The DHS Risk Lexicon supports the Integrated Risk Management Framework by defining a single language for DHS risk management. Clear and unambiguous communication amongst risk practitioners, decision makers, and homeland security stakeholders is a key aspect the Departments integrated risk management capability. The DHS Risk Lexicon represents a significant step forward by making available an official set of definitions for risk-related terms for the Department.
The DHS Risk Lexicon is a product of the efforts of the Intra-Departmental DHS Risk Steering Committee (RSC). With membership from across the Department, the RSC was formed to leverage the risk management capabilities of DHS components, offices, and directorates to advance an integrated approach to risk management for DHS. The RSC has produced this DHS Risk Lexicon consisting of terms that are fundamental to the practice of homeland security risk management. The definitions in the DHS Risk Lexicon are intended to build a common vocabulary and language within the Department and enhance the ability of the DHS risk community to utilize risk information and assessments to set priorities for reducing the risks facing the Nation. The DHS Risk Lexicon is a dynamic document that will expand over time and be continually reviewed to ensure that terms and definitions are accurate and up to date.
DHS Risk Lexicon with definitions for 73 terms fundamental to the practice of homeland security risk management.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Risk Lexicon
Temple University Hospital nurses strike
Philadelphia Business Journal - by John George Staff Writer
Striking Temple University Hospital nurses, technicians and other professional staff members took to the picket lines Wednesday morning as the union's strike against the North Philadelphia medical center began at 7 a.m.
The hospital will stay open, an official said: Doctors and employees not represented by the union remain on the job, and the hospital is bringing in some replacement workers.
About two dozen members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals were picketing in front of the main hospital entrance at Broad Street and Ontario Avenue chanting "No contract, no work" and "What do we want? A contract. When do we want it? Now."
Dozens of other union members took positions at other entrances to the 746-bed medical center.
PASNAP represents about 1,500 workers at Temple University Hospital.
Union members have been working without a contract since September. PASNAP officials have accused Temple of "bad faith bargaining" and said the strike was over issues including wages, staffing levels and a so-called gag clause that they say prevents union members from speaking publicly about the hospital.
"Despite good faith negotiations on the part of the union that represents the nurses and professionals at Temple, administrators have clung to their unreasonable 'best and final offer,'" said Maureen May, a registered nurse and president of the nurses union at Temple. "The nurses and other professional staff voted to strike and are determined to do all that is necessary to convince Temple administrators that their hard line stance is bad for the hospital, bad for employees and most of all, bad for our patients."
Sandra L. Gomberg, interim executive director and CEO of Temple University Hospital, said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the medical center has replacement workers for the striking PASNAP members.
"Temple will continue to provide uninterrupted quality care in all clinical areas through the strike," Gomberg said, noting all care will continue to be directed by the hospital's 400 physicians. In addition, she said, the hospital will continue to be staffed by 3,000 workers who are not part of PASNAP. Gomberg said the two sides remain far apart on wages.
She said the hospital's "last, best" offer — rejected by the union Monday night — called for no increase for the nurses in the first year of a four-year deal, followed by annual increases of 2, 2 and 2.5 percent. Gomberg said the union is seeking increases of 3, 3.5, 4 and 4 percent over the four years.
According to Gomberg, Temple nurses earn on average $39.80 an hour, which she said is among the highest rates in the city. She said the union's demands don't reflect the current economic environment.
Gomberg also took issue with the union's description of the "gag clause," which she said applies only to union officials who have repeatedly made disparaging comments about the hospital during the contract negotiation process.
Temple University Hospital officials Thursday morning invited its striking employees to return to work, under the terms of the medical center's last offer.
"We will also continue to make ourselves available to meet with union officials in order to achieve a ratified agreement and be able to put this labor dispute behind us," said Gomberg.
Friday, March 26, 2010
US News and World Report
http://www.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2009/12/28/emergency-management.html
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Book Review opportunity
Colleagues:
Claire Rubin, an editor for the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, passes this along:
I have lots of new books on hand for review in JHSEM. If you would pass along this info to colleagues and students I would appreciate it.
As you may recall, the reviewer gets a byline in the Journal and gets to keep the book.
