Monthly Archives: <span>September 2017</span>

Drones, New Intelligence Platforms Offer Carriers Highly-Accurate Alternative to Manual Roof Measurements

The use of drones has grown tremendously in just a few years. While figures vary, sales grew 60-100 percent between 2015 and 2016, and represent as much as $4.5 billion in revenue, according to a recent Recode article. The insurance …

Society Considers How Robots May Reduce Need for Human Workers

Security guard Eric Leon watches the Knightscope K5 security robot as it glides through the mall, charming shoppers with its blinking blue and white lights. The brawny automaton records video and sounds alerts. According to its maker, it deters mischief …

Not All Equipment is Alike: The Need for Expertise in DME

Part II: Counting the Cost; Containing the Cost – The Importance of Transparency in DME In part one of this series, we addressed the importance of having a certified Assistive Technology Professional who has special experience and knowledge in the …

Irma Strengthens to a Cat 5 Hurricane, Threat Grows for Florida

Florida declared a state of emergency before a possible hurricane strike after Irma strengthened to become a Category 5 storm on its approach to the Caribbean. Irma’s maximum winds rose as high as 175 miles an hour (280 kilometers an …

Western Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate Homes

Wildfires forced thousands to flee their homes across the U.S. West during a sweltering, smoke-shrouded holiday weekend of record heat. The fires Sunday caused evacuations in Glacier National Park in Montana and many other parts of the West; compelled crews …

Adjuster Tallies Harvey’s Price One Storm-Damaged Home at a Time

Craig Reeves had been in Rockport, Texas, barely 48 hours when he ducked into the gloomy threshold of the condominium, which was darkened by blinds pulled before Hurricane Harvey and filled with a humid, mildewy funk. Reeves, a catastrophe claims …

State Says Judge Erred in Dismissing $2.39M Tesoro Refinery Fines

State regulators say a judge erred when he overturned $2.39 million in penalties against Tesoro following the 2010 deadly explosion at its Anacortes refinery. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries on Thursday asked the state Board of Industrial Insurance …

Peoria Firefighters Train for High-Rise Challenges

The shout was for more hose as Capt. Mike Wittenmeier pushed down the smoke-filled hallway. It was hot and humid, with only a few feet of visibility. Smoke filled the hallway, and Wittenmeier wasn’t pleased with the slow progress. “Come …

Much of Houston Built Over Land Meant for Flood Control

The explosive expansion of Houston subdivisions into prairies far to the west helped make the city affordable for the average 345 people who moved there each day, but it also paved over thousands of acres that the U.S. Army Corps …

Comparing Flood Insurance in Other Countries

The catastrophic flooding unleashed on Texas by Harvey was unprecedented. Elsewhere in the world, flooding associated with wild weather is a challenge confronting all types of communities from coastal cities in Asia to mountain villages in Europe. In the last …