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Conference Addresses Protection of First Responders
First responders and those involved with their protection gathered on
campus in October to explore the use of personal protective equipment
and new technologies to help shield emergency personnel in hazardous
situations.
Emergency medical crews, firefighters and police officers, as well as
researchers, manufacturers and government personnel who test and set
standards for personal protective equipment participated in Advanced
Personal Protective Equipment: Challenges in Protecting First Responders
at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.
The three-day conference was sponsored by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health's National Personal Protective Technology
Laboratory (NIOSH-NPPTL) and Virginia Tech's Grado Department of
Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE).
"Disaster and emergency responders today sometimes face unknown
situations because of emerging threats, such as chemical and biological
warfare, as well as more common threats such as accidents that result in
hazardous materials spills," said John Casali, Grado Professor of
Industrial and Systems Engineering and director of the Auditory Systems
Laboratory at Virginia Tech.
"The protective equipment first responders use must be safe, easy to
apply and use, guard against incident threats, and comply with
federal---and in some cases---international standards," reported Casali.
Casali initiated the conference under contract to NIOSH and organized it
in collaboration with Jeff Lancaster, research assistant professor in
the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Speakers included Philip Mattson of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Science and Technology Directorate; Robert Newman, Deputy
Assistant to Governor Mark Warner for Commonwealth Preparedness; and
Jeffrey Stull, President of International Personnel Protection, Inc..
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Philip Mattson from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security addresses
participants during the conference on Advanced Personal Protective
Equipment: Challenges in Protecting First Responders.
Topics included incident response to terrorist bombings, personal
protective equipment standards, new equipment technologies, as well as
demonstrations of equipment.
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"I have been involved with apparel PPE for the fire service for many
years, and found the conference to be at a level appropriate for
personnel with such experience. The topics were well selected and the
presenters well prepared. The facility (hotel, conference room,
catering service) was fabulous---you are fortunate to have such a place
as part of your university."
Ron Fornatora, Montgomery County (MD)
Fire and Rescue Service
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John Casali (right), Grado Professor of Industrial and Systems
Engineering, and conference exhibitors discuss equipment and new
technologies for protecting first responders.
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