disaster response News

Emergency Responder Mobile App Could Aid Communications During Disasters

A mobile app from a law enforcement technology firm could soon allow emergency responders from different agencies to communicate seamlessly with each other in a crisis for the first time, sharing files and conducting impromptu conference calls. BlueLine Grid’s applications …

Disaster Cost Has Quadrupled Since 1980s: EU Commissioner

The average annual cost of natural disasters has quadrupled over the last three decades and it makes economic sense to boost spending on preparedness to ensure a stable future, a senior European official said last week. Kristina Georgieva, European Commissioner …

Washington Governor Vetoes $1.5 Million Disaster Fund Cut

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has vetoed a proposed cut of $1.5 million to Washington state’s disaster response fund. This decision was on a list of vetoes applied to the supplement state budget approved by lawmakers earlier this year. Most of …

Improvements Needed in Illinois’ Disaster Response: Review

A review has found several shortfalls in Illinois’ readiness to respond to disasters and emergencies. The review concluded that there could be better coordination with local communities on things like identifying and pre-registering volunteer health professionals who could be called …

Insurance Law, Regulation – Jim Wrynn’s Experience Covers It All

James J. Wrynn, Esq. served as New York’s Superintendent of Insurance from 2009 to 2012, when he joined the law firm of Goldberg Segalla LLP, which specializes in insurance law. His knowledge and experience are both broad and deep, especially …

U.S. House Skips Vote on Sandy Aid, Angering Members From Storm-Hit States

The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned on Tuesday night without acting on a $60.4 billion Superstorm Sandy disaster aid bill, prompting angry denunciations from members from the states hardest hit by the storm.”I have just been informed that we will …

Kansas Senate Panel Considers Disaster Funding

Kansas legislators have begun work on a bill that would create a special fund to cover the state’s share of disaster assistance. Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the Kansas adjutant general, testified before the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee about …

FEMA Director: Private Sector Needs ‘Seat at the Table’ in Disaster Response

The private sector should be engaged early and often in preparing for and responding to natural disasters like hurricanes, the top U.S. emergency management official says. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), says governmental emergency management …

Connecticut Governor Seeks Storm Exercises, Utility Standards

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced this week that he will propose legislation that could lead to new performance standards for all utilities and could penalize them with fines if they fall short in their response to storms and other …

Newly Elected Officials Must Learn Hurricane Response: FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate this week stressed how important it is for newly elected public officials to learn how to respond during hurricanes and other powerful storms and that a bad economy is no excuse not to …