Founded in 2008, ISLA’s mission is to reduce the number of drownings worldwide by building a culture of water safety. Comprised of volunteer lifeguards, the organization provides training, medical supplies, disaster relief, and emergency personnel to beach communities around the world.

In November 2011, ISLA traveled to the Dominican Republic to train volunteers from various agencies within the country in lifesaving and lifeguarding techniques. As part of the initiative, ISLA conducted an intensive three-day Ocean Lifeguarding Training, which included a First Aid and CPR practical exam, physical instruction, written test, and non-buoy and buoy rescue practical exam. Twenty-nine lifeguard trainees completed the rigorous training course and received Basic ISLA Lifeguard Certification, the first professional lifeguard certification in the Dominican Republic now required for a lifeguard to become certified.

Two ISLA volunteer lifeguards will return to the Dominican Republic in late March to continue the second phase and to begin the third phase of its initiative to create permanent lifeguard agencies that guard the public and private beaches of the country.

In late March, fourteen ISLA volunteer will also conduct the first phase of its Ocean Lifeguarding Training in Nicaragua.

Thanks to local hotels and other agencies, courses and accommodations are provided to participants and ISLA instructors at no cost.

“We are excited to promote a sustainable culture of water safety in both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic with our Ocean Lifeguard Training,” said ISLA President Henry Reyes. “We look forward to serving both communities and are confident that these courses will have a positive impact.”

To learn more about ISLA’s upcoming fundraiser at the Original Roadhouse Grill, please visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ISLAsurf . Supporters will be able to download a special flyer to donate 20 percent of their bill to ISLA.

About International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA):
International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) is a non-profit focusing on reducing drownings worldwide by building a culture of water safety. ISLA provides training, medical supplies, disaster relief, and emergency personnel to beach communities around the world. Learn more at http://www.islasurf.org .

Media Contact:
Raquel Lizarraga
Manager of Public Relations
International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA).
1-949-478-4752.

News Source: International Surf Lifesaving Association :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

In early 2011, a Workers Compensation Judge found Officer James Greco innocent of the erroneous charges by Nassau County that he was defrauding the Workers Compensation system. Subsequently, his termination as a Senior Corrections Officer in the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department was overturned by an arbitrator. It was concluded that Officer Greco be awarded a three-quarters disability retirement from the New York State retirement system, in addition to retroactive back pay.

HISTORY:

Officer Greco had suffered a career-ending injury due to an assault in 2007 by an inmate. Initially the Sheriff’s Department’s own doctor deemed him injured and placed him on light duty status. Unfaltering, the Sheriff’s Department returned Greco to full duty post anyway, entirely aware that his performance would be less than capable. If Officer Greco had accepted this subjective and irrational decision, his safety and the safety of his fellow officers would be at risk.

After Greco refused to recognize the Department’s ploy to place him at a full duty post, he was suspended twice: once for a week; then again for two weeks; and was then ultimately terminated. After termination, Greco struggled to keep his house, where he lives with his wife and two young daughters. Pursuant to an arbitrator’s ruling, it was legally documented that the Sheriff’s Department did not adhere to its own policies and procedures, and that Greco was indeed, wrongfully terminated. Officer Greco should have been reinstated at his original title, but the Sheriff’s Department refused to do so, violating the arbitrator’s ruling that was two years in the making. Throughout this time, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department recklessly squandered thousands of tax payer’s dollars for needless legal fees.

Greco himself, spent tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees for almost four years, while attempting to prove his innocence. The family also faced losing their home several times however, at no time did Officer Greco accept any disbursement or settlement through the Worker’s Compensation Fund, other than for medical treatment. A neurologist’s diagnosis of Officer Greco’s injuries concluded that if another assault on him took place, the consequences could leave him a paraplegic.

While on active duty at the Nassau County Correctional Facility, Officer Greco became a staunch safety advocate for his fellow corrections officers and inmates alike. After discovering a proliferating and hazardous mold infestation in the correction facility, he promptly reported it to the Department. When no admission or action was taken by the Department, he reported it to OSHA. Following OSHA’s investigation and confirmation of the massive mold infestation, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department began to retaliate against Greco by way of discrimination and consistent persecution.

According to the Sheriff Officers Association Union Acting President, Brian Sullivan, this is not the only case where a corrections officer has been terminated and unjustifiably denied retirement status. According to Sullivan, other officers had also been advised by Union officials that nothing could be done about the Department’s prejudicial practices, which are common daily occurrences at the facility, and commented that the Sheriff’s Department “does what it wants.”

