every emergency. You can also find updates and an RSS feed in the U.S. First Responders Association’s FirstNet group ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How to protect yourself during radiation emergencies Hawaii Emergency Management Agency’s text message fiasco warning residents about an incoming ballistic missile set off a firestorm of panic and criticism. As this photo shows the screen options were similar, and unfortunately an FCC probe suggests Hawaii did not have “reasonable safeguards or process controls in place” complicating things after an employee initiated the live alert. Officials at all government levels are working together to do what’s necessary to fix the issues. This regrettable but teachable moment also has many emergency management officials around the country reviewing their operations, communications and Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) plans, and more. The incident also caused many people to wonder what they should do, where they should go, and what types of shelters are best in case of a nuclear incident. According to the CDC, an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) is…

• A nuclear emergency involves the explosion of a nuclear weapon or improvised nuclear device (IND).

• The explosion produces an intense pulse of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation. • Nuclear explosions produce fallout (radioactive materials that can be carried long distances

by the wind). An IND could cause massive destruction, death and injury, and have a wide area of impact depending on the size of the device. People close to the blast site could experience…

• Injury or death (as a result of the blast) • Moderate to severe burns • Flash blindness

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• Radiation Sickness (also called acute radiation syndrome or ARS) • Contaminated food and water sources.

Basically those within the blast zone of Ground Zero (again, depending on the size of the nuke) won’t make it … BUT … if you are a few miles outside the zone your chances of surviving it are high as long as you…

• limit your exposure to radiation and fallout,

• take shelter with proper shielding, and

• wait for the most dangerous radioactive materials to decay. In other words, you can survive a nuclear attack … but you must make an effort to learn what to do! The CDC says the best way to protect yourself during radiation emergencies is to Get Inside, Stay Inside, and Stay Tuned. And since you cannot see, smell, taste or feel radiation, it is imperative people protect themselves from deadly fallout that can begin falling within minutes after a blast. Two key things to do in the event of a nuke attack is plan to stay inside sheltered with proper shielding for at least 48 hours or more, and have detection devices in kits to monitor levels of radiation. Learn more on our blog post called “How to protect yourself from nuclear fallout (tips about radiation, building an expedient shelter, etc)” and please share the data with others. By learning about potential threats and scenarios and making plans in advance, we are ALL better prepared to know how to react if something happens. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From our blog Please review and share these weather and disaster-related safety posts from our book on our Fedhealth blog and USFRA’s Disaster Preparedness group … As the world hurls (Volcanic eruption safety tips and resources)

Earthquake safety tips

Home Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

Flood safety tips and resources

Landslides and debris flow safety tips

Lightning safety tips

Tornado safety tips

Tsunami safety tips + resources

Preparing for a Wildfire (fire mitigation and safety tips)

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PREPARE Magazine We (Bill and Janet Liebsch) are honored to be “distinguished contributors” to PREPARE Magazine and had a pet safety article appear in their latest digital issue.

The Jan 2018 issue primarily focuses on simplifying, organizing and prioritizing things for the new year and beyond. As the Editorial Staff explains… often life gets cluttered with the weight of the past and the future at the same time and by taking a step back to realign priorities and make changes, we are able to press on toward the goal. This issue has several encouraging articles about organizing and simplifying your preps and life, and educational resources about gardening, preparedness, firearm cleaning, and protecting animals during frigid conditions. Sign up for PREPARE Magazine’s free digital magazine (and learn how to subscribe to their print magazine) at www.preparemag.com. Also consider

becoming a PREPARE Premium Member to access the entire library of digital issues back to 2012, video trainings, special reports, exclusive discounts and more at www.preparemember.com. And please share these links with others to help encourage them along their preparedness journey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On the Front Lines Recently emergency managers sent a letter to the FCC requesting, among other things, to allow a more precise targeting of alerts during a potential disaster and to accomplish via device-based geo-targeting and to do it by 2019. On 30-Jan-2018 the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to improve the geographic targeting of WEAs. The updated rules are intended to promote the wider use and effectiveness of this lifesaving service, especially for state and local authorities to convey critical messages to their communities. This action requires participating wireless providers to deliver WEA alerts in a more geographically precise manner so that the alerts reach the communities impacted by an emergency without disturbing others. Specifically, the FCC’s rules require participating wireless providers to deliver WEA alerts to the target area specified by the alert originator with no more than a one-tenth of a mile overshoot. This enhanced geo-targeting requirement will go into effect on November 30, 2019. Read more on USFRA.org

