today’s news and information gleanings from here and there!

Quote for today … “The bomb threat revealed to us that we have some weaknesses in our safety procedures.” – Comment from the Harrisburg Area Community College leader following the community college’s main campus in response to Wednesday’s bomb threat. – Lancaster Online

The preparedness cycle

• The time to find out about emergency plans is not when the emergency situation happens. Every municipality, institution, business entity and every person ought to have emergency plans for those “things that are never gonna’ happen.”

• “The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment.”

• Emergency Response Plan: “The actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. A prompt warning to employees to evacuate, shelter or lockdown can save lives. A call for help to public emergency services that provides full and accurate information will help the dispatcher send the right responders and equipment.” – Ready.gov

• Columbia’s emergency management coordinator is Jeff Helm. – Borough Website

• When paranoia builds (“Gun Industry Executives Say Mass Shootings Are Good for Business”) remember the ultra-right wingnut terrorist who killed 168 US citizens.

• An unhealthy trend – “county’s 29,542 “cost-burdened” renters impose on the local economy and housing market.” – Lancaster Online

• Make sure the “nonprofit you support does the right thing with your contribution | “Things a U.S.-based nonprofit must (and must not) do” – The Idealist

• Maybe it’s time to discontinue the tax deductions for contributing to nonprofits | “Donations to college football teams, opera companies, and rare-bird sanctuaries are eligible for the same tax deduction as a donation to a homeless shelter.” – Commonweal Magazine