Our opt-in IT'S A DISASTER! monthly e-newsletter shares ideas and stories, new program and product announcements, and other tidbits of data.

We’re always looking for stories from agencies, volunteer groups, schools and others and we’ll be happy to announce new books that might be of interest to our readers. If you have any news, ideas or feedback you’d like to share, please email info@itsadisaster.net

This month's topics:

  IN THE SPOTLIGHT: RubyWATCH
  ON THE BOOKSHELF
  HOMELAND TV AWARD WINNER
  WEB STUFF
  DID YOU KNOW...
  COOL LINKS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: RubyWATCH

New database reporting system being provided free of charge to all government agencies and officials, state licensed private detectives and security agencies, etc.

The Homeland Security Foundation of America (HSFA) recently announced the launch of its RubyWATCH system, slated to help law enforcement and security practitioners prevent loss of life and property from terrorist attacks and routine crime.

RubyWATCH is web-based and built on technology developed for HSFA's project STAN or Strategic Terrorism Analysis Network, which uses artificial intelligence to simulate patterns of behavior and tactics of terrorists. HSFA officials say RubyWATCH is a logical extension of STAN, empowering citizens to join the fight against terrorists and criminals from the safety of their homes. At a time when the economy has been the worst in decades, HSFA emerges with a viable response to the recent rise in terrorist and criminal activity in America, giving investigators an edge and the public a fighting chance.

"RubyWATCH is a just one way we're leveraging a growing web presence to improve safety and security," said Eric Brown, President, HSFA. "Recent tragedies like the Fort Hood incident and other attacks, including the Christmas Day airline security breach, underscore the need for us to increase our awareness and preparedness. Law enforcement's already taking tips via email, which frankly some messages are simply hard to make out. We're offering a system that can improve the accuracy of tips received and add significant value at no cost to the agency. With citizens and neighborhood watch groups taking advantage of RubyWATCH, I'm confident investigators will find using the reporting system more efficient than sifting through emails. Whether you're campus police using the system to identify trends or Border Patrol tracking suspicious vehicles that come into the country, RubyWATCH can be a very effective tool in the right hands."

HSFA continues to maintain a strong position on privacy protection and preserving Americans' civil liberties. RubyWATCH restricts all tipsters' input to non-sensitive data, and its Anonymous Tip Submission Standard (ATSS) ranks at the top of the list of "must have" features for any tipster system. Authorized agencies have encrypted access to a secure console, which allows them to generate custom reports on demand. The system accepts nearly any combination of search parameters, including the date a tip was submitted, descriptions of persons and vehicles, behaviors, location types, names and more. Reports can be saved for future 1-click viewing, and there's also a Google-style keyword search. In addition, authorities can post bulletins that direct tips to a specific investigation, property or person of interest.

"We hope RubyWATCH will help bridge the gap between authorities and the public and empower citizens to get involved in hometown and homeland security," said Brown. For citizens, the tip submission interface is feature-rich, fast and easy to navigate. And, for agencies, the national database and custom reporting gives them access to a wider range of tips.

"I think we're breaking new ground here, and not just on technology," said Keith Preusse, Chief of Investigations, HSFA National Investigation Services Division (NISD). "Our RubyWATCH ACE program allows civilians to participate in unique ways. Also, anyone can volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation."

RubyWATCH is available online now and can be accessed by visiting http://rubywatch.hsfamerica.org. HSFA officials say access to the database reporting system will be provided free of charge to all government agencies and officials, state licensed private detectives and security agencies, and other HSFA authorized users. RubyWATCH was created, developed, and is provided, managed and supported by HSFA. RubyWATCH is made possible by generous contributions from BroadRiver Communications, tax-deductible donations from people across America, and grants from foundations, corporations and government agencies.

To learn more about RubyWATCH, visit http://rubywatch.hsfamerica.org. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit http://rubywatch.hsfamerica.org/Donate.aspx
 
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ON THE BOOKSHELF

We formed a new division called Fedhealth Fiction (FF) late-2009 and are extremely proud to announce the action thriller, Primal Deity: The Chaos Engine, is now available. This is the first of 5 novels in the Primal Deity series by author Allen Ozark.

