Final Probable Collapse Sequence for WTC Towers

NIST to Hold World Trade Center Investigation Press Briefing in New York CityAgency Will Announce Final Probable Collapse Sequence for WTC Towers,Discuss Findings on Codes, Evacuation and Emergency Response

What: The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will brief the media on April 5, 2005, in New York City on the latest findings from its building and fire safety investigation of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster of Sept. 11, 2001. WTC Lead Investigator Shyam Sunder will present the final probable collapse sequence for the two WTC towers, updating the leading collapse hypothesis released last October. He also will discuss what has been learned from three projects within the WTC investigation—analysis of building and fire codes and practices; occupant behavior, egress, and emergency communications; and fire service technologies and guidelines. Full reports from the three projects will be released. Recommendations for these projects, as well as all other projects in the investigation, will be released for public comment at a later date.

A briefing for the public will be conducted starting at 1 p.m. EST.

The overall goal of this investigation, and all NIST investigations conducted under the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, is to recommend improvements in the way people design, construct, maintain and use buildings to increase both occupant safety and structural integrity.

When: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 10 a.m. – noon EST

Where: The Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan 1605 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10019 Times Square B Room

Media Signup: Media planning to attend the briefing should register by Friday, April 1, 2005, at 5 p.m. EST, by calling (301) 975-2762 or sending an e-mail to media@nist.gov.

For security reasons, all media—including production crew members—must have proper credentials (a news media badge with photo or a photo ID with a business card) to enter the briefing room.

More Information: A comprehensive Web site on the NIST WTC investigation may be accessed at wtc.nist.gov. The text of the briefing presentation and supporting materials will be available online at the same Web address concurrent with the media briefing on April 5, 2005. SOURCE: National Institute of Standards and Technology

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2005 Contact: Michael E. Newman(301) 975-3025

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

$2.4 Million Available for Jail Diversion Grant Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the availability of FY 2005 funds for Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants for Jail Diversion programs to divert individuals with mental illness away from the criminal justice system and into community-based, integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment and appropriate support services.
It is expected that approximately $400,000 will be available per grantee in Fiscal Year 2005 to fund six grants for up to three years. These grants will promote the transformation of systems to improve services for justice-involved adults with mental illness. The grants will be administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services.

WHO CAN APPLY: Eligible applicants are the chief executive of a state; political subdivisions of states; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, acting through agreements with other public and nonprofit entities to develop and implement programs to divert individuals with mental illness away from the criminal justice system and into community-based services. All applications must be signed by the chief executive of the state, political subdivision of state, Indian tribe, or tribal organization.

HOWTO APPLY: Applicants for No SM-05-011 are available by calling SAMHSA’s clearinghouse at 1-800-729-6686, or by downloading the application from grants.gov or samhas.gov . Applicants are encouraged to apply on line through a new service at grants.gov

APPLICATION DUE DATE: May 24, 2005, ADDITIIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions on program issues should contact David Morrissette, DSW, at (240)-276-1912 or e-mail to david.morrissette@samhsa.hhs.gov. For questions on grant management issues, contact Kimberly Pendleton at (240) 276-1421 or email to Kimberly.pendleton@samhsa.hhs.gov