It has recently been announced that University College Cork will be holding a special All Hazards Forensic conference from November 27th - 28th 2018. Registration for the event will be available from June 2018, see https://www.ucc.ie/en/chemistry/ahfc2018/ for further details.

The All Hazard Forensic conference is a spin off conference series that has been established from the FP7 project GIFT. The successful interrogation of evidence either at a crime scene contaminated with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agents, or of the agents themselves back at the lab, is an absolutely vital part of CBRN defence.

Announced on May 29th, W. L. Gore & Associates’ Protective Fabrics Division has expanded its line of certified products for emergency responders with the addition of the Ruggedized Class 3 suit made of GORE® CHEMPAK® selectively permeable fabric.

The suit, manufactured and distributed by Blauer, ertified to NFPA1994, Class 3R and NFPA 1992 Standards (2018 Edition). The suit’s ruggedized construction makes it ideal for extended CBRN responses that include tactical entry or search & rescue missions for several reasons.

A UK company, with a base in Huddersfield, is pioneering the development and manufacture of compact, technically-advanced electronic devices that detect and monitor radiation. The devices, similar in size and cost to a smartphone, are being sold around the world and the firm’s close research links with the town’s University have helped ensure that they remain at the leading edge of the technology.

Epiguard announced today that, in conjunction with the Norwegian Government, they will be deploying three EpiShuttles to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the WHO´s response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

The EpiShuttle single-patient units have been developed in Norway by EpiGuard and make it possible to treat infected people while transporting them safely to isolation wards. In addition, a team of specialists from the Oslo University Hospital CBRN unit will give essential training in using the equipment.

US Nuclear Corp announced today that they have signed a worldwide sales representative and resale agreement with Electronic Sensor Technology Inc. giving US Nuclear non-exclusive rights to sell the revolutionary, high-speed zNose®chemical sniffers.

The zNose®chemical sniffers use advanced Surface Acoustic Wave sensors and ultra-fast gas chromatography to separate and analyze vapor samples in near real-time. The patented technology detects all compounds within an odor to provide a complete chemical profile, and the software includes an expandable library of over 700 chemicals and odor signatures, allowing the zNose to recognize virtually any target odor.

New Study by CDC finds \"Only 5% Peracetic Acid consistently reduced EBOV titers in dried blood\"

Treating patients with the Ebola virus (EBOV) is difficult and dangerous. Ebola virus patients can expel several liters of bodily fluids in a day. Every surface they touch can be a source of further virus transmission. Healthcare workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to guard against accidental exposure, but that PPE can be contaminated by bodily fluids including dried blood.

Both the PPE and other surfaces must be completely decontaminated. But many of the decontamination solutions currently used by HAZMAT crews including bleach are not always effective against EBOV. In addition, bleach and many other decontamination solutions are corrosive and can easily damage PPE and sensitive equipment used by healthcare workers.

The opening of its first office in Larbert, Scotland on 2 May 2018 signalled the start of even bigger things within the global defence market for specialty CBRN apparel brand, OPEC CBRNe.

With more than 100 key influencers and suppliers, trade representatives and key international decision makers in attendance, the opening indicates OPEC CBRNe’s commitment to a British production base, and its strong affiliation with Haven Protective Solutions, where OPEC CBRNe now shares an address.

LION, the largest family-owned manufacturer of first responder personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States, recently launched their new RedZone™ Contaminant Control Package to help firefighters reduce their exposure to fire-related carcinogens. Developed in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Technology Directorate (S&T) and the North Carolina State University Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC), the launch of this groundbreaking turnout ensemble has been highly-anticipated.

Endeavor Robotics announced on May 7th that the U.S. Marine Corps had awarded them a $10 million contract for the company’s lightweight, battle-proven FirstLook® robots.

This latest award follows two other contracts, worth around $24 million, for Endeavor to supply the Marines with the company's 'back-packable' SUGV robot.

“FirstLook is a small robot with a big technology punch,” said Endeavor Robotics President Tom Frost. “It gives the Marine Corps an advanced, multi-mission robot that’s rugged, easy to carry, and offers greater communications range through superior networked radios.”

The Fido® X2 from FLIR Systems is a handheld explosives trace detector featuring field-proven TrueTrace® technology enabling it to detect a broad range of homemade, commercial, and military explosives with best-in-class sensitivity.

Weighing less than 700 grams the Fido X2 is a truly portable device designed for use at security checkpoints during long periods of high alert. The Fido X2 provides the perfect tool for screening vehicles and personal belongings for explosives residue that might indicate contact with explosives. With full analysis provided in ten seconds or less, security personnel can quickly and accurately screen for threats to mass transit, sporting arenas, and critical infrastructure with confidence.

Safety solutions provider Survitec is showcasing the launch of the newly designed, rapidly inflating SONICS Milpod at the 12th annual Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) show in Amman, Jordan on the 7-10th May 2018.

The show will provide a showcase for Survitec’s CBRN range of products including the Bio Skin and Bio Shell protective suits, with the MilPod personal isolation chamber set to take pride of place.

First Line Technology congratulates its technology transfer partner, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) on winning the Federal Laboratories Consortium Excellence in Technology Transfer Award for 2018. A research team at Dahlgren led by Chris Hodge developed the decontamination solution which is fast, environmentally friendly, easily transportable, and performs better than existing contaminants.