Ozark stated one of the reasons he loves the series is the main character, even with her hot temper and all her flaws, is real and people connect with her right off the bat.
 
"With Alex, there's a lot she's dealing with in her life people can identify with, whether you're a biracial child, a woman in a male dominated field, or you're trying to balance a rocky personal life with a demanding career", said Ozark. "Now I can't tell you she always does the right thing -- sometimes she makes some extremely bad calls -- but she has a big heart and a good soul."

The story explodes when former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer, Denise Alexandria Southerland, takes a job she doesn’t want, but can’t refuse, in one of America’s most violent cities, plagued with crime and corruption. Veteran FBI Agent (and Zombie Squad leader) David Chandler is losing ground as his team investigates a series of brutal murders involving young girls. After exhausting all other options, and against his better judgment, Chandler puts Southerland on the case, and she goes deep undercover to flush out a psychopathic killer that can’t be tracked through conventional means. Will she find this maniac before he strikes again, or …

...Thus begins the epic Primal Deity saga.

Learn more and order your copy today at http://www.primaldeity.com/ 

ISBN: 9781930131934
$15.00 U.S.
328 pages
Publisher: FF

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HOMELAND TV AWARD WINNER

Griffith Corp. Chairman and CEO Alysyn Bourque announced this week that Fedhealth was named a winner of the 2009-2010 Homeland TV Award.

"Our recipients, like last year, are just outstanding and dedicated to this country and our security", said Bourque, "The Homeland TV Awards is our small way of saying thank you to them and showing our appreciation for everything they do".

The 2010 Homeland TV Award Winners are:

  Bill & Janet Liebsch (FedHealth.net) for Emergency & Disaster Preparedness

  Gary Aminoff (Aminoff & Com.) for Security in Business

  Steven Emerson (Investigative Project on Terrorism) for Counter-Terrorism Excellence

  Don Zinn and WATCHDOGS for Security & Excellence in Social Networking

Each recipient will receive a Certificate and the Homeland TV Award this summer. The recipients will also be featured in a tribute video that will begin airing daily on Homeland TV and available on demand at Homeland TV Network.

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WEB STUFF

Prepper Links: Check out some books, sites, blogs and vendors with preparedness and survival products, services and resources. Learn more

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DID YOU KNOW…

... Al Qaeda is planning a new stage in its terror campaign by inserting ‘surgical bombs’ inside people?!  Security sources said the explosives would be detonated by the bomber using a hypodermic syringe to inject TATP through their skin into the explosives sachet. Experts fear body-bombers could pretend to be diabetics injecting themselves on airliners, [subways] or buses in order to prevent anyone stopping their suicide missions. Source: Daily Mail via NTARC

... a recent war game simulating the National Security Council’s response to a cyber attack highlighted the U.S.’ serious vulnerability to such an attack?! Source: The Heritage Foundation:National Security blog

... a new study by security firm Trusteer found that 73% of web users take their online banking password and use it at other Web sites?! And about half of all consumers utilize the same banking password and user name at other sites. Source: MSNBC Red Tape Chronicles

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COOL LINKS / IDEAS

Chasing4Life educators present over 800 programs nationwide on subjects ranging from tornado safety to environmental issues and climate change, from the importance of home disaster kits to agro-terrorism threat mitigation. www.chasing4life.org

Mixes from the Heartland provides pre-packaged and customized gluten free foods for short and long-term storage. www.mixesfromtheheartland.com

The Prepper Podcast showcases the American Preppers Network along with partner prepper and survival blogs. Listen to exclusive interviews with your favorite preparedness bloggers. http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prepper-podcast/id329508645


Got a cool link or idea? Email it to Janet at info@itsadisaster.net

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And if you have any news or ideas you’d like to share, please email info@itsadisaster.net

Stay safe (& healthy) out there, j & B

Bill & Janet Liebsch
Fedhealth
7739 E Broadway Blvd # 416
Tucson, AZ 85710-3947 USA
1-888-999-4325 7a-4p Pacific M-F
http://www.itsadisaster.net



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