Prepare4 Public Safety Information: 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Super Security at this Year's Superbowl

1. Vantage points in the Stadium's rafters for Law Enforcement Snipers.
2. Radiological detectors for possible "Dirty Bombs"(10 hits at last year's SB-all were medical isotopes).
3. Multiple entrances for faster evacuation.
4. 30 mile radius of restricted airspace.

Here's What to Look For - Before the Roof Collapses to the Floor!

Over 90 buildings (so far) in Massachusetts have collapsed under the stress of Snow and Ice accumulating on rooftops.

Do you live in an area affected by the recent winter storms?

Take a moment to stop, look and listen. Your commercial building, apartment or house may be telling you something.

Don't let your roof become your new floor!
Here's What to Look For

Homeowners and business owners should be mindful of the risk of personal injury to themselves and occupants before removing snow from roofs. A contractor could be helpful in assessing the need for snow removal. Most tree removal companies will do snow removal from roofs.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Be on the alert for large accumulating snow build-up or snowdrifts on your roofs. If roof snow can be removed with the use of a snow rake (available at most hardware stores), do so. Use caution, as metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line.

WARNING SIGNS OF A POTENTIAL ROOF COLLAPSE

Prior to a roof collapse, buildings generally exhibit signs that the roof is in distress and action should be taken to mitigate a roof collapse. The following are some of the symptoms that have been reported prior to roof failure:

Sagging roof steel – visually deformed
Severe roof leaks
Cracked or split wood members
Bends or ripples in metal supports
Cracks in walls or masonry
Cracks in welds of steel construction
Sheared off screws from steel frames
Sprinkler heads pushed down below ceiling tiles
Water in ponds where it never has not formed ponds before
Doors that pop open
Doors or windows that are difficult to open
Bowed utility pipes or conduit attached at ceiling
Creaking, cracking or popping sounds

TIPS FOR SNOW REMOVAL FROM ROOFS

Try to void working from ladders, as ladder rungs tend to ice up. Snow and ice collect on boot soles, and metal ladders.
Flat roofs can be shoveled clear, but only if it is determined that the roof is safe to stand upon. Exercise care when on the roof to avoid potentially dangerous falls.
Flat roof drainage systems should be kept clear to minimize the risk of excess roof ponding in the event of subsequent heavy rainfall or melting.
Large icicles can form on roof overhangs, but do not necessarily mean ice damming is occurring. Icicles overhanging doorways and walkways can be dangerous and should be carefully removed.
All of the mentioned actions should only be performed by able-bodied adults, as the snow is heavy, and roofs and other surfaces may be slippery. Protective headgear and eye protection is recommended.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT AN IMMINENT ROOF COLLAPSE

Evacuate the Building Immediately!
Call 911 from a safe location.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Raw Video: Australia Flood Damage - 9News Australia

Select Here to View Video

9News Video Landing Page: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx

Australia Floods 2011-Social Media Connects People and Places During a Disaster

Select Here to View Video

9News Video Landing Page:http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx

9News Australia Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/9News

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Watch Live Blizzard Coverage in Boston, MA - WCVB-TV5

Select Here to View Live Blizzard Coverage

Updates, Advisories, Closings, Weather Forecast and More

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Raw Video: Aerial Footage of Queensland, Australia Flooding - 9News Australia

Select to View Video

9 News Video Landing Page: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx

Emergency Management Australia http://www.ema.gov.au/

Raw Video: Helicopter Rescues Stranded Flood Victims - 9News Australia

Select to Play the Video

9 News Video Landing Page:http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx

Emergency Management Australia:http://www.ema.gov.au/

Grantham, Australia Affected by Inland Tsunami - 9News Australia

9 News Australia Video Landing Page:http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx
Emergency Management Australia:http://www.ema.gov.au/

Witness Describes the Scene in Tucson - How He and Others Tackled the Suspect

CNN Video Landing Page: http://www.cnn.com/video/

Friday, January 7, 2011

State and Federal Officials to Survey Storm Damage in San Diego-KFMB-TV8

Select Link for Video Landing Page: http://www.cbs8.com/global/category.asp?c=155799&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=149659&topVideoCatNoB=155712&topVideoCatNoC=155713&topVideoCatNoD=155710&topVideoCatNoE=155711&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5443527

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - The County of San Diego has paved the way to get emergency money from the state and federal governments. The county estimates that there are more than $6 million in damage.

State and federal officials are expected to look at that damage Wednesday. Heavy rains caused flooding, which created sinkholes, mudslides and potholes.

News 8's Adrienne Moore files this video report with the latest on where the funds could go.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

High Spirits Found in The High Flood Waters of Australia

Australians hit by the floods in Queensland are hailed for their positive spirit in adversity

Making a Difference at 35,000FT - Passengers Foil Turkish Hijack-Reuters

Police arrest a would-be hijacker at Istanbul airport after passengers overpower the man on a Turkish air flight. Simon Hanna reports.

North County San Diego Firefighters Train at Abandoned Military Housing-KFMB-TV8 San Diego

On Thursday, North County fire agencies took part in several fire drills inside abandoned military housing on Camp Pendleton.

In this News 8 video story, photojournalist Charlie Landon shows us how this valuable training will help firefighters.

Video Landing Page: http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=13799603

Driving While Drowsy - Waking Up to This Danger

ABC News Video
ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com

30 Second Interviews about Drowsy Driving.

How to Recognize the Signs, What to do and More.

Difficult Driving Conditions:
Drowsy Driving

These interviews were conducted with Reed Berry "The Traffic Guy"
http://www.reedberry.com/

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

USFA Firefighter Safe Operations in Abandoned Buildings - Video & Information Toolbox

Video: ABC7 Chicago News Story : http://abclocal.go.com/wls/index

The recent double firefighter fatality fire in Chicago, the eight civilian fatality fire in New Orleans, and two other recent building collapses in Buffalo, NY and Washington, DC resulting in firefighter injuries stress the importance of safe operations in abandoned buildings.

These events serve as an impetus for the U.S. Fire Administration to highlight and share with you materials designed to raise awareness of the risks and offer suggestions for addressing the dangers associated with vacant and abandoned buildings. Please share this information with community officials and operations personnel so we might prevent another tragedy.

· Abandoned Cold Storage Warehouse Multi-Firefighter Fatality Fire (Worcester, Massachusetts) (PDF)

· Intentionally Set Fires (PDF)

· Vacant Residential Building Fires (PDF)

· Coffee Break Training: Abandoned Buildings (PDF)

· Board-Up Procedures (PDF)

· Abandoned Building Project Toolbox