Home Fire Protection News Articles

Are you interested in fire protection for the home? Looking for ways to make your home safer from the threat of smoke inhalation or fire? Security World News offers a series on articles on fire protection.

A Blog Post about "The Way We Get By"

A movie has been made about the Maine Troop Greeters. The movie is described in this online post entitled "Bangor and The Way We Get By".

Swine Flu Outbreak in Pittsfield, Maine

A Swine Flu outbreak is being reported at the Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine. The first case was reported on October 22nd. 42 students are showing symptoms of Swine Flu at this point. Read more in "H1N1 Outbreak at MCI in Pittsfield", WABI TV5, November 2, 2009.

GPS Units Now No Longer Needed? Google Announces a Phone App Offering Directions

Goggle has announced (on its blog) a phone application that offers turn by turn directions for cell phones. This will have a drastic impact on the GPS industry. Read more on this topic in "Google continues to map the way", The Washington Post, November 1, 2009.

Ice Storm Drill Conducted in Maine

State and county emergency management agencies in Maine conducted an "Ice Storm" drill on October 29, 2009. The scenario had roads closed and 65,000 Mainers experiencing power outages. The drill was done to test the ability of the state to operate alternative communications during a disaster. Nice to see they are getting ready! Click here to learn more about emergency management in Maine.

Biological Threats and the White House Response (or Lack of)

An article was posted online on Homeland Security Today concerning that lack of preparation for a bioterrorism event. Read more in "White House Failing To Address Biological Threats" (October 22, 2009).

Maine Businesses Should Have a Swine Flu Reaction Plan

Maine businesses are urged to develop a plan should Swine Flu threaten their employees or customers on a large scale. Read more in "Businesses Urged To Make Swine Flu Reaction Plan", WCSH6.com, October 22, 2009.

Portland, Maine Police Using CompStat to Combat Crime

Portland, Maine police are using computer statistics generated by a computer application called CompStat. CompStat is used to track crime incidents across the city. The data is used to assign officers and priorities of effort. Read more in "New program helps Portland PD fight crime", Morning Sentinel, October 26, 2009.

Information Security Jobs Increase

There has been a rise in the hiring of information security personnel or chief security officers. The growth of commerce on the Internet and associated cybercrime have forced large firms to hire people familiar with computer security and privacy measures. Read more in "The Rise Of The CSO", Forbes.com, October 26, 2009.

Bangor, Maine Hospitals Prepared for Swine Flu Pandemic

Bangor, Maine hospitals are prepared to handle a Swine Flu pandemic. The two Bangor hospitals say that emergency plans are now in place. Read more in "Bangor hospitals prepared for flu pandemic", Bangor Daily News, October 26, 2009.

Swine Flu Spreads

Read a transcript of a discussion about Swine Flu on the Wall Street Journal. Covers info such as who should get vaccinated, what are state governments doing right and wrong, and how to take precautions. See "Going Viral", Wall Street Journal, October 19, 2009.

Safe Campus Program for University of Southern Maine

"The U.S. Department of Justice will spend $300,000 over three years to establish a campus interpersonal safety program at the University of Southern Maine, college officials announced today. The federal agency’s Office of Violence Against Women awarded the grant to a project proposed by Susan Fineran, an associate professor of social work."

Read the rest of the article here.

Flu Vaccine Late for Maine

The Bangor Daily News is reporting that flu vaccines will arrive late for Maine residents. It may be late November before all of the flu vaccines ordered arrive here in Maine. Read more in "CDC says half of flu vaccine for Maine late" (October 16, 2009). It appears that lateness is due to competition with Swine Flu vaccines.

Swine Flu Spread Unprecedented

The Maine Center for Disease Control has reported that the swine flu virus spread is unprecedented. Increasing numbers of children are dying from swine flu. Read more in a news article by MyFoxMaine.com (Oct 19, 2009).

Biometric Security - Retinal Scanners

The human eyeball has some unique characteristics that lends itself to biometric security applications. There are a unique set of blood vessel networks for each individual - just like our fingerprints are unique. The first retinal scanner (Wikipedia) was available in the early 1980s by a firm called EyeDentify. Government agencies were the first to employ retinal scanners but commercial firms are slowly warming to the security application. Click here to learn how to buy a retinal biometric scanner.

