September 2011
Features
By Anthony Incorvati
When your course curriculum includes 276 days at sea, it’s obvious that your college experience will be a little different from the average undergrad. Living off campus takes on a whole new meaning, and sleeping through just one class might lead to a false step into the open ocean. Training to become a merchant marine officer is serious work, and the Great Lakes Maritime Academy has been effectively preparing its cadets on the shores of Lake Michigan for more than 40 years.
By Laura Williams
Given the myriad options businesses have when choosing mass notification systems, we set out to find what factors system managers should take into account when they select a solution.
By Kim Rahfaldt
The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 required the Department of Homeland Security to secure America’s ports by implementing regulations that prevents most individuals from having unescorted access to secure facilities and vessels. The law mandates that all individuals who qualify for unescorted access receive a biometric credential to show proof of identification. Born from this directive was the Transportation Workers Identity Credential (TWIC), issued to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements.
By Mark S. Wilson
The vital role oil refineries play in the world’s economy has put hydrocarbon and petrochemical facilities atop terrorist lists of potential targets. Additionally, refinery officials typically want to keep a critical eye on each strategic component within their facilities.
By Beth Welch
Beverly Hills, Calif., has been glamorized in countless film and television depictions as the home of the wealthy and famous. Beyond the glamour, though, it has municipal management issues much like those any city faces.
By Jim Krachenfels
Industrial security has always been a challenge, with often vast areas needing coverage that is effective—and efficient. As with many other technologies, advances in electronic security and surveillance, both physical and cyber, have created new challenges as they have addressed and conquered earlier problems.
By Oliver Vellacott
The debate about so-called “open” and “closed” IP video surveillance solutions has been ongoing for some time. Each side suggests that its approach is better for the end user, with a reasonable amount of disinformation being added for good measure. To a large extent, this debate is being extinguished with the release of the ONVIF standard. However, even with this standard, defining exactly what is meant by an “open” system is still up for debate.
By Christa Poss
For the life safety community, mass notification is a relatively new concept. It arose from emergency management personnel’s inability to communicate with and direct building occupants during emergencies. Since the publication of the Unified Facilities Criteria, many U.S. military facilities throughout the world have installed mass notification systems. The criteria outlined the design, operation and interfaces required for mass notification in military facilities, and the Defense Department approved the final version for mass notification in 2008.
By Peter Ebersold
The term mass notification originated with the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) document 4-021-01, titled Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems, created by the Department of Defense (DoD). The UFC outlines the design, operation and maintenance of mass notification systems (MNSs) required on all DoD properties, including posts for the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy.
By Steve Gorski
The world of professional sports is exciting and constantly evolving. The sheer volume of events, athletes and fans, though, makes it seemingly impossible to secure the environment.
By Eric Chiu
Established in 1991, China Pacific Insurance Co. Ltd. (CPIC) is one of the largest insurance companies in China, with investment assets of $56.56 billion.