InfoGram

May 9, 2002

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 infrastructures. For further information please contact the U.S. Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center at (301) 447-1325 or email at usfacipc@dhs.gov.

Threat Advisory Extension

On 7 May, the National Threat Warning System published another extension to the general terrorist threat advisory. Intelligence sources indicate the continuing capacity and desire of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups to attack U.S. interests here and abroad. Law enforcers and all emergency first responders are advised to remain at an elevated state of alert for suspicious or unusual activity.

Stress Threatens Firefighters and their Families

The job of firefighting is rated as one of the most stressful in the United States according to a report by the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. The commission explained that the occupation is extremely complicated, very dangerous, involves irregular shifts, requires strenuous activity, demands mental alertness, etc. As a result, stress is an unfortunate reality for firefighters. Remaining on constant high alert status does nothing to alleviate the negative effects of stress on health and performance. Indeed, it only exacerbates an already bad situation because of the emotional and physical stressors associated with firefighting. The commission declared that hundreds of firefighters are forced to retire each year due to stress related illnesses.

Protecting this exceedingly invaluable critical infrastructure-firefighters-is a fundamental premise of fire service leadership. Chief officers and their staff must thoroughly comprehend the physiological and psychological effects of stressors that their individual firefighters experience. This understanding is absolutely essential to taking care of personnel. Therefore, the CIPIC encourages that department leaders genuinely support the physical and psychological hardiness of their front line defenders by actively promoting stress reduction techniques. The factors that reduce crisis-induced stress are supervisory care and concern, social support, quality training, exercise, relaxation, and humor.

Mental health researchers, especially in the New York City vicinity, have begun to document the consequences of firefighter stress on their family members. It is not surprising that the ill effects of stress do not remain at the job site, but come home with those exposed to stressors at work. Initial findings are that spouses and children of firefighters are more likely to have problems pertaining to eating, sleeping, and concentrating. Mild depression was also indicated. These early research discoveries reinforce the necessity for leadership intervention and assistance at the source of the stress. Firefighters and their families are at considerable risk without an effective department sponsored stress management program.

Medical Response to Bioterrorism

Medical infrastructure experts recently conveyed that most states still lack much of the laboratory equipment needed to handle medical emergencies resulting from a bioterrorism attack. They stated that hospitals are the "gaping hole," because of staff and bed shortages in addition to the lack of proper equipment. In too many instances, hospitals can only communicate with the ambulance service. Sometimes, local police cannot even communicate with the state police. Their status report concluded that "a surge caused by a bioterrorism incident would be disastrous for many communities."

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson promised that the full $1.1 billion in bioterrorism grant money would be available to states by 1 June 2002, saying that state and territorial plans are being reviewed by eleven teams within HHS. Most of the funding, more than $980 million administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will tackle public health priorities such as new laboratory equipment, improved communications, and more training. "The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is responsible for the remaining $125 million, set aside to help states coordinate planning with hospitals and other emergency care providers in the event of an attack using biological agents," according to an article in Stateline.org.

More About Dirty Bombs

A report prepared by the Center for Strategic and International Studies for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, concluded that emergency services organizations must develop plans to protect first responders from radiation. The center suggested that plans include the following minimum provisions: stagger rescue crews to prevent overexposure, ensure protective gear and equipment can be rushed in from regional sources, exercise emergency powers to prevent panic, and disseminate information in advance to educate the media and public about the risks.

As first discussed in the 25 April InfoGram, dirty bombs use conventional explosives to scatter industrial or medical-grade radioactive material in a populated area to cause widespread fear of exposure. The damage is not caused so much by the explosion, but by the intense radiation that would be released into the atmosphere of the affected area.

The study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies is based on the assumption that an attack with a dirty bomb is more likely than the detonation of a stolen nuclear device, the release of smallpox, or an attack on a nuclear power plant.

Cyber Infrastructure Threat

A Newsfactor.com article argued that "computer networks at all levels of government and private industry are facing new threats of terrorist attacks, ranging from an attempt to bring havoc to a major city to nationwide disruption of finances, transportation, and utilities." National intelligence sources believe some of the threats come from individuals possibly connected to al Qaeda. "This threat is growing," said Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ). "It's a big threat because it is easy to do and can cause great harm." Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), member of the House Intelligence Committee, cautioned that "cyberterrorism is a real and growing threat to American security."

Federal cybersecurity specialists acknowledged that suspected terrorists have discussed the following systems or networks: electrical grids, water supplies and treatment, communications including telephone and 9-1-1 call centers, rail and road transportation, and air traffic control.

Congress is trying to reduce the threat to the nation's cyber infrastructure. For example, legislation has been proposed to create a national "cybersecurity defense team" to identify areas most vulnerable to attack and recommend methods to reduce or eliminate the danger. But until there is a viable solution in place, computer systems supporting emergency first responders (e.g., 9-1-1) may be susceptible to a catastrophic disruption of service. Therefore, the CIPIC advises that network managers ensure they have identified existing weaknesses within their cyber systems and are aggressively pursuing corrective measures. American citizens and their rescuers greatly depend on these systems to be fully intact and operational.