New System Aimed to Aid Fire Fighters; Protestors, Delegates Clash in NYC; U.S. Clients Pressure Vendors in India to Tighten Security

New System Aimed to Aid Fire Fighters

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has received more than $1 million in grants from the Department of Homeland Security and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to developo a system that will track “close call” incidents in the fire service (those incidents that do not lead to physical harm, but could have were it not for a fortunate break). According to a story in Government Technology, that although technology and equipment have improved over the years, fire fighter death and injury rates have remained the same. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that for every 100 incidents of injury, 1 million “close call” incidents go unreported. The system will be similar to the near-miss system used by the airline industry. Over the 25 years that the near-miss system has been in use, there are statistics that show tacking near-miss incidents has significantly decreased the number of aviation injuries and deaths.

For more details, read the full article in Government Technology.

Protestors, Delegates Clash in NYC

Things are beginning to turn a little ugly at the Republican National Convention. After a day of relatively peaceful protests, some demonstrators are beginning to antagonize and agitate convention delegates, according to a story in The New York Times. Because of the heavy police protection at Madison Square Garden, anarchists have decided to hit delegates at their hotels, breakfasts, parties and on the streets. The Times reports that anarchists are using text messaging to alert each other where and when delegates are gathering. Police expect more potential conflicts Tuesday, which has been designated by protestors as a day of “nonviolent civil disobedience and direct action”

For more details, read the full article in The New York Times.

U.S. Clients Pressure Vendors in India to Tighten Security

Data security and privacy used to be an afterthought when companies began outsourcing application development and other IT services to India. Now, it’s part of the RFP process, according to a story in Computerworld (a sister company of CXO Media). In addition to physically fortifying their offices, Indian vendors are being more explicit and formal in developing their security controls. New regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies have created a regulatory environment that extends offshore as well, according to the story.

For more details, read the full article in Computerworld.