InfoGram

December 6, 2001

NOTE: This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the emergency services sector with news and information concerning the protection of their critical information systems. For further information please contact the U.S. Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center at (301) 447-1325 or email at usfacipc@fema.gov.

Department Security Program

The 29 November InfoGram briefly discussed the relationship between a department's security policy and its security program. In effect, the security policy is the written expression of the essential ingredients (the various policies and procedures) of a department's security program. For practical reasons as well as efficiency, a department will not have one without the other.

Since these are the times of enhanced security awareness, fire and EMS department leaders are generally knowledgeable of the benefits of having a departmental security program. Most decision makers already realize that by investing time and resources where necessary, the leadership of emergency first responders can significantly reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of attacks on their critical infrastructures while simultaneously maintaining continuity of operations.

To bolster any endeavors to create or refine a security program, the CIPIC offers the following additional program benefits as encouragement to stay the course:

• Protects the department's critical infrastructures, particularly the personnel, stations, apparatus, equipment, and communications.
• Safeguards the lives and property of citizens in the community served.
• Maintains the integrity and efficiency of operations.
• Reduces litigation risk and insurance costs.
• Reduces the risk of theft, vandalism, and sabotage.
• Protects sensitive information.
• Improves relationships with other community leaders.
• Provides a mechanism for control and accounting in case of an emergency.

CIP…It's Now More Personal

As a result of the events of 11 September, the business of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) has a new perspective. CIP has become an acronym frequently spoken by government officials and private industrial executives as the process to determine what physical and cyber assets require protection. In reality, the CIP methodology has not changed in the last several months. Recent events, however, have made the matter of CIP much more personal.

Terrorist attacks in early September loudly communicated to the entire nation the need for security and aggressive protection activities. Each American citizen has been frightfully awakened to the realization that our own "personal" safety-and that of our family-is now at risk. "9/11" has also raised our collective consciousness that our way of life is equally threatened.

Although the CIPIC has previously promoted the CIP process to enhance fire and EMS mission success and survivability, it is now appropriate to encourage CIP for all Americans. It is time for citizens to recognize that CIP can save their lives and property. Public servants such as emergency first responders should lead by example and apply the CIP process for their "personal" protection at home and in their neighborhoods.

Personal Infrastructure Protection 103

The Director of Homeland Security issued a heightened state of alert warning to the public on 3 December. This was in response to the identification of a potential credible threat of more attacks within the United States between 5 and 15 December. Director Tom Ridge stated there is evidence that terrorists continue to retain some capability to strike within our national borders.

Firefighters and paramedics must remain alert and take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their stations, apparatus, equipment, and communications. Emergency first responders must be prepared to make an immediate assessment if observed suspicious activity warrants notification of local and federal law enforcers or the activation of emergency plans.

As a means to exemplify additional personal protective measures, the CIPIC offers the following suggestions for consistent application:

• Secure personal information and property at home, work, and everywhere else.
• Practice quality situational awareness by maintaining routine observation of the environment and surroundings regardless of where you are.
• Habitually look for suspicious or extraordinary indicators of potential problems.
• Be prepared to report any potential problems to local or federal law enforcers.
• Always keep emergency phone numbers with you at all times.
• Despite understandable pride, do not draw attention to yourself as an emergency first responder unless the situation dictates your action.
• Occasionally practice alternate routes of travel and be prepared to use them in case of an emergency.
• Know where your subordinates and immediate family members are at all times and how to reach them if necessary.
• Avoid the consumption of food, beverages, or illicit drugs that will degrade your ability to make quick, sound decisions necessary to take charge and save lives.
• Stay alert and stay alive!

Homeland Emergency Response Network

The House Press Office released that on 4 December, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) and Congresswoman Jane Harmon (D-CA) jointly announced their support of legislation to provide a needed radio frequency for emergency responders. The Homeland Emergency Response Operations Network (HERO) legislation seeks to exclusively allocate the 24 MHz radio spectrum to state and local emergency first responders. When effected, the action will close a loophole that allowed TV stations to continue using the spectrum until 31 December 2006. Congressman Weldon is a former volunteer fire chief and senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. He has been an active and outspoken proponent of domestic preparedness issues.