Unexpected Consequences
Unexpected Consequences

Author: James William Martin

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2011-09-12

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 0313393125

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In this book, interrelationships between more than 40 recent catastrophic events are explored, discussing failures of structures and machines, information technology, regulatory agencies, security designs, and more. The world is full of wonderful products and services that occasionally disappoint and even harm us. Unexpected Consequences: Why The Things We Trust Fail explores the reasons these failures occur, examining them from technological, human, and organizational perspectives. Using more than 40 recent catastrophic events to illustrate its points, the book discusses structural and machine failure, but also the often-overlooked failure of people and of systems related to such things as information technology, healthcare, and security. As the book demonstrates, faulty technology played a surprisingly small part in many of the scrutinized disasters. Author James William Martin finds cognitive factors and organizational dynamics, including ethics, are major contributors to most unexpected and catastrophic failures causing loss of life and extensive property damage. With that fresh perspective in mind, Martin is able to suggest remedies that address service failure and just may help prevent future disasters from taking place.

Critical Issues in Homeland Security
Critical Issues in Homeland Security

Author: James D. Ramsay

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-04-27

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 0429973624

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Critical Issues in Homeland Security: A Casebook encourages analytical and careful examination of practical homeland security problems through the presentation of contemporary cases involving major state or national events. Case studies demonstrate the complexity of challenges within the domain of homeland security policy and administration. Editors James D. Ramsay and Linda Kiltz carefully curated fourteen cases, all from top scholars and practitioners, to cover a broad range of legal, policy, and operational challenges within the field of homeland security. Timely and interesting cases on such issues as arctic security, the use of drones in targeted killings, cyber security, and the emergency management lessons of the 2010 Haiti earthquake give students a deeper understanding of the relationship between the theories and the practices of homeland security. Discussion questions at the end of each case and an online instructor's manual make Critical Issues in Homeland Security an even more effective learning tool for any homeland security program.

Disaster Response and Recovery
Disaster Response and Recovery

Author: David A. McEntire

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2015-02-02

Total Pages: 560

ISBN-13: 111895758X

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Provides an overview of the various types of disasters that may occur, the myriad of actors that are involved in emergency management, and the diverse theoretical frameworks from which post-disaster activities may be approached. • Includes updated chapters keeping the material fresh and accessible while incorporating recent changes in policy and new research • Highlights lessons learned from such incidents and catastrophes as: Hurricane Katrina, Earthquake in Haiti, Parking lot collapse in Miami, West Texas industrial explosion, Train wreck in Spain, Aurora movie shooting, Times Square bombing, etc. • Examines typical challenges to be expected during response efforts along with tools and techniques to enhance the ability to protect lives, reduce property damage and minimize disruption • Includes an instructor package which contains: Sample Syllabus, Teaching Suggestions, Test bank, and PowerPoints

Investigating Human Error
Investigating Human Error

Author: Barry Strauch

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2017-03-16

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13: 1317113101

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In this book the author applies contemporary error theory to the needs of investigators and of anyone attempting to understand why someone made a critical error, how that error led to an incident or accident, and how to prevent such errors in the future. Students and investigators of human error will gain an appreciation of the literature on error, with numerous references to both scientific research and investigative reports in a wide variety of applications, from airplane accidents, to bus accidents, to bonfire disasters. Based on the author's extensive experience as an accident investigator and instructor of both aircraft accident investigation techniques and human factors psychology, it reviews recent human factors literature, summarizes major transportation accidents, and shows how to investigate the types of errors that typically occur in high risk industries. It presents a model of human error causation influenced largely by James Reason and Neville Moray, and relates it to error investigations with step-by-step guidelines for data collection and analysis that investigators can readily apply as needed. This second edition of Investigating Human Error has been brought up to date throughout, with pertinent recent accidents and safety literature integrated. It features new material on fatigue, distraction (eg mobile phone and texting) and medication use. It also now explores the topics of corporate culture, safety culture and safety management systems. Additionally the second edition considers the effects of the reduction in the number of major accidents on investigation quality, the consequences of social changes on transportation safety (such as drinking and driving, cell phone use, etc), the contemporary role of accident investigation, and the effects of the prosecution of those involved in accidents.

Advances in Artificial Intelligence, Software and Systems Engineering
Advances in Artificial Intelligence, Software and Systems Engineering

Author: Tareq Ahram

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-07-03

Total Pages: 624

ISBN-13: 3030513289

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This book addresses emerging issues concerning the integration of artificial intelligence systems in our daily lives. It focuses on the cognitive, visual, social and analytical aspects of computing and intelligent technologies, and highlights ways to improve the acceptance, effectiveness, and efficiency of said technologies. Topics such as responsibility, integration and training are discussed throughout. The book also reports on the latest advances in systems engineering, with a focus on societal challenges and next-generation systems and applications for meeting them. Based on the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Software and Systems Engineering, and the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Social Computing, held on July 16–20, 2020, it provides readers with extensive information on current research and future challenges in these fields, together with practical insights into the development of innovative services for various purposes.

