Copies of the entire issue are available to media representatives on request: HFES Communications Director Lois Smith, lois@hfes.org, 310-394-1811, fax 310-394-2410.
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News Release
Human Factors/Ergonomics contributes to combating terrorism
Special issue of Ergonomics in Design
Peer-Reviewed Publication
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society has released a special issue of its peer-reviewed magazine, Ergonomics in Design, devoted to the topic of counterterrorism. The lead article, "Defeating Terrorism: What Can Human Factors/Ergonomics Offer?" describes past and ongoing HF/E work in areas that contribute to increased homeland security (soon also available in PDF format at http://hfes.org.) The second article, "How to REALLY Improve Airport Security," addresses problems associated with taking a punitive approach to training and monitoring of security personnel and presents "science-based, practical approaches that can and should be taken now to improve threat detection at airports." The third article, "Emergency Vehicles: Responder or Victim?" concerns a related topic, that of ensuring that emergency personnel (specifically firefighters) arrive safely to do their jobs. Citing statisics about accidents involving emergency response vehicles, the authors propose a number of remedies aimed at reducing such accidents, including improved training for emergency personnel, better awareness and responsiveness by the driving public, and increased accountability on both sides.