Envisage Technologies

According to estimates from the National Fire Protection Association, there are over 1.1 million firefighters in the U.S. As of 2012, however, professional firefighters comprise the majority in only 15 percent of fire departments across the country. Approximately 70 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Volunteer firefighters are prevalent in the South and the Midwest, especially in rural areas lacking the resources to staff their departments with career firefighters. While these first responders possess skills sufficient to deal with most emergencies, there are instances when the lack of comprehensive firefighter training creates problems.

Advancing technology affords police departments the opportunity to make their operations faster and more effective. Some departments are exploring using cloud computing-data stored securely on a third-party system that is accessible instantly across remote locations-to provide digital evidence storage. Although traditional bunkers are still needed to protect physical evidence, the proliferation of digital videos, photos and other records can be easily stored on the cloud to the advantage of law enforcement agencies.

Law enforcement training requires a significant investment of resources. The time, money and manpower needed to conduct proper training practices can drain even the largest and most well-funded department. Training compliance is particularly difficult for agencies in smaller communities.

Underage drinking is a widespread problem in the U.S. Its prevalence means that law enforcement agencies across the nation must deal year-round with its repercussions. Revisiting the best ways to prevent and disarm alcohol-influenced incidents involving teenagers will allow officers to improve policing practices that keep the public safe.

To be effective, military personnel require a unique blend of physical fitness and mental toughness. Some units are improving these skills by revamping their athletic training programs.

Envisage Technologies, a Bloomington, Indiana-based software company, announced today that it is a member of the Capstone Corporation Team that was one of seven companies presented an award of the Joint Force Development Services (JFDSS) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract valued at $877 million. This contract allows Team Capstone to compete for task orders requiring training, education and exercise solutions and services in support of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, Combatant Commanders, the Military Services, U.S. Government Federal agencies, and multinational partners.

After a crime occurs, law enforcement officials move quickly to gather and react to facts as they piece together what happened. New technology hints at a future where police won't be limited by the arrow of time, allowing them to look into the past to solve the crime

During the summer and early fall, hurricanes become a major threat to a significant portion of the U.S. The combination of high winds, heavy rain and potential impact on coastlines can have far-reaching implications for communities, as was evident during storms like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Many agencies look to scientific forecasts to help prepare for natural disasters, but regardless of what these reports say, first responders must formulate plans and protocols to prepare for the worst.

Military leaders, government workers and industry professionals recognize that cybersecurity cannot be understated. Last month, many of these minds-including leaders from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)-gathered in San Diego at the C4ISR Symposium to discuss how to improve cybersecurity for the fleet. Personnel on board U.S. Navy ships must work hard to overcome technical limitations. With a significant number of older vessels failing cybersecurity checks due to outdated software, onboard systems are susceptible to a data breach-an event that could put lives and military operations at risk.

Heartbleed exposes the need for proactive cybersecurity Share this story: Despite the growing importance of cybersecurity to law enforcement, many agencies were left vulnerable to attack due to a weakness known as Heartbleed. This vulnerability was found in software used to secure a variety of websites and online applications. After the bug was disclosed, government agencies scrambled to plug the leak, just like everyone else

Crude oil is a natural material that is refined into gasoline, diesel fuel and other petrochemicals, and transported in all forms across North America. Pipelines are a common means of getting crude oil from one place to another, but rail is increasingly becoming the go-to transportation method for energy companies. This may be efficient for businesses, but it poses additional safety problems that affect civilians and first responders.

Emergency responders train for unpredictable earthquakes Emergency response agencies across the U.S. are preparing for earthquakes by focusing on past events and collaborative efforts to simulate them.

Earlier this week, the New York City Police Department asked for people to share photos of themselves posing with police officers, tagging these images on Twitter with #myNYPD. Within a few hours, a stream of images depicting police brutality dominated the hashtag timeline, and the @NYPDnews account had no immediate response. While most of the morning-after media analysis focused on the online protest and questioning the initiative itself, the fate of this particular hashtag and others like it is not sealed. The most constructive reflection at present does not dwell on past mistakes, but rather accepts the challenge of an undecided future.

Our nation's first professional learning network for first responders aspires to make access to public safety training as easy as downloading music from iTunes

From fires to active shooters, first responders must react quickly to life-threatening situations. Adrenaline and training may take over in the heat of the moment to help them survive, but afterward brave people can be left alone to deal with the emotional trauma of these events.

The annual Border Security Expo, which took place mid-March in Phoenix, brought together 72 different law enforcement agencies from around the world to interact with the largest exhibition of border security products and technology. Such innovations are making a big difference in current U.S. Border Patrol operations, as well as impacting future training and budgets.

Already tasked with many responsibilities, firefighter duties are expanding in a few cities to include more medical care. Unlike tactical medical teams, where EMTs are given tactical skills to use on the scene, this medical attention occurs after an individual has been discharged from the hospital.

For those living in remote or heavily wooded areas, wildfires threaten homes where it is difficult to fight and contain the inferno. The high temperatures and dry weather characteristic of the summer season are conditions ideal for fires to start and spread. Many emergency response organizations are embracing end-to-end disaster preparedness to ensure they are ready for wildfires well in advance of an outbreak.

American forces have not shied away from working with foreign troops. Recently, troops from the U.S. turned their attention to Africa. For the betterment of the region, the Pentagon wants to help Niger improve its military operations by training foreign forces to handle security issues. - See more at: http://www.envisagenow.com/us-works-with-foreign-troops-to-improve-training/#sthash.InAucvDG.tREFsYij.dpuf

When disaster strikes, agencies spring into action to provide aid, rescue services, medical care and other forms of emergency response. More and more, first responders are looking for help from new technology to improve their ability to save lives. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)-commonly known as drones-could become an important innovation for disaster preparedness and relief.