A female corrections officer at the same location was injured on the job in 2001. She was subsequently fired in 2004, but was legally awarded three-quarters retirement pay by New York State. To this day, she is still battling the “system” trying to receive her retirement status from the department. Brian Sullivan went on to say that Nassau County’s legal counsel for the Nassau County Correctional Center, Elizabeth Loconsolo, stated to him that “a retired Sheriff’s identification card is a badge of honor and that Officer Greco is not worthy of it.” Current Sheriff Sposato also commented to Sullivan that, “if Greco wants an I.D, tell him to come back to work.”

Officer Greco is adamant about not surrendering to defeat by an institution that governs itself and does not adhere to New York State legal decrees. He is determined to set a precedent, whatever it takes, so that future officers will not have to succumb to this unacceptable, bullying treatment.

Given the financial gaffe that Nassau County is presently in, does the Sheriff’s Department have carte blanche to frivolously spend tax payer’s money for attorney and court fees simply to feed their ego when losing a legal judgment? It is obvious that we have a corrupt and anarchistic regime operating clandestinely behind the walls of this correctional facility. Officer Greco is now returning to the front line yet one more time, to rightfully attain his retirement status.

Media coverage regarding the questionable behavior within the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department has been an ongoing endeavor by The New York Times and Newsday; however, it has been an effort in futility.

More information: Rachele 516.524.4833.

News Source: James Greco :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company is the first ferry in the United States to receive a federal grant to implement explosive detection canine teams.

The ferry company has proved to be a vital link between Long Island, NY and southwestern Connecticut since 1883 and provides service to approximately 400,000 vehicles and one million passengers per year. The events of September 11, 2001 have served to reinforce the company’s commitment to the safety and security of its constituency, the traveling public. With keen awareness of the potential for terrorist activity or narcotics exchange, the company has greatly enhanced security measures including increased awareness training for employees, cutting-edge technology, and explosives detection canine teams.

For more than 15 years, Officer Greco’s celebrated company has employed an intensely trained team of canines and their handlers to seek out contraband and explosive devices at the state and municipal levels. In the private sector, Long Island K-9 was the first agency of its kind to introduce these specialized protection services, and continues to increase its roster of high profile clients.

Long Island K-9 Service has the largest canine training facility on Long Island, with a state-of-the art training facility located on two and one half sprawling acres in Manorville, Long Island.

“We have provided our explosive detection canine teams for Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, United States Federal Government Police, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Congressman and Homeland Security Committee Chairman, Peter King, the Republican Convention in New York City and many prominent celebrities,” states Officer Greco.

The unique company is dual licensed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Department of Labor to possess high explosives for its training purposes. The company has also sparked the interest of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) canine division, major airports and airlines, Fortune 500 companies and private security organizations. Officer Greco has appeared on Good Morning America, Japanese television, Inside Edition, News Channel 4, and has held interviews with The New York Times and 880 CBS News Radio. He is available for seminars and demonstrations.

- Image Caption: Three Explosive Detection canine Teams at the Port Jefferson Ferry on Long Island.

News Source: Long Island K-9 Service :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Moses was relinquished to the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines in the spring of 2008 and placed with Habeger that summer. He started his training when he was six months old.

“Moses isn’t afraid of much and loves to bark for his toy, which is how he told me he found the missing man,” said Habeger.

Habeger and Moses certified in January, eight days after Moses turned two. “He’s a great search dog and loves his job,” Habeger added.

The man had been missing from his care facility for approximately six hours dressed in only socks, jeans and a light shirt. “With temperatures around 40 degrees during the night, exposure and hypothermia were real threats to this man’s health and well being,” said Officer Jason Tuttle who helped organize the search that night. “Without these types of highly trained dogs, we may have not had such a happy ending.” Officer Tuttle is with the Ames Police Department.

Moses and Habeger train and deploy with STAR 1 Search and Rescue, Iowa Task Force 1 and are in training with Nebraska Task Force 1. Moses was found through a program between the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Paws of Life Foundation.

About Paws of Life:
The Paws of Life Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non profit organization devoted to the training and education of search and rescue K9 handlers. Paws of Life also work with humane societies and animal shelters to home appropriate dogs in working dog homes. You can find more information at www.pawsoflife.org .

- Photo 72dpi: http://Send2PressNewswire.com/image/10-1129-robmoe_72dpi.jpg .
- Photo Caption: K9 Moses and his handler, Robin Habeger.

- Paws of Life Foundation news RSS feed:
http://send2pressnewswire.com/author/paws-of-life-foundation/feed .