More Incidents That Define Process Safety
More Incidents That Define Process Safety

Author: CCPS (Center for Chemical Process Safety)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-10-14

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 1119561469

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More Incidents that Define Process Safety book describes over 50 incidents which have had a significant impact on the chemical industry as well as the basic elements of process safety. Each incident is presented in sufficient detail to gain an understanding of root causes for the event with a focus on lessons learned and the impact the incident had on process safety. Incidents are grouped by incident type including Reactive chemical; Fires; Explosions; Environmental/toxic releases; and Transportation incidents. The book also covers incidents from other industries that illustrate the safety management elements. The book builds on the first volume and adds incidents from China, India, Italy and Japan. Further at the time the first volume was being written, CCPS was developing a new generation of process safety management elements that were presented as risk based process safety; these elements are addressed in the incidents covered.

Introduction to Transportation Security
Introduction to Transportation Security

Author: Frances L. Edwards

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2024-01-22

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 1003804845

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Providing students and industry managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage the security of transportation assets, Introduction to Transportation Security, Second Edition examines: The core concepts of security, safety, and emergency management practices The integrated nature of the U.S.critical infrastructure and the threats to intermodal transportation Those federal agencies working in emergency management, hazmat response, and transportation security and their intelligence and response requirements and capabilities Cost-beneficial security strategies aimed at preventing catastrophic failures from disasters or intentional sabotage or attack in each transportation mode Transportation is the lifeline of any nation, connecting people, supporting the economy, and facilitating the delivery of vital goods and services. Past failures and terrorist attacks on such transportation systems, in the U.S. and abroad, have demonstrated such systems' vulnerability, the consequences of any potential damage and disruption, as well as the substantial impacts on people, property, and the economy. Now, more than ever, it has become imperative for public transit and transportation systems, as well as the many private businesses operating in these sectors, to develop comprehensive security programs. This includes accounting for both natural and man-made hazards—and safeguarding people, places, and equipment—while at the same time ensuring operations continuity. The book covers all transportation critical infrastructure—their modes and their interconnectivity—including highway, air, freight and passenger rail, transit, maritime, and pipeline security. Chapters provide learning objectives, key words, and discussion questions pedagogical elements as well as several case studies to facilitate a practical understanding of the concepts presented. New to this edition is a chapter dedicated to gas and oil pipelines as well as an increased focus throughout of recent cyberattacks, to emphasize the need for physical and cybersecurity integration. Introduction to Transportation Security, Second Edition serves as a comprehensive, practical overview for students in transportation management, homeland security, and emergency management programs as well as an up-to-date reference for professionals charged with safeguarding the movement of assets within our interconnected transportation network.

The Newsom Nightmare
The Newsom Nightmare

Author: John H. Cox

Publisher: Post Hill Press

Published: 2023-11-14

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13:

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In a time when American politics is at its lowest ebb, and when political leadership is notably absent across the ideological spectrum, one politician stands apart as a particularly unfortunate exemplar of everything that is wrong with our national leadership. Gavin Newsom. In this detailed and infuriating exposé of how big money has corrupted the political process at every level of society, businessman and philanthropist John Cox uses Newsom’s career to analyze how and why the system operates as it does. Politicians are bought and paid for by moneyed interests; media coverage is determined, first and foremost, by financial concerns; and the average citizen is fully disenfranchised from determining electoral or policy outcomes. And nowhere is this more evident—with tragic results—than in Gavin Newsom’s collapsing California. The cost of living is out of control; a homelessness epidemic is on the rise; there’s a shortage of housing, water, and energy; crime rates are at an all-time high; wildfires cause devastation at alarming rates each year; and high taxes make it nearly impossible to start a small business. We’re beginning to see these trends spread throughout the United States. As the old saying goes, “as goes California, so goes the nation.” Our system must be reformed. This book doesn’t just lay out the problems; it posits a workable and easy to implement solution that will work to get this country—and California—back on track. In The Newsom Nightmare, Cox deftly and succinctly provides an alternative that would, if implemented, put the American body politic back on solid ground.

A Compendium of Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents
A Compendium of Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents

Author: Richard A. Ranous

Publisher: Transportation Research Board

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 0309258766

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"TRB's Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) Report 9: A Compendium of Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents explores how local communities can develop or improve recovery planning and operations in response to hazardous materials transportation incidents"--Publisher's description.