Public Safety Signals » Charles Tiffin

Capella University is very pleased to announce its partnership with Mission Critical TV

Steven — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:16:28 +0000

Mission Critical TV’s new one-hour format filmed in studio with host and Capella Faculty Chair, John J. Sullivan, PhD, will offer professional educational credits through Capella University.

For further information please go to: http://www.missioncriticaltv.com/

Historic Tornado Outbreak

Charles — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:36:55 +0000

Three days in April witnessed nearly 300 tornados across 15 states with over 45 people killed and many more injured and still more displaced by the storms. This was a powerful storm system packing massive energy which pounded much of the country.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who lost a family member, friend or neighbor in the storms.

In extreme weather events such as these, and I have been through several myself as a first responder, we would be remiss if we didn’t salute those heroic first responders who were on the scenes immediately after the storms helping victims, families and neighborhoods recover from the destruction. These law enforcement officers, fire fighters and EMS responders work through these events while often not knowing the status of their own families.

Again, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who lost a family member, friend or neighbor in the storms.

Amber Alerts: Could social networks such as Twitter and Facebook be used like an Emergency Broadcast system?

Steven — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:29:47 +0000

Please see the very informative IACP, Center for Social Media article, “Amber Alert Gets Social”, By Mark Economou.

http://blog.iacpsocialmedia.org/Home/tabid/142/entryid/45/Default.aspx

What are your thoughts?

Capella Recognized as Member of the Legion de Lafayette

Steven — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:08:00 +0000

The Legion de Lafayette of the National Guard Association (NGAUS) of the United States has honored Capella University as the first educational institution to become a member.

Please see the official press release for more details http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110309006335/en/Legion-de-Lafayette-National-Guard-Association-United

11 Law Enforcement Officers Shot in a 24 Hour Period

Steven — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:49:14 +0000

Earlier in the month, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported that beginning on Sunday, January 23, a tragic wave of violence against America’s law enforcement officers took place, with 11 officers shot within a 24 hour time frame in 5 states.

In addition, it was reported that gunfire fatalities has claimed the lives of 12 officers in 2011 – a 50% increase from a year ago today.

There is a perception among many law enforcement officers that there is a war on cops. What are your thoughts?

Capella University Faculty Member Co-Authors New Books

Steven — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:55:20 +0000

Dr. Henry Christen, a faculty member with the School of Public Service Leadership, has co-authored two books, one on responding to terrorism and another on the National Incident Management System

It is our pleasure to announce that Dr. Christen has co-authored a new book that is a pragmatic guide for responding to terrorism incidents. “Homeland Security – Principles and Practice of Terrorism Response”. He has also co-authored another recently released book, titled “National Incident Management System – Principles and Practice,” the second edition of which was published by Jones & Bartlett Learning last fall.

Both books can be purchased online through the Jones & Bartlett Learning website, as well as other online book retailers.

Homeland Security – Principles and Practice of Terrorism Response

“Homeland Security – Principles and Practice of Terrorism Response” provides an overview of both strategic practices, as well as pragmatic ideas to help public safety professionals respond to acts of terrorism. It was written specifically for those working in the fire service, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management fields.

Christen, along with his co-author, Paul M. Maniscalco, a former deputy chief with the New York City EMS and a senior research scientist and principal investigator at George Washington University, wrote the book with both rural and urban case studies in order to demonstrate the myriad ways an act of terrorism can play out and what the appropriate responses could be. The specific topics the book addresses include: incident management, infrastructure protection, response procedures, protective equipment, crime scene operations, and weapons of mass effect.

“We wrote this book as a practical guide for responders,” Christen said. “The topics we cover are valuable for practitioners and decision-makers in the public safety field.”

National Incident Management System – Principles and Practice

Along with seven nationally recognized practitioners in the fire service, EMS, emergency management, and law enforcement fields, Christen wrote the book to outline the core components of the federally mandated National Incident Management System (NIMS), which includes incident management, resource management, multiagency coordination systems, information management, and intelligence/investigations. In addition, a chapter is devoted to the new National Response Framework (NRF).

Dr. Christen is a former battalion chief with the Atlanta Fire Department with subsequent experience directing emergency management operations, earned an EdD degree from the University of West Florida.