News Source: Paws of Life Foundation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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The database is widely used by US and international law enforcement agencies; the intelligence community; and private sector digital forensic examiners to detect digital steganography applications on seized digital media or in a network traffic stream. Discovery of a steganography application during a digital forensics examination is a strong indication the application has been, or will be, used to conceal evidence of criminal activity.

Developed in Backbone’s Steganography Analysis and Research Center (SARC), SAFDB Version 3.5 contains seven different fingerprints, or hash values, ranging from CRC32 to SHA-512, of every file artifact associated with all 812 digital steganography applications in the database.

SAFDB is an integral part of the Steganography Analyzer Artifact Scanner, or StegAlyzerAS, a digital forensics application, and the Steganography Analyzer Real-Time Scanner (StegAlyzerRTS), a network security appliance that detects the presence or use of steganography in real-time.

StegAlyzerAS uses the hash values in SAFDB to detect steganography applications. It also offers the unique capability to detect Windows Registry(TM) artifacts. This makes it possible to identify use of a specific steganography application even if the user uninstalled the application and deleted the associated files and folders.

StegAlyzerRTS is the world’s only commercially available network security appliance capable of detecting steganography applications in real-time. It uses the hash values in SAFDB to detect steganography applications downloaded by trusted insiders in the inbound packet stream. When a detection event occurs, an alert is immediately sent to the Management Console to notify the administrators monitoring the network.

Existing customers may download SAFDB V3.5 by logging into their account on the SARC website.

For additional information about Backbone’s steganalysis tools, please visit www.sarc-wv.com or send email to sarc@backbonesecurity.com .

About the SARC:

The SARC is a Center of Excellence in digital steganography research and development within Backbone Security. Established to create and maintain a national repository of steganography applications, fingerprints, and signatures that can be consulted during the forensic examination of seized media, the SARC has created the world’s largest hash set exclusive to digital steganography applications.

About Backbone Security:

In addition to being the leading provider of digital steganalysis tools, Backbone is a PCI Data Security Standard (DSS) Approved Scanning Vendor that conducts automated PCI DSS compliance assessments with their industry leading One-Stop Scanning Solution. Backbone also provides real-time intrusion monitoring, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and business continuity and disaster recovery planning services. More information: www.backbonesecurity.com .

Media Contact: Jim Wingate, Vice President and Director, SARC; Voice: (877) 560-SARC, Fax: (304) 366-9163, or E-Mail: jwingate@backbonesecurity.com .

News Source: Backbone Security :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2010 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

However, being a teen search and rescue volunteer and one of the approximately two dozen members of Sonoran Search and Rescue was only the beginning for Lane. After completing her ground searcher certification, Lane submitted an application to the Paws of Life Foundation’s program to pair canine handlers with dogs. After being selected, Paws of Life Executive Director Robin Habeger informed Lane that she had been paired with a Border collie mix.

In July 2007, Lane’s hectic schedule then included training the dog she named Firecracker after one of the canine heroes from the Vietnam War. Firecracker’s name has now been shortened to Cracker. “Everyone loves to play with her because she talks to you and makes noises.” Lane says about Cracker. “She absolutely lives to play tug.”

Lane remained active in Sonoran Search and Rescue with calls concerning lost hikers, missing elderly individuals, and cadaver calls to help locate bodies while training her dog. Additionally, Sonoran Search and Rescue held regular training meetings on Wednesday nights during this time. “Thursday was the hardest to get up for school when our trainings were on Wednesday,” Lane stated.

Lane and Cracker reached the top level of canine search certification in December of 2008 by passing NASAR’s Canine Sartech I evaluation. This extensive test required Lane and Cracker to complete a day search with two subjects within a 140 to 160 acre area within four hours. The second component involved a night search for one individual in an 80 acre search area.

Not surprisingly, Lane has still a few more goals for herself and Cracker. Lane has already begun working with Cracker in locating deceased persons.

A hiker who became injured while at the Picacho Peak State Park recently sent a letter commending the search and rescue volunteers who assisted her. She thanked the entire Sonoran Search and Rescue group as well as the park rangers who came to her aid.

She commented, “I would like to commend the work of the Sonoran Search and Rescue group. Their equipment, labor, and dedication brought sanity to an incredibly frightening event.” She later spoke about Lane describing her as a “sixteen year old young woman with the presence and composure of a thirty year old.”

Lane’s parents acknowledge that they are proud of her accomplishments and her desire to be involved in search and rescue. Her father commented that Taylor worked exceptionally hard for a year training Cracker and is continuing to do so.

