ErvoCom selected Damm Cellular Systems TETRA infrastructure as part of its security communications solution to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich). Apart from reliability, key factors for choosing the system were the flexibility and scalability combined with the open application programming interface (API), which allows easy integration of customized applications and external devices.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded more than $1.27 million across two universities to develop new solutions to improve the capability of organizations to understand and improve their cybersecurity control investment decisions.

Several public-safety entities conducted a pilot project that tested the use of social media data in emergency response in September. The project included collaborators from the Penn State University (PSU) College of Information Sciences’ 3C Informatics: Crisis, Community and Civic Informatics; Charleston County (South Carolina) Consolidated 9-1-1 Center; Mission Critical Partners (MCP); RapidSOS; and RapidDeploy.

Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) released a new study that looks at how utilities and communities across the country can be better prepared for disasters. Findings included the importance of cross-training exercises between utilities and emergency response personnel and the use of satellite and drone technology, along with information sharing.

DRIVER+, a demonstration project focused on innovation and resilience in crisis management, completed the second of four trials. The main goal of the second trial was to assess to which extent solutions could improve cooperation and coordination between organizations and agencies from different countries in a large-scale crisis situation.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA), the union for AT&T employees, announced a new advocacy initiative and website to increase the availability of information about the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)’s ?Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex program partnered with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to address the challenge for first responders to process large amounts of information.

The second DRIVER+ Trial will be held 22 – 26 October in France at Entente Valabre, a public civil protection support organization. The project will focus on improving interagency cooperation and coordination during a wildfire.

Siemens and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) formed a new academic partnership to provide students with the skills needed to operate and advance the nation’s energy grid.

CAD company RapidDeploy named Reinhard Ekl chief operating officer (COO).