A list of the new books on hand is posted at:
Thanks and regards,
Claire
Claire B. Rubin
Book Review Editor
JHSEM
Monday, March 15, 2010
Talk about Haiti
http://www.housingworks.org/donate/haiti/
http://www.mugshotscoffeehouse.com/events_calendar.cfm
Live online webinar - EMS Response to Terror Related MCI's
Live online webinar - EMS Response to Terror Related MCI's
Join us and speaker Steve Kanarian, MPH, EMT-P. for this unique opportunity.
Are you ready to respond to a terrorism mass casualty incident?
MCI responders do not feel ready to face the dangers of a terror related MCI. In this webinar Steven Kanarian will discuss the critical elements of terrorism related MCI response for EMS responders. Participants will review MCI management principles, gain perspective on the critical safety principles required to respond to a terror related MCI and understand lessons learned from recent terror incidents. Participants will learn the safety rules and approach to a terror related incident.
Date - March 18th 2010
Time - 8:00 PM EST
Place - Online just register for details and turn up your speakers.
http://ems-safety.com/LCC/mci.htm
Steve is a Paramedic Program Instructor from LaGuardia Community College, NYC. Register free below and claim your seat.
Call for Presentations and Posters: Mid Atlantic Defense and Security Symposium
The New Jersey Technology Council's is seeking presentations and posters focusing on products or efforts in the following areas: Imaging and Sensing Technologies, Anti Bio Weapons and Cyber Security and Network Centric Computing. Partners in the Symposium include Drexel University/ACIN Center, Monmouth University and New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Papers accepted will be presented at a symposium scheduled for the afternoon of April 13 at Monmouth University's Wilson Hall in West Long Branch, NJ. Papers should focus either on unique products, technologies and services which have been developed by companies and inventors OR on the defense and security outcomes of such products, technologies or services.
For more information on the Call for Presentations go to: http://www.njtc.org/files/calls/CallforPapers.doc.
For more information on the Call for Posters go to: http://www.njtc.org/files/calls/PosterCall.doc.
Deadline for submission is March 31, 2010.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
DMM Student Dr. David Marks
http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=804516@woai.dayport.com&navCatId=5.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Call for Papers for Homeland Security Group
The term white paper originally referred to official government reports. Now used in other industries as well, white papers are authoritative and well-supported arguments that both inform and persuade. They outline a problem and pose a solution giving you the opportunity to showcase your expertise.
Examples of white papers abound on the internet. Few are specific to Homeland Security related disciplines.
Please:
• Limit submissions to 2,500 words (excluding tables, figures and literature cited)
• Include a title, authors’ names and institutional affiliations, and corresponding author email address. Authors need not be Homeland Security Group members. You may submit papers written by others with their permission, or that have been posted in the public domain.
• Prepare your paper as a Microsoft Word file (or Open Office equivalent).
• Feel free to include tables and figures, including photos. These must be sufficiently high resolution to view on screen and to print.
• Include subheadings in the body of your paper. These might include the following, but you are welcome to use variations or further subdivisions:
Executive Summary/Abstract:
Brief overview of the main points you will make. A list of bullet points works well.
Introduction:
Present a specific problem, including evidence of the problem and its importance, historical context, and/ or previously attempted solutions and their shortcomings.
Solution:
This is the centerpiece of your paper. Elaborate on your proposed solution: how it works; benefits of adopting it; evidence that it is plausible; evidence that it is superior or complementary to other possible solutions; and/or specific examples of how it might be implemented.
Conclusion:
Wrap up and emphasize take-home points.
Literature Cited:
Please cite relevant literature to support your argument. This section does not count against the word limit.
Submission
To submit your white paper, email the (.doc) file as an attachment to HalleyAdam@gmail.com.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Course
Seats are still available for our upcoming Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties (MCBC) Course. This course is taught at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) at Ft. Detrick, Maryland.
This educational activity is accredited for category 1 credit(s) toward the AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM for physicians (CMEs) and Continuing Medical Education Units (CEUs) for Nurses.
If you, or someone you know, would like to attend this course, please visit our website at: http://ccc.apgea.army.mil/ or call (410) 436-2230 or DSN 584-2230 for further information on registration.
Click on photo above for information flyer that contains more details on upcoming courses and dates.