According to Dallas Lane, “Demands on our youth today are minimal. Our expectations for how they conduct themselves is not high. Therefore, when you have a teen like Taylor that functions and succeeds in an adult manner, unfortunately it’s unique. I wish it wasn’t,” he continued.

Unique does describe this Arizona teen. Lane has already accomplished a variety of certifications that few adults have successfully completed. Lane is a positive role model for all youth today. Lane embodies all the traits of a true hero. She is hard working, modest, dedicated to helping others, and determined to keep doing what her family does which is help others through search and rescue operations. Lane and Cracker are only beginning their journey to make a difference in the world.

About Paws of Life:

The Paws of Life Foundation is a national nonprofit organization made up of experienced search and rescue individuals that work to support search and rescue groups across the nation through training, education, identifying canine candidates, and matching approved handlers and canines for search and rescue applications. The foundation’s experienced handlers and trainers have developed a thorough evaluation that identifies and targets potential canine candidates. Once the dogs are targeted, then Paws of Life matches the canine candidate with an approved handler.

You can learn more at www.pawsoflife.org .

News Source: Paws of Life Foundation :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Have you ever seen ill-prepared homeowners standing on rooftops dressed in shorts and t-shirts while spraying water with a trickling garden hose? These are images that the PSD training program hopes to eliminate.

Founders Steve Bowman and Roy Pike have over 70 years of combined expertise in pre-fire mitigation and actual wildfire suppression; their goal is to share this information with the public.

“I’m tired of seeing hundreds of homes burning with limited protection, and I’m tired of seeing homeowners staying behind to defend their home without training or protective clothing,” Bowman said. “It’s time to empower the homeowner with knowledge of fire dynamics and the training they deserve and desire.”

PSD reduces the chance of injury and/or death and promises to significantly increase a home’s survival if the homeowner stays to defend it.

Many factors are involved in defending a home from fire. They include physical and psychological preparedness and learning how to create defensible space and properly prepare the home and homeowner.

“The idea of Prepare Stay and Defend methodology is not new,” Pike explains. “In 2006, Aussies successfully implemented this method and many homeowners in the U.S. have been pressing for this type of program.”

The main emphasis of the web site, which offers the same Federal courses administered to professional wildland firefighters, prepares homeowners to defend their homes and neighborhoods while allowing for reasonably safe “staying and defending” activities.

PSD recommends that homeowners evacuate to a safety zone early in the process if they are not able to expend a high level of physical exertion or are not psychologically prepared for the stresses of firefighting.

Homeowners will be encouraged to organize Neighborhood Fire Watch Groups and Fire Brigades. PSD consultants will be available to help homeowners with fire law and regulation interpretations, assessing the wildfire suppression capabilities of their local fire department, surveying neighborhood and community infrastructures, help establish and demonstrate new “home hardening” specifications for developers and other strategic wildfire protection planning issues.

Bowman explains that since 1990, in California alone, there have been over 15,000 structures lost in wildfire. Most homes are lost due to burning embers falling onto and around the home causing spot fires.

“The number of destroyed homes during a wildfire is related to the lack of firefighting resources and most residents are killed during the evacuation process,” Bowman added. “Using the home as a shelter, when trapped by the wildfire, has long been recognized by professional firefighters and is reflected in their wildfire training.”

PSD believes that the homeowner should also be trained on how to use their prepared home as a shelter.

Similar to the militia during the American Civil War, properly trained and equipped homeowner fire brigades can be valuable resources to U.S. fire services during wildfire sieges.

This new web site provides practical information to help homeowners and communities prepare for a wildfire and to establish local safety refuges. It teaches homeowners how to conduct pre-fire planning; plan evacuation routes; promote the use of protective clothing and fire suppression equipment, and more.

To effectively work with local fire agencies, PSD is ready to establish better communication between local fire departments and homeowners by acting as an advocate and a clearing house for the homeowners. Pike explains that the fire service must recognize that they cannot solve the wildfire interface problem alone.

“Maintaining the status quo will only lead to more lost homes, residents and firefighters,” Pike said. “Fire services must be willing to change their wildfire interface tactics and strategies to meet the actual conditions on the ground.”

Homes will continue to be built in wildland areas. People will continue to cause fires in these areas, either accidentally or with malice aforethought, and the public outcry for mitigating the damage will only grow louder; PSD can help to change this destructive cycle.

To learn more about this method of saving homes and lives, visit: www.prepare-stay-defend.org.

News Source: Prepare Stay Defend :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2008 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.