"It seems that a more appropriate name for Pam would have been Cassandra, the mythical prophet who warned of disasters but who no one really believed, " said Collins, R-Maine.

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After the Bali bomb police liaison officers were sent but Tobias says the first three he met had no experience of disasters.

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But of course I also realized that no matter what happened it would all be a worthwhile drill for the future disasters that will inevitably come our way.

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CANTANIA, Italy (CNN) -- There is no way to stop Europe's highest volcano from erupting, but technology is increasingly helping scientists to prevent natural disasters becoming human tragedies.

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