Carnival circus

Carnival Cruise Lines has another crisis! The year started with the sinking of the Costa Concordia and was followed by her sister ship having an engine fire which stranded thousands of passengers and crew for days without power, air conditioning, working kitchens etc.

Now it is revealed that another Carnival cruise ship sailed pass a stranded fishing boat with 3 fishermen, without offering aid or calling for assistance. Days later the fishing ship was found with two dead and a struggling third fisherman.

Maritime law, in addition to the moral responsibility, requires ships to offer assistance to others in distress.

More lives affected by the decisions of the Carnival Cruise Line.

More information at:
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2012/04/19/19655166.html

Province delays again

The provincial government has been side stepping the issue of making fire sprinkler systems mandatory in long term care and retirement facilities for the past 10 years.

With 3 inquests in the past couple of years that have recommended sprinklers and a report by the Ontario Fire Chiefs, you would think that the decision would be close at hand.

With the inquest about to start on Monday into an Orillia retirement home fire that resulted in 4 deaths and 11 critical injuries to residents, the province attempts to pre-empt the logical recommendations by asking the Fire Marshall to take the next year to study the issue. While it may seem like sprinklers would only be a year away, the issue then has to go through the political system required to create new laws. This can take many months.

More lives will be lost in the mean time.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1160739--fire-marshall-to-conduct-review-on-seniors-homes

100th Anniversary of the Titanic

Today is the 100th anniversary of the Titanic striking the iceberg. This has resulted in numerous specials and articles about the event and other major cruise ship sinkings.

One that got my attention was a study of 18 liner sinkings. The issue that caught my attention was the fact that Captains and Crew often survived while leaving passengers. And women and children were much more likely to parish demonstrating that it was rare for women and children to be first. This was discouraging as I have believed in the responsibility to put children and women first.

It does reinforce the point that we are all responsible to ensure we know what to do in an emergency. Especially on a cruise ship.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012/04/14/19632891.html

Army Base Buried in Avalanche

An avalanche has buried an army base in the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. At this point in time all 135 people at the base are missing. The base is located at an incredible 18,000 ft elevation. Rescue efforts are continuing.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/07/world/asia/pakistan-avalanche/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Amazing Power of the Storm

This past week a storm ravaged the state of Texas including heavy rain of 2 inches per hour and several tornadoes which damaged more than 1,100 homes. New 3D satellite images show the storm clouds were more than 8 miles (12.8 km) tall.

http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/06/this-weeks-texas-storm-towered-8-miles-high/?hpt=us_c2

Nuclear Reactors shut down

Nuclear reactors at a power plant in California have been shut down after encountering a number of problems. This is just the latest in a rash of issues in nuclear power plants around the world in the past year.

If you live within 20 km of a nuclear power plant you need to have a evacuation plan for the safety of your family. The risk is low, but still exists.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/us/california-nuclear-plant/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

NYPD Presence Everywhere

When you are in Manhattan it appears that the NYPD are everywhere... and that is what they want to feel. As a tourist it makes you feel safe. As a bad guy it would make you take a second look. This elevating platform with cameras mounted on it is located in Times Square, keeping an eye above the crowds.

Bus Stop Ad by FEMA

During a recent trip to New York City I saw this FEMA advertisement on a bus stop in Manhattan reminding people to be prepared.

Airliner Safety Not What We Expect in Canada

The federal Auditor General has come out with a report that questions the safety of air travel in Canada. Transport Canada is only completing 30% of the mandated inspections of airline companies and when major issues are identified with the industry it can take Transport Canada 10 years to address them.

Unfortunately, this can lead to a lower level of safety when flying. The question is: will it take a major crash before they take action to resolve these issues?

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1155743--auditor-general-raises-red-flag-over-transport-canada-s-oversight-of-aviation-safety

The ORNGE is rotten

Back in the late 90's I was privileged to be one of the managers responsible for the Ontario Air Ambulance Service. We offered a basic service but highly efficient service. For approximately $60 Million a year we provided 15,000 air ambulance flights a year across the province with a team of some of the best flight medics in North America, if not the world. With Mike Harris those costs were reduced by approximately $6 Million, without a huge impact to the patients by reducing non-emergency patient transfer flights.

We contracted with Canadian Helicopters to provide a fleet of S76 Sikorski helicopters, the Cadillac, of helicopters in the EMS world with ample patient care space, good range, and high reliability. Fixed wing flights were provided though a group of private air carriers that were required to meet some fairly stringent standards.

Managers were paid $60-70,000 per year and the entire team of non-operational staff consisted of 6 managers and a similar number of admin. assistants. A year ago there were 200 operational staff and 200 administrative staff in ORNGE, with costs of approximately $170 Million. Yet the number of flights have not increased significantly. But with Senior Staff salaries ranging from $200,000 to $1.4 Million, the service has been turned into a scandal.

The most unfortunate aspect of the scandal is that the paramedics, pilots, flight followers, and other front line staff have been dragged down through poor leadership. The service needs to re-instill the pride of the work that they do day in and day out.

Lets start with getting rid of the name ORNGE and all of the connotations it has. Then it is time to demonstrate to the citizens of Ontario, though a concerted effort, the high quality service that they receive from the team of professional front line staff.

Lives continue to be saved and changed for the better every day because of the skill and efforts of these women and men who continue to labour under the shadow of this scandal.

http://www.thestar.com/topic/ornge

In

Prevent / disinfect mold after flooding

Flooding from storms can cause mold. Outside, mold decays leaves, contributing to soil enrichment. However, mold growing inside buildings can cause serious health risks. It is critical to disinfect and completely dry storm-impacted buildings.

When disinfecting with bleach:

• never use more than one cup bleach to one gallon water;
• never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaner;
• wear rubber boots, gloves, goggles and a mask;
• open windows and doors when weather permits.

Do not use fans; if mold already exists, it could spread.

Fix leaks in pipes and any damp areas around tubs and sinks.
Rebuild using water-resistant materials.
Prevent water seepage from outdoors by installing or reinforcing rain spouts.

The Comparison of Disasters

An interesting article comparing the Great Eastern Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 to other major disaster events.

Some facts about the event:

• Over a million homes destroyed or damaged.
• 15,800 dead and 3,300 missing
• Explosions in 3 nuclear reactors
• Estimated to take 30 years to contain nuclear reactors
• Close to 300,000 still in temporary shelter

Did you know that an earthquake in 1556 left 830,000 dead?

To read the article go to:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/10/japan-disaster-cost_n_1335250.html

Emergency Preparedness for Summer Camps

Back by demand, Emergency Management & Training is offering the Emergency Preparedness for Summer Camps seminar again in 2012.

The seminar is scheduled for April 28, 2012 in Barrie ON.

Early Bird Pricing saves $30. Register for only $95 now! Regular price is $125.

For more information go to:
http://www.emergencymgt.com/upcoming-seminars.html

UK adds Solar Storms and Volcanos to risks

As every municipality, province/state, and country should do, the UK has reassessed it's HIRA (hazard identification and risk analysis), adding solar storms and volcanos to their list of risks.

While solar storms do not pose a direct risk to people, it can disrupt power grids, satelites, radio transmission etc.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120318/britain-volcanoes-solar-storms-20120318/

Nuclear Power Plants Aging

70% of the world's nuclear power plants are more than 30 years old raising concern about the maintenance of the plants.

While countries such as Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium move away nuclear power, countries such as India, China and Russia are increasing their nuclear power capacity.

We haven't seen the last of nuclear disasters...

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1145304--older-nuclear-plants-pose-safety-challenge-iaea