InfoGram

December 20, 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.

Terrorist Threat Advisory Update

On 17 December, the National Threat Warning System published an update regarding the potential for future terrorist attacks in the United States. The advisory indicated the FBI will continue its terrorist threat advisory from Monday (17 December) to Wednesday (2 January). The FBI urged that emergency first responders remain vigilant during this holiday season.

Mitigating Continued Vigilance

Most readers will probably agree that continued vigilance for terrorism eventually becomes a leadership and management problem if it has not already. As stated in the 13 December InfoGram, firefighters and paramedics cannot remain at a "high-state of alert" indefinitely. For too many personnel, the perpetual threat of terrorism causes much personal stress.

The American Psychological Association reports that the unresolved continuation of stress will usually cause illness and decrease performance. To mitigate the stressful effects of prolonged terrorism vigilance on emergency first responders, and therefore, take care of the foremost among critical infrastructures, the CIPIC recommends that department leaders and managers actively promote the following basic stress reduction techniques:

• Exercise. The endorphins released during exercise inoculate the body and help it to combat the physical aspects of stress.
• Relaxation. Genuine relaxation reduces the level of physiological arousal in a person's sympathetic nervous system and endocrine system.
• Social Support. Quality talk with family and friends that affirms love and appreciation for the individual can decrease the adverse effects of stress.
• Positive Imagery. Stress can be reduced by the person who can routinely imagine being a survivor of the threat and a successful performer as well.
• Optimism. The tendency to expect excellent outcomes (positive thinking) and good health are closely related. Optimists cope with stress more adaptively and emphasized the positive in difficult situations.

More About Financing CIP

The CIPIC has received many questions about available funding to support CIP actions. Unfortunately, no money is available from USFA/FEMA. However, there is hope for some CIP funding in the future. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced the Homeland Security Block Grant (Senate Bill 1737) that would provide $3 billion to assist communities to finance the cost of critical infrastructure protection. The bill stipulates that 70 percent of the money be delivered to metropolitan cities for a variety of security measures, including additional law enforcement and the development of a security plan. The U.S. Justice Department, not FEMA, will award the money in the form of block grants. Any activities directly related to the security of critical infrastructures are eligible for the money. The legislation also provides assistance to Local Emergency Planning Committees so that local public agencies can design, review, and improve disaster response plans. The bill currently stands in the Committee on the Judiciary.

Food For Personal Infrastructure Protection

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, recently said he is more fearful about food-borne terrorism than anything else. In response to his fears, the House of Representatives took small forward steps by passing legislation to restrict food imports and give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to ban food from commerce if its safety is uncertain. Preventing food terrorism, however, remains a daunting task.

In the United States, food-borne pathogens cause an estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and over 5,000 deaths annually. There are about 1,300 food-borne illness investigations reported by state health departments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year. Yet too many go undetected.

This raises an issue about food being purchased and prepared in the many fire and EMS stations that are equipped with kitchens. It certainly begs the question about what measures are in place at these stations to prevent the consumption of contaminated food. As another means to protect the most indispensable infrastructure-personnel-the CIPIC advises that department leaders give this matter some thought and action.

The vulnerability to food-borne illness is not the only kitchen related concern of leaders and managers. The CIPIC also urges that measures are effected to prevent the spread of hepatitis during the handling of food, cooking/eating utensils, and dishware.

InfoGram Feedback

This edition of the USFA CIPIC InfoGram will be the last for calendar year 2001. There were serious efforts during the past year to ensure each InfoGram provided quality, relevant information regarding critical infrastructure protection. As preparations are made for approximately fifty more InfoGrams during 2002, the CIPIC requests constructive criticism or any appropriate feedback concerning the value or usefulness of past and future documents. Please forward comments/recommendations to: usfacipc@fema.gov. Thank you in advance for any assistance to make the InfoGrams a better product for its many readers. Happy and safe holidays to all!