Technology news and solutions to the local government authorities that help protect our communities.
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- Jun 23, 2008
By the time it was over, most of David Napier's Old City Bar and adjacent catering operation were saturated. After just two days in business, "all of our offices and the kitchen on the first floor were completely destroyed," Napier said.
Such was the impact of Hurricane Gaston, which doused Richmond, Va., with at least 10 inches of rain on Aug. 31, 2004. When it was over, Gaston had produced what some newspapers called a 5,900-year rainfall event and a 2,500-year storm, killed nine people and caused a reported $120 million in damages throughout the mid-Atlantic states.
For many in Richmond, the storm's wrath was epitomized by the devastation of Shockoe Bottom, a historic riverside entertainment quarter. The popular restaurant and nightspot district is the lowest point in the city, and that's where the water went, tearing down buildings and tossing vehicles through the streets.
Today the district is back on its feet, the restaurants are open and perhaps most significantly, the city ...Continue Article...
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Geographic terrain, an overloaded infrastructure and outdated technologies put into question a jurisdiction's level of optimal interoperability in an emergency situation. Emergency Management would like to understand the problem as it relates to dispatch centers ability to communicate with first responders effectively. Click Here to take the survey
Case Study - Morris County, New Jersey The Morris County Communications Center upgraded to a new trunked radio system with the benefits of a cellular network, extending coverage beyond county lines
Case Study - Iredell County, North Carolina Spanning over 570 sq miles, it became imperative that the Iredell County Emergency Communications, Operations and Management extend it's communications systems to enhance reliability, security, and coverage.
Case Study - City of Anaheim, California The City of Anaheim saw an opportunity to leverage existing GST and partner with nearby cities to enhance safety operations through data interoperability.
Case Study - Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Department Taking advantage of a range of interoperability solution, the Charlottesville Fire Department has achieved a network that can serve as backup to their existing public safety network.
Optimal Interoperability Until recently it was not possible to cost effectively connect commercial networks to LMR systems. Improvements in communications technology have resulted in greatly enhanced operational capability and have reduced the log-term cost of communications system ownership.
Sprint ERT Go-Kit with GST Optima Rapid, interoperable communications for emergencies, drills and field exercises.
DHS Grants and Assistance Programs Link to overview of available grants administered by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants Major changes in funding and focus for 2008 DHS grant programs
Remarks on 2008 Homeland Security Grant Guidance DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison
DHS FY 2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities An overview, released May 16, 2008.
2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities Funding Awarded by the DHS
Funding Resources for Your Community's Communications Project