S.F.
Crews stage fake terrorist attack at Transamerica
http://www.examiner.com/a-830097~Livesaving_crews_train_at_Transamerica.html
The Transamerica Pyramid was used as a staging area to practice hazmat, Army and SFFD biohazard techniques to contain potential biochemical terrorist attacks, such as anthrax.
SAN FRANCISCO -
Firefighters, National Guard troops and emergency workers descended on the Transamerica Pyramid on Sunday to practice saving lives and untangling communication during a hypothetical terrorist attack.
About 200 people took part in the half-day simulation of a chemical agent attack on The City’s most recognizable building, officials said. Volunteers painted with faux blood and covered with soup made to look like vomit were shuttled to safety and given medical aid.
The drill was the second this year and utilized homeland security funds, San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Ken Smith said. A similar drill on Feb. 27 tested emergency preparedness at AT&T Park. Training for potential terrorist attacks is very different from training to respond to other kinds of emergencies, Smith said. Coordinated communication is essential, and practice is critical.
"We’re so used to going in and taking care of the problem. That’s our style. In this instance, we have to pull back and call in our resources," Smith said.
The drill kicked off with a dramatic call to authorities — a silver sport utility vehicle packed with chemical weapons and explosives had blown up in the parking garage of the 853-foot office building.
Responding firefighters found multiple casualties and called in the hazardous materials team. When the team couldn’t identify the chemicals used in the attack, the California National Guard was alerted.
"It sounds complicated, but it would probably take two to three minutes to make those calls," said Lt. Donald Nodora of the Guard’s 95th Civil Support Team.
Based in Hayward, the team assesses chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents in its mobile lab, advises local authorities and decontaminates victims. Its Unified Command Suite — a mobile unit that resembles a delivery truck — can patch into virtually any communication system in the world to coordinate with other emergency workers. The Transamerica building was chosen for Sunday’s drill based on the building management’s cooperation and the challenges of coordinating a mass rescue in a high-rise office building, Smith said.
Deputy Bill Havlic, western states commander of the Civil Support Readiness Directorate under Army North, based out of San Antonio, said the exercise wasn’t based on a specific threat against the Transamerica Pyramid. Any recognizable structure in a city becomes a natural target, however, he said.
"Destroy something that nobody cares about and nobody is going to care. Destroy the Pyramid or the Golden Gate Bridge, and you’ll get attention," Havlic said.
The Transamerica Pyramid removed its public observation deck following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to building management
Homeland Security Sees Lasers and Heart Sensors in the Future of Anti-Terror Screening
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/07/homeland-secu-2.html
The cutting-edge tech folks at Homeland Security don't like screening lines that have x-ray machines any more than you do. That's because they seek x-rays as something shoe salesmen used to use measure your foot size. X-rays aren't sexy. Lasers are cooler. Add some machine learning and you might get close to cool enough for these guys.
That’s why the Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA) wants to build a system that fuses information from remote eye, heart, breath and brain sensors and lasar radar to decide if you are a terrorist before letting you on that flight to LAs Vegas. The fuser will be the brains of the Future Attribute Screening Technology Project.
And HSARPA wants the fuser to be a wicked smart learner. The group is so intent on bringing on the future, it is currently soliciting information from outside groups in hopes of making it show up faster. (Cont..)
Cory Named to Lead General Dynamics Robotic Systems
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NEM12416072007-1.htm
WESTMINSTER, Md., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Land Systems announced today that Philip Cory, 46, has been appointed General Dynamics Robotic Systems senior director and vice president reporting to Mark Roualet, General Dynamics Land Systems senior vice president and chief operating officer. General Dynamics Robotic Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics .
Cory is responsible for managing all aspects of Robotic Systems. Initially he will work closely with Scott Myers, who was one of the founders of the company in 1991 and most recently served as president of Robotics Systems. Myers is transitioning into a senior staff position and will report to Mike Bolon, General Dynamics Land Systems senior vice president of engineering design and development.
Cory joined Robotics Systems in 1991 after working as an electrical engineer for eight years. He has held several key program management positions at the company, including program manager for the Demo III and Vetronics Technology Integration (VTI) programs. He most recently served as the program director for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) program. He holds a bachelor's of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in computer engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
In addition, Kevin Bonner, 42, has been appointed General Dynamics Land Systems director of engineering for Robotic Systems, reporting to both Cory and Bolon. He will be responsible for all engineering activity, including technology development for current and future robotic programs. Bonner replaces Mark Del Giorno, who has been named chief scientist. In his new role, Del Giorno will continue to support technology development at General Dynamics Robotic Systems.
Bonner joined General Dynamics Robotic Systems in 1991 as a senior electrical and software engineer. He has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including program manager of the Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance (RCTA) and program director for Future Force Warrior (FFW). Most recently, Bonner played a lead role in engineering and technology activities for General Dynamics Robotic Systems. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Drexel University.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 82,600 people worldwide and had 2006 revenues of $24.1 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.
Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems names executives to lead Human Resources and Information Systems
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NEM11316072007-1.htm
July 16, 2007: 02:31 PM EST
GARLAND, Texas, July 16, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has appointed John S. Malanowski vice president, Human Resources and James R. McCoy vice president and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of its Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) business. Both executives report to IIS President Michael D. Keebaugh.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/NEM113-a
As vice president of Human Resources, Malanowski is responsible for setting the strategic direction for all IIS human resources operations and initiatives, including talent management, leadership development, and diversity. Malanowski, a six-year veteran of Raytheon, brings more than 25 years of human resources management and leadership experience to IIS.
Malanowski most recently served as vice president of talent acquisition and corporate human resources at Raytheon Company's Global Headquarters, Waltham, Mass. Previously he held human resources executive positions with a variety of other companies including Engage Media (a subsidiary of CMGI Inc.), Fidelity Investments, Aetna Life and Casualty, and Phillips Petroleum Co. He holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York and a master's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University.
As CIO, McCoy is responsible for ensuring that IIS has the advanced information systems capabilities, capacity, effectiveness and efficiency to support the IIS business. Prior to joining IIS, McCoy was with Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) headquarters, Tewksbury, Mass., where he most recently served as director of wide area surveillance and space situational awareness programs. With 22 years experience, he has advanced his career through successive positions of increasing responsibility in the company's engineering, operations, supply chain management, information technology, product assurance and program management disciplines. He holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a master's degree of Business Administration from Boston University.
"Both John and Jim are proven innovators and creative leaders with unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our business today," said IIS President Michael D. Keebaugh. "Their expertise, leadership and vision will help ensure that Raytheon IIS is at the forefront of the industry."
Based in Garland, Texas, Raytheon IIS is a leading provider of information and intelligence solutions to the government. Raytheon IIS has annual revenues of approximately $2.6 billion and employs more than 9,000 engineering and technical professionals worldwide. Raytheon IIS achieved a strategic milestone in earning CMMI(R) (Capability Maturity Model Integration) Maturity Level 3 accreditation for the full model scope (System Engineering, Software Engineering, Integrated Product and Process Development, and Supplier Sourcing) across its enterprise.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide
