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| The University of Maine Homeland Security Lab is an inter-disciplinary group that works closely with groups having an interest in developing homeland security. The University of Maine Homeland Security Lab is dedicated to carrying out research that can help anticipate and protect against terrorist attacks and other disasters. It is also interested in the problems of the first responder. In the article Combating Terrorism at Home by Douglas J. Gillert in the Journal of Civil Defense, Winter 1998, the author describes the crisis responders by the phrase: "The brave, the few, the underequipped, the undertrained." Recent events have shown these words to be too true. We feel strongly that it is society's responsibilities to equip and train first responders so they can respond effectively to crises. Douglas Gillert also notes that combating domestic terrorism falls on the shoulders of emergency services and other municipal agencies. Unfortunately, these agencies aren't equipped or trained to handle such events. We feel that part of the landgrant mission of the University of Maine is to provide all the assistance that we can to providing security for the people of the world. We are actively working on several projects that promote homeland security. At the same time, we are actively involved in educating the public and our leaders on how best to achieve homeland security. Please explore this website to learn more about our projects and programs, as well as about other related information of interest.
ITEMS OF INTERESTWe also have new links to papers/reports and conferences/workshops that were presented in the course of activities by the Homeland Security Lab. Seminar: Potential Indications of Terrorism in Maine, May 28, 2004 Mini-Conference on Biodefense, Bioterrorism Response and Interoperability -- May 26, 2004. Click here for a comprehensive list of articles relevant to homeland security. The National Academies have released a very comprehensive study entitled Making the Nation Safer -- The Role of Science and Technology in Countering Terrorism. This study was produced by a committee headed by Lewis Branscomb. It runs 440 pages and covers many aspects of homeland security. You can buy the report or download the PDF for free or even download individual sections. If you have not seen the Branscomb report, you should click on the link above and get it. You can go to the National Academies Press to see other fascinating reports that they have produced in the area of homeland security. Generally, you can download and read the reports for free or buy printed copies. The New England State Land-Grant Universities (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) are exploring collaborations in the area of homeland security. So far two meetings have taken place, and only some general principles have been put forward. No formal actions have been taken -- stay tuned for further developments. Lewis Branscomb, mentioned in the previous paragraph, also gave a presentation at the November 12, 2002 meeting of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges entitled Threat of Terrorism: Role of State and Land-Grant Universities in Making the Nation Safer, which is worth looking at. It ties very nicely to the efforts of the New England State Land-Grant Universities to coordinate their efforts in this important area. Look at http://www.aau.edu/resources/statements.html for additional resources.
NSF Sensor Workshop Report is Now Available - (Click Here to Read it. 110 pages, 4 MB) NSF Sensor Workshop Homepage with Videos, Slides and Photos I chaired a session on homeland security at the following conference. Please join us if you can. Intelligent Data Acquisition and Advanced Computing Systems: What To Do With That Duct Tape You Bought If you are interested in being on an e-mail list for the UM Homeland Security Lab, please send your e-mail address to markov@maine.edu.
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Send mail to markov@cs.umaine.edu with
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