Last November, Strava fitness-tracking app released a heat map showing the activity of its users from around the world. The result is a pretty image of people working out, but one analyst points out that the map makes it very easy for someone to figure out the locations of military bases and the routines of their personnel. Strava’s map doesn’t reveal the presence of military installations — Google Maps and public satellite imagery do — but map reveals how

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people are moving along those areas, and how frequently, a potential security threat to Op-Sec of facilities and personnel. Continue reading on USFRA.org North Carolina singer-songwriter John T. Woodall’s Camp4Heroes in Fairmont, NC, is for injured veterans and first responders and their caregivers. John and his father have worked with injured veterans, caregivers, firefighters, and police officers for over 14 years, and now they are developing Camp4Heroes on 184 acres with a 10-acre lake to give back and promote well-being to veterans by having retreats, activities and more. Learn more and watch John’s “Stand Tall” video tribute to veterans and responders on USFRA.org Do you have a story or resource from the front lines you’d like to share? Send it to info@fedhealth.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cool Links / Ideas Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis, a 501(c)3 organization also known as LHB Industries, Inc., is one of the nation’s top providers of emergency preparedness kits to help people survive earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, floods, terrorist attacks and building lock-downs. The 48 legally blind employees at LHB plants in Missouri also produce medical kits; catheters; aerosol and liquid paints; aerosol and liquid cleaners; adhesives; eco-friendly products; and others for business, consumer, government and military customers nationwide. All sales revenues from LHB preparedness products and brands directly support their 16 different Blind Community Outreach Programs. Read full article on Preparemag.com blog

The Risk Management Series (RMS) is a FEMA series directed at providing design guidance for mitigating multi-hazard events. The series includes a large cadre of man-made disaster publications directed at strengthening the building inventory to reduce the potential impact from the forces that might be anticipated in a terrorist assault. The objective of the security risk management series is to reduce physical damage to structural and nonstructural components of buildings and related infrastructure, and to reduce resultant casualties from impact by conventional bombs, chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents; earthquakes; floods; and high winds. The underlying issue is that by improving mitigation and security of high occupancy buildings, we will

be better positioned to protect the nation from potential threats and hazards. The intended audience includes architects and engineers working for private institutions, building owners/operators/managers, and state and local government officials working in the building sciences community. Learn more at www.fema.gov/security-risk-management-series-publications

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Graphene has been termed as a wonderful material for use in electronics and for making bulletproof jackets. However, industrial scale production of graphene has been a major roadblock is extensive use of it in many industries. Recently researchers at the Advanced Science Research Centre at the City University of New York combined two layers of graphene (the combined material termed as diamene) and found much better strength compared to a single layer sheet. On impact, the material developed by ASRC research team could enable development of a range of flexible, impenetrable materials capable of protecting the body and fragile objects. Project lead researcher Elisa Riedo said, "This is the thinnest film with the stiffness and hardness of diamond ever created. Previously, when we tested graphite or a single atomic layer of graphene, we would apply pressure and feel a very soft film. But when the graphite film was exactly two-layers thick, all of a sudden we realized that the material under pressure was becoming extremely hard and as stiff, or stiffer, than bulk diamond." The research team says the material can be used in development of wear-resistant protective coatings and ultra-light bullet-proof films. Read more on CUNY.edu and Perfscience.com Do you have a cool link or idea you’d like to share? Send it to info@fedhealth.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please help us spread the word about our customizable tools and revenue sharing ideas by sharing this PDF enews with others. And if you know an agency, nonprofit, school, church or volunteer group (like a CERT, MRC, VOAD, Radio Club, etc) who could benefit from our funding ideas, have them visit www.fedhealth.net/ppp.html or call 1-888-999-4325 or email info@fedhealth.net for a FREE information kit. Also send us your news, events, products or services for consideration in a future enews to info@fedhealth.net. Stay safe out there, j & B Bill & Janet Liebsch Fedhealth 1-888-999-4325 8a-5p Central M-F Direct: 520-907-2153 www.fedhealth.net and www.fedhealthsc.com Twitter: @itsadisaster Facebook: @fedhealth Blog: fedhealth.info  Back to enews (and view archives)   

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