EDM Tuesday Briefing: Gunman in D.C., Kansas Wildfires, FBI/Apple, Mass Transit Security

Emergency and disaster management briefing for March 29, 2016: A gunman forces the lockdown of the U.S. Capitol Complex, wildfires in Kansas are now mostly contained, and the FBI unlocks the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone without Apple’s help.

1. A gunman [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/gunshots-reported-at-us-capitol-complex/2016/03/28/f1b961ba-f515-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html” title=”opened fire at the Capitol Visitor Center“] in Washington, D.C. yesterday, which forced a lockdown at the U.S. Capitol Complex. Police shot the gunman, who was then subsequently taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Law enforcement officials said they believe the incident to be the [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/gunshots-reported-at-us-capitol-complex/2016/03/28/f1b961ba-f515-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html” title=”act of a single person“] who has frequented the Capitol grounds before.
2. The largest fire in Kansas history [link url=”http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Kansas-Forest-Service-says-wildfire-largely-contained-373726141.html” title=”is now 80- to 90-percent contained“] (as of Monday night), although high winds could still cause problems into today. All told, the wildfires [link url=”http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Kansas-Forest-Service-says-wildfire-largely-contained-373726141.html” title=”burned at least 620 square miles in Oklahoma and Kansas“] since last week.

[relink url=”https://amuedge.com/wildfires-how-to-prepare-and-protect-homes-and-families/”]

3. The Justice Department reportedly discovered a way to [link url=”http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/29/technology/apple-iphone-fbi-justice-department-case.html” title=”unlock an iPhone without help from Apple,“] so the FBI officially [link url=”http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/03/28/apple-justice-department-farook/82354040/” title=”withdrew from its legal battle“] against Apple yesterday. In a reversal of fortunes, there are now questions as to whether the government [link url=”http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/29/technology/apple-iphone-fbi-justice-department-case.html” title=”will reveal its methods to Apple“] or choose to classify the information.

[relink url=”https://amuedge.com/privacy-vs-security-the-debate-that-cannot-end/”]

4. The recent terrorist attacks in Brussels have put a newfound emphasis on the security of transportation systems across the globe. In the U.S., House Democrats recently [link url=”https://amuedge.com/house-democrats-urge-funding-increase-for-transit-system-security/” title=”requested an increase in funding“] that could be used to build and sustain secure transit environments.

[relink url=”https://amuedge.com/house-democrats-urge-funding-increase-for-transit-system-security/”]

5. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton [link url=”http://bringmethenews.com/2016/03/26/gov-dayton-calls-for-increased-rail-safety-after-explosive-train-crash/” title=”called for increased rail safety“] after a fiery incident occurred in the state late last week when a truck carrying propane crashed with a train. Residents were forced to evacuate after the truck reportedly [link url=”http://bringmethenews.com/2016/03/26/gov-dayton-calls-for-increased-rail-safety-after-explosive-train-crash/” title=”pulled out in front of a train,“] which resulted in a collision and explosion.

[relink url=”https://amuedge.com/trains-and-train-crossings-safety-first/”]

6. Alaska’s Pavlof Volcano erupted Sunday afternoon, [link url=”http://www.cbsnews.com/news/alaska-volcanic-eruption-creates-20000-ft-ash-plume/” title=”sending an ash cloud as high as 37,000 feet“] when combined with strong winds Monday. The volcano lies about 625 miles southwest of Anchorage, and the eruption caused travel disruptions throughout the day. Alaska Airlines [link url=”http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/pavlof-eruption-alaska-village-covered-in-ash-20-flights-cancelled/38732402″ title=”canceled more than 40 flights“] due to the eruption.

Active Alaska volcano erupts, sends ash 20,000 feet into the air https://t.co/6a5jyaQRDJ pic.twitter.com/rblWwFEdPa

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 28, 2016

7. The death toll in Sunday’s suicide bombing in Pakistan [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/death-toll-in-pakistan-easter-suicide-attack-rises-to-72-authorities-vow-to-hunt-down-perpetrators/2016/03/28/037a2e18-f46a-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html” title=”rose past 70“] as officials vowed to hunt down the militant bombers who claimed responsibility for the attack. [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/death-toll-in-pakistan-easter-suicide-attack-rises-to-72-authorities-vow-to-hunt-down-perpetrators/2016/03/28/037a2e18-f46a-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html” title=”Twenty-nine< children“] are among the dead after the Easter suicide bombing targeted an amusement park in Lahore.
8. An EgyptAir flight en route to Cairo diverted to Larnaca, Cyprus after a [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/egyptair-jet-hijacked-diverted-larnaca-cyprus-n547036″ title=”hijacker claimed to have an explosive belt.“] Authorities said the incident appears to be a [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/egyptair-jet-hijacked-diverted-larnaca-cyprus-n547036″ title=”personal matter and not terrorism.“] As of this morning, only three passengers and four crew remained on the plane.
9. A Chinook helicopter crew and other rescue teams worked Monday in an attempt to [link url=”http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/rescue-under-way-for-climbers-snowshoer-on-mount-rainier/” title=”rescue a stranded climber on the slopes of Mount Rainier“] in Washington. Officials said that the climber [link url=”http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/rescue-under-way-for-climbers-snowshoer-on-mount-rainier/” title=”likely died from hypothermia“] after getting stuck in a fierce storm this weekend. Two other people stranded on the mountain during the storm were able to descend safely.
10. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel [link url=”http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-eddie-johnson-police-superintendent-met-0329-20160328-story.html” title=”named veteran officer Eddie Johnson as the new interim police superintendent“] yesterday, stating that Johnson will “restore trust and restore pride” to the department. The Chicago Police Department has been under a lot of scrutiny since [link url=”https://amuedge.com/ripple-effects-of-the-release-of-the-laquan-mcdonald-shooting-video/” title=”release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video“] in late 2015.