New Warden for Maine Prison

The Maine State Prison will get a new warden. A warden from Michigan is expected to take over as warden in early December. Read more in this news article.

Piracy Discussed at Conference Held at Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy was the host of The Women on the Water conference held recently in Castine, Maine. Many issues were discussed to include the threat of piracy on the high seas. Read a recent online news article on this topic and the conference in "Piracy remains a concern, maritime panelists explain", Bangor Daily News, October 19, 2009. Click here to learn more about maritime security.

Internet Resources for Domestic Violence

If you (or someone you know) is at risk for domestic violence then there is help out there for you. Visit Security Info Net's "Domestic Violence" webpage for more information.

Less Troops, More Security Contractors Now in Iraq

As troop levels in Iraq draw down the United States is relying more on private security contractors to keep security on its bases up to standards. This is explained in a recent news article by the Star Tribune (October 2, 2009) entitled "As troops draw down, more contractors hired". For more info see security contracting firms and news about security contractors.

Drugs and Driving in Maine on the Rise

A Maine newspaper (Bangor Daily News) is reporting that people who drive while using drugs is on the rise. It is reported that there is a " . . . surge in people driving while under the influence of drugs . . ." Some are advocating that the Maine legislature pass laws that will make it an automatic suspension if driving under the influence of drugs.

15th Detection Technologies Conference (Nov 5-6, 2009)

The 15th Annual Detection Technolgies conference will take place in Washington, D.Cl on November 5-6, 2009.

Detection Technologies is an internationally recognized event for experts in detection and identification of biological and chemical threats and will explore the latest developments in biothreat detection, identification, and analysis both in the field and at the point-of-care. The opening keynote address from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will discuss the next generation biological detection program.

Other Program topics include:
· New generation of sensors and detectors
· Rapid, reliable, continuous, chemical and biodetection
· Chemical and biological agents sample preparation
· PCR and non-PCR based detection techniques
· Reagent and reagentless detection systems
· Point-of-care threat detection
· Field-ready devices: compatibility/reliability/scalability

For a list of other conferences and expostions about homeland security, terrorism, and defense visit listing of conferences.

Tough Soft Body Armor Advances in Future

R & D Magazine is reporting (September 30, 2009) that new coated fabrics are being developed to make soft body armor. The substances used are a natural rubber latex (NRL). Read more in "Tougher soft body armour from natural rubber latex coated fabric". Click here to learn more info about body armor.

Body Scanners and You at the Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) feels compelled to look at what is under your clothes when you go through a security checkpoint in an effort to increase the effectiveness of airport security. 150 new scanners will be installed at airports around the country. This type of body imaging is certainly an invasion of privacy. Read more in "TSA to expand use of body scanners", USA Today, October 1, 2009.

Story of Maine Troop Greeters at Bangor Airport

Senator Susan Collins has wrote a guest column in The Exception Magazine about the Troop Greeters of Bangor International Airport. The troop greeters meet each flight of servicemen going or returning from overseas combat zones. See "The Story of Maine's Troop Greeters".

ROTC Looking for Future Officers

Across the nation ROTC is increasing its recruitment efforts on campuses. The University of Maine is no exception. Read more on this topic in "ROTC seeks to increase recruitment", The Maine Campus, October 1, 2009.

Flu Shots and Maine Folks

Most Americans will choose not to get immunized with a flu or Swine Flu shot. Some rely on supplements to keep their immune system healthy. Some folks claim to get sick when they get the shot. Read more in "Flu shots - some do and some don't", Seacoast Online, October 11, 2009.

Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Now Available

A nasal spray flu vaccine will soon be available in parts of the country. The nasal spray FluMist will be available to some communities.

Swine Flu Deaths Rise Among Young Children

The Washington Post is reporting that Swine Flu deaths are rising among young children. See "H1N1 Deaths Among Youths Rise as Epidemic Spreads".

Maine Construction Firm Victim of Cyber Heist

A Maine construction firm located in Saco was the victim of a sophisticated online bank heist. Read "Maine Firm Sues Bank After $588,000 Cyber Heist", The Washington Post, September 2009.

FluView Report Issued by CDC

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its weekly FluView report. This can be viewed at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. It gives a synopsis of different surveillance criteria for flu across the United States to include statistics on hospitalizations and deaths. Click here to learn more about Swine Flu in Maine.