Columbia Gas Over Pressurized Gas Distribution System Caused Explosions, Fires
Boston Strong news WASHINGTON, DC: NTSB reports The National Transportation Safety Board determined Tuesday that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ deficiencies in management and oversight led to overpressurization of a natural gas distribution system which resulted in a series of fires and explosions in Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts. The Sept. 13, 2018, accident occurred after high-pressure natural gas was released into a low-pressure gas distribution system in the northeast region…
JOINT LAB Bayer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital open innovative chronic lung disease research lab
– Investment of over USD 30 million spanning five years to research and develop new treatments for chronic lung diseases – Joint lab to broaden Bayer’s presence in the Boston ecosystem GREEN CROSS STRONG news – BERLIN GERMANY and BOSTON MA USA PRNewswire reports Bayer and Partners HealthCare’s founding members Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) today announced the launch of a joint lab…
MA Declares Public Health Emergency, Announces Temporary Four-Month Ban on Sale of All Vape Products
Boston Strong news - Boston, MA: Office of the Governor reports Governor Charlie Baker today declared a public health emergency in response to confirmed and suspected cases of severe lung disease associated with the use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products in the Commonwealth. The Governor called for a temporary four-month statewide ban on the sale of flavored and non-flavored vaping products in both retail…
Historic Occurrences – 1938 Great New England and Long Island Express Hurricane killed 682+ people
The majority of the storm damage was from storm surge and wind. The winds reached up to 150 mph with waves surging to around 25–35 feet high. Readings from the Blue Hills Observatory showed sustained winds topping 120 miles per hour, with a gust of 186 miles per hour. The 1938 New England Hurricane (also referred to as the Great New England Hurricane and Long Island Express) was one of the deadliest and most…
‘Superagers’ over 80 have the memory and brain connectivity of 20-somethings
BOSTON STRONG news - Boston, MA: Mass General Hospital reports Research published in the journal Cerebral Cortex has shown that stronger functional connectivity — that is, communication among neurons in various networks of the brain — is linked to youthful memory in older adults. Those with superior memories – called superagers – have the strongest connectivity. The work is the second in a series of…
Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines approved at BPDA Board Meeting
Informed by Climate Ready Boston, these Guidelines promote best practices for flood resistant design measures BOSTON STRONG news BOSTON, MA: BPDA reports The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors voted to adopt the Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines at its September Board Meeting yesterday. The Guidelines build on Climate Ready Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s ongoing initiative to help Boston plan for the…
Residents Encouraged to Prepare During Emergency Preparedness Month
FRAMINGHAM, MA: Office of the Gov reports — Governor Charlie Baker has proclaimed September 2019 as Emergency Preparedness Month to encourage individuals and families to prepare for emergencies and disasters. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the American Red Cross in Massachusetts, together with their partners will promote emergency preparedness throughout the month through various outreach initiatives. These efforts are…
Hurricane Safety Tips
MA Emergency Management Agency reports - Boston, MA: Both Tropical Storms (with winds above 39 mph) and Hurricanes (winds above 74 mph) can have deadly coastal storm surge and cause significant damage. What Are Hurricanes? Hurricanes are a rotating low-pressure tropical weather ; Systems with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph…
ICE HSI, ERO in Boston supports Federal coordination for 2019 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
BOSTON STRONG news - ICE reports - Boston, MA: Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) personnel in Boston provided critical support as part of a federal, state and local law enforcement security effort, implemented for the “2019 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,” held along the Boston Esplanade on July 3 and 4. The Independence Day fireworks display and…
Hurricane Season Preparedness
MEMA HQ reports - 2019 Hurricane Season Begins June 1st marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season which runs through November 30th. While the majority of tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted New England occurred during the months of August and September, now is the time to begin preparing yourself, your family, your home, and your business. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric…
BOSTON STRONG Lower Atlantic EVAC ZONES – Hurricane Preparedness – Evacuate Politely Before or When Told to Leave. Superstorm Sandy’s Atlantic strike killed over 233 people by drowning, impalement, crushing or Poisoning by odorless fumes from misuse of gas generators.
National Hurricane Preparedness Week WASHINGTON, DC: The White House reports – During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I encourage all Americans living in hurricane-prone areas to take the measures necessary to safeguard their families, homes, and businesses. As a Nation, we are sadly too familiar with the destructive force of hurricanes. To help prevent and mitigate hurricane-related harm, it is critically important that we prepare for…
Baker-Polito Administration Names Samantha Phillips as MEMA Director
BOSTON, MA: Office of the Governor reports ;— The Baker-Polito Administration has named emergency management expert Samantha Phillips as the new director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the state agency that works to ensure the state is prepared to withstand, respond to and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters. She will succeed outgoing Director Kurt Schwartz, who has spent 30 years in public…
TRANSFORMATIVE PLAN TO CREATE RESILIENT, OPEN BOSTON HARBOR UNVEILED. – Would a $2.62 per BEER FLOW SURGE tax cover the project ?
"Resilient Boston Harbor" lays out strategies along Boston's 47-mile shoreline that will increase access and open space along the waterfront while better protecting the City. Mayor Martin J. Walsh today rolled out a comprehensive and transformative vision that will invest in Boston's waterfront to protect the City's residents, homes, jobs, and infrastructure against the impacts of rising sea level and climate change. Announced in his…
New Large Venue Security Task Force Formed
Kraft Group Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft speaks during press conference announcing State's formation of an additional security task force for large stadiums. Photo Courtesy of the New England Patriots/Eric J. Adler Boston, MA: - Governor Baker today signed an executive order to assemble a task force of security experts who will analyze ways to augment safety and preparedness at large venues like sports stadiums,…
CITY COUNCILORS EXAMINE THE SAFETY OF BOSTON’S GAS INFRASTRUCTURE
Councilors O’Malley, Flynn, and Pressley called for a hearing to examine the safety of gas infrastructure in the City and to look at our emergency preparedness measures and plans to prevent a situation like the gas explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley from happening in Boston. Boston, MA: - City Hall release - The Councilors called for a discussion around natural gas safety features…
NATION – DUCK BOAT DISASTER 17 Tourists Killed in Missouri Lake Tragedy
Repurposed Amphibious Military Surplus Boat Sinks and Traps tour Riders. 17 of the 31 riders killed, 9 from one family. Branson, MO: A tourist filled Branson Duck Boat sank in Table Rock Lake when the tour was hit by a flash storm. The amphibious vehicle crashed into high waves taking on water. Survivors report life jackets being handed out while boat was sinking. 17 of…
NATION – National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 601 Individuals Responsible for Over $2 Billion in Fraud Losses
Largest Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action in Department of Justice History Resulted in 76 Doctors Charged and 84 Opioid Cases Involving More Than 13 Million Illegal Dosages of Opioids Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III, announced today the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including…
Historic Occurrences – Hurricane Season Opens. Are you prepared ?
The Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 - August 25, 1635. This was the first historical record of an intense hurricane striking New England, and is often considered to be “America’s first recorded natural disaster”. The highest winds have been estimated at Category 3 or greater at landfall, reaching over 115 mph. The storm’s eye is believed to have passed between Boston and Plymouth, causing at…