When first responders encounter hazardous environments contaminated with chemical agents, they need to quickly identify the hazards of the chemicals involved. This information is used to make critical incident management decisions.
A software application called Emergency Response Decision Support System (ERDSS), also known as Chemical Companion, is used by many first responders for on-scene decision support when any chemical agents are involved.
Version 4.8 of this software has just been released and is now available free of charge to the military, law enforcement, and fire departments.
Features of this software include searchable reference material on thousands of common chemicals and synonyms, PPE, chemical detection equipment, Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) and emergency medical information; and more. It also includes a robust set of tools for making decisions related to the chemicals involved. The software is available as a standalone application for environments without internet connectivity.
The Version 4.8 update includes new chemical threats and precursors, new chemical detectors, updated detector data, and Australia ERG 2020. New decision support tools have been added for chemical and biological destruction, fire combustion, munitions identification, air management, and several other new modules.
ERDSS is supported by several federal agencies, including the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), formerly known as the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). This federal support makes it possible to offer the software to first responders free of charge.
You can learn more about the capabilities of ERDSS by watching the video demonstration available on ChemicalCompanion.org and YouTube. The website also provides the full list of updated features and supported operating systems for Version 4.8.
Since ERDSS contains sensitive information, its use is restricted only to those with a “need to know.” This includes public safety and defense personnel in the U.S., Australia, and partner countries. These individuals must first request access, receive approval, and then register for an account through ChemicalCompanion.org.
ERDSS was developed by Hazard3. If you or your team are interested in training (web-based, remote delivery, or in-person) on the use of ERDSS, please contact Hazard3 at info@hazard3.com. For support with registration, contact support@chemicalcompanion.org.
(Source: Chemical Companion)
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are on the rise. The Emergency Services Sector, like all critical infrastructure sectors, is increasingly at risk.
Public safety leaders should know their agencies’ particular cybersecurity risks. The technology supporting public safety missions should be as secure as possible.
Last month, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released Getting Started with Cybersecurity Risk Management: Ransomware, a Quick Start Guide providing guidance on how to use NIST’s new Ransomware Risk Management: A Cybersecurity Framework Profile (Ransomware Profile).
Ransomware is a type of malicious attack where attackers encrypt an organization’s data and demand payment to restore access. Attackers may also steal an organization’s information and demand an additional payment in return for not disclosing the information to authorities, competitors, or the public. Ransomware risk management includes gauging an organization’s level of readiness to counter ransomware threats and its capabilities to deal with the potential consequences of ransomware attacks.
NIST’s Ransomware Profile is intended for any organization with cyber resources that could be subject to ransomware attacks, regardless of sector or size. Organizations can use this document as a guide for profiling the state of their own readiness, determining their current “ransomware risk management profile,” and setting a target profile to identify gaps.
The Ransomware Profile maps security objectives for protecting against ransomware attacks to the five key functions in NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover). It describes activities under each security objective to address cybersecurity challenges.
You can access the new Ransomware Profile and Quick Start Guide on NIST’s website.
(Source: NIST)
The National Operational Center of Excellence (NOCoE), supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, March 23 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST as part of its Talking TIM webinar series.
This webinar will discuss several current traffic incident management (TIM) initiatives relevant to responder safety and operations. These include:
- Outreach for responder safety through collaborations with the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA).
- North Carolina’s tethered unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) program, which is being piloted as a method to aid emergency traffic management.
- Advanced responder warning through safety vests fueled by video analytics.
All webinars in the Talking TIM series pertain to traffic incident management (TIM), with a focus on successful programs, best practices, and technology that advances the profession of TIM. Topics covered in this series are often relevant to anyone with a role in emergency dispatch or emergency medical response to traffic incidents, emergency traffic management, or those with an interest in ensuring first responder safety on roadways. Webinars are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Those interested in attending the free March 23 webinar can find out more and register via NOCoE’s website. You can also view recordings of past webinars in the series and sign up for updates, so you can be alerted when upcoming webinars are scheduled.
(Source: NOCoE)
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