Report from Ground Zero


Book Description

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, forever altered the American landscape, both figuratively and literally. Immediately after the jets struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center, Dennis Smith, a former firefighter, reported to Manhattan’s Ladder Co. 16 to volunteer in the rescue efforts. In the weeks that followed, Smith was present on the front lines, attending to the wounded, sifting through the wreckage, and mourning with New York’s devastated fire and police departments. This is Smith’s vivid account of the rescue efforts by the fire and police departments and emergency medical teams as they rushed to face a disaster that would claim thousands of lives. Smith takes readers inside the minds and lives of the rescuers at Ground Zero as he shares stories about these heroic individuals and the effect their loss had on their families and their companies. “It is,” says Smith, “the real and living history of the worst day in America since Pearl Harbor.” Written with drama and urgency, Report from Ground Zero honors the men and women who—in America’s darkest hours—redefined our understanding of courage.




Computer and Information Security Handbook


Book Description

Presents information on how to analyze risks to your networks and the steps needed to select and deploy the appropriate countermeasures to reduce your exposure to physical and network threats. Also imparts the skills and knowledge needed to identify and counter some fundamental security risks and requirements, including Internet security threats and measures (audit trails IP sniffing/spoofing etc.) and how to implement security policies and procedures. In addition, this book covers security and network design with respect to particular vulnerabilities and threats. It also covers risk assessment and mitigation and auditing and testing of security systems as well as application standards and technologies required to build secure VPNs, configure client software and server operating systems, IPsec-enabled routers, firewalls and SSL clients. This comprehensive book will provide essential knowledge and skills needed to select, design and deploy a public key infrastructure (PKI) to secure existing and future applications.* Chapters contributed by leaders in the field cover theory and practice of computer security technology, allowing the reader to develop a new level of technical expertise* Comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of security issues facilitates learning and allows the reader to remain current and fully informed from multiple viewpoints* Presents methods of analysis and problem-solving techniques, enhancing the reader's grasp of the material and ability to implement practical solutions







The Shadow Factory


Book Description

James Bamford has been the preeminent expert on the National Security Agency since his reporting revealed the agency’s existence in the 1980s. Now Bamford describes the transformation of the NSA since 9/11, as the agency increasingly turns its high-tech ears on the American public. The Shadow Factory reconstructs how the NSA missed a chance to thwart the 9/11 hijackers and details how this mistake has led to a heightening of domestic surveillance. In disturbing detail, Bamford describes exactly how every American’s data is being mined and what is being done with it. Any reader who thinks America’s liberties are being protected by Congress will be shocked and appalled at what is revealed here.




Last Man Down


Book Description

A first responder’s harrowing account of 9/11—the inspirational true story of an American hero who gave nearly everything for others during one of New York City’s darkest hours. On September 11, 2001, FDNY Battalion Chief Richard “Pitch” Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes, he was at Ground Zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burn—and then to buckle. A veteran of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, Picciotto was eerily familiar with the inside of the North Tower. And it was there that he concentrated his rescue efforts. It was in its smoky stairwells where he heard and felt the South Tower collapse. He made the call for firemen and rescue workers to evacuate, while he stayed behind with a skeleton team of men to help evacuate a group of disabled and infirm civilians. And it was in the rubble of the North Tower where Picciotto found himself buried—for more than four hours after the building’s collapse.




Pentagon 9/11


Book Description

The most comprehensive account to date of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and aftermath, this volume includes unprecedented details on the impact on the Pentagon building and personnel and the scope of the rescue, recovery, and caregiving effort. It features 32 pages of photographs and more than a dozen diagrams and illustrations not previously available.




The Economics of Waste


Book Description

In this concise, engaging, and provocative work, Richard Porter introduces readers to the economic tools that can be applied to problems involved in handling a diverse range of waste products from business and households. Emphasizing the impossibility of achieving a zero-risk environment, Porter focuses on the choices that apply in real world decisions about waste. Acknowledging that effective waste policy integrates knowledge from several disciplines, Porter focuses on the use of economic analysis to reveal the costs of different policies and therefore how much can be done to meet goals to protect human health and the environment. With abundant examples, he considers subjects such as landfills, incineration, and illegal disposal. He discusses the international trade in waste, the costs and benefits of recycling, and special topics such as hazardous materials, Superfund, and nuclear waste. While making clear his belief that not every form of waste presents the same amount of risk, Porter stresses the need for open-minded approaches to developing new policies. For students, policymakers, and general readers, he provides insight and accessibility to a subject that others might leave out-of-sight, out-of-mind, or buried under an impenetrable prose of statistics and jargon.




9/11: Mental Health in the Wake of Terrorist Attacks


Book Description

Does terrorism have a unique and significant emotional and behavioral impact among adults and children? In what way does the impact of terrorism exceed the individual level and affect communities and specific professional groups, and test different leadership styles? How were professional communities of mental health clinicians, policy-makers and researchers mobilized to respond to the emerging needs post disaster? What are the lessons learned from the work conducted after 9/11, and the implications for future disaster mental health work and preparedness efforts? Yuval Neria and his team are uniquely placed to answer these questions having been involved in modifying ongoing trials and setting up new ones in New York to address these issues straight after the attacks. No psychiatrist, mental health professional or policy-maker should be without this book.




Out of the Shadow of 9/11


Book Description

Out of the Shadow of 9/11 is a little-told story of the collateral damage of September 11. As a veteran tour guide and longtime local six blocks from Ground Zero, Christina Ray Stanton shares an intimate journey of the harrowing event. Through her road to physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery, you'll find your own inspiration in tough times.




Introduction to Homeland Security, Third Edition


Book Description

Introduction to Homeland Security, Third Edition provides the latest developments in the policy and operations of domestic security efforts of the agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This includes the FBI, Secret Service, FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA and numerous other federal agencies responsible for critical intelligence, emergency response, and the safety and security of U.S. citizens at home and abroad. Changes in DHS and domestic security are presented from pre-September 11, 2001 days, to include the formation of DHS under President George W. Bush, all the way through to the current administration. Through this, the many transformative events are looked at through the lens of DHS’s original establishment, and the frequent changes to the various agencies, organization, reporting structure, funding, and policies that have occurred since. This new edition is completely updated and includes coverage of topics relevant to homeland security operations not covered in any other text currently available. This includes highlighting the geopolitical context and the nature of global terrorism—and their implications—specifically as they relate to threats to the United States. Partnerships and collaboration with global allies are highlighted in the context of their relevance to international trade, domestic policies, training, and security. The book ends with a look at emerging threats and potential new, creative solutions—and initiatives in-process within the government—to respond to and address such threats. Key Features: Explores the history and formation of the Department of Homeland Security, recent developments, as well as the role and core missions of core agencies within DHS Outlines man-made threats, intelligence challenges, and intra-agency communication, planning, and operations Looks critically at the role of geopolitical dynamics, key international allies, and their influence on domestic policy and decision-making Covers the latest developments in programs, legislation, and policy relative to all transportation and border security issues Examines current issues and emerging global threats associated with extremism and terrorism Addresses natural and man-made disasters and the emergency management cycle in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering from such events Introduction to Homeland Security, Third Edition remains the premier textbook for criminal justice, homeland security, national security, and intelligence programs in universities and an ideal reference for professionals as well as policy and research institutes.