These articles are cited to provide current news related to terrorism, homeland security, critical incident response and public safety.
Best Practices for Keeping your Home Network Secure
Suspicious packages reported across U.S. in wake of Osama bin Laden's death
Johns Hopkins University features video of Homewood Campus Security
The National Terrorism Advisory System replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System
Fight Fire with Facts: Fire Escape Planning and Home Fire Safety
Best Practices for Keeping your Home Network Secure
The cyber threat is no longer limited to your office network and work persona. Adversaries realize that targets are typically more vulnerable when operating from their home network since there is less rigor associated with the protection, monitoring, and maintenance of most home networks. Home users need to maintain a basic level of network defense and hygiene for both themselves and their family members when accessing the Internet.
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Suspicious packages reported across U.S. in wake of Osama bin Laden's death
Following the death of Osama bin Laden in a raid by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan, President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials warned that even if al Qaeda was not poised to launch a major retaliatory attack, an increased threat from "homegrown extremists" exists.
That threat seems to have caught the public's attention with almost a dozen suspicious packages reported across the nation since the news of bin Laden's death was announced late Sunday.
In Massachusetts on Tuesday, there were at least four incidents involving suspicious packages.
An unknown white powder was found in envelopes addressed to Attorney General Martha Coakley and U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in downtown Boston, as well as in an envelope addressed to the court clerk at Greenfield District Court. A similar substance was reportedly found in the John F. Kennedy Federal Office Building in Boston.
Preliminary reports all indicated the substances weren't dangerous, but further tests are being conducted at state labs.
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Video of Homewood Campus Security
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New National Terrorism Advisory System Guide Released April 20, 2011
The National Terrorism Advisory System, or NTAS, replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector.
It recognizes that Americans all share responsibility for the nation’s security, and should always be aware of the heightened risk of terrorist attack in the United States and what they should do.
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Fight Fire with Facts: Fire Escape Planning and Home Fire Safety
Be prepared for a fire:
- One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm." A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
- Know your local emergency numbers. In most areas the number is 911.
- Practice finding your way out of the house with your eyes closed, crawling or staying low to the ground, and feeling your way out of the house.
- Never open doors that are hot.
- Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if their clothes catch fire.
- Decide on a meeting place outside your home and check to see if anyone is missing. Everyone must get out and stay out of the house or apartment.
- Remember to escape first, and then call the fire department.
- Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two ways to escape from each room in the house or apartment.
- Help children and senior citizens to escape from a fire.
- NEVER go back into a fire once you have escaped.
To learn more on how you can prevent fires and fire deaths, please contact your local fire department's office phone number (not 911).
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