InfoGram

InfoGram October 24, 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.

Secondary Explosive Devices

On the evening of 18 October, a Charles County deputy sheriff reported a small, intentionally set fire in an abandoned building outside Waldorf, MD. While firefighters were arriving at the scene, the fire chief observed an unusual object in a tree stump approximately five feet off the access road. From a short distance, the deputy sheriff and fire chief determined that the object appeared to be an explosive device consisting of a galvanized (1 1/4" by 12") pipe with wires attached to a kitchen timer. The dial was set for an hour later. After clearing the area, the device was disarmed and transported to the ATF lab, where bomb experts confirmed that it was a viable pipe bomb containing a dangerous amount of model jet fuel powder.

Although authorities suspect local juveniles, it is important to note that the device was next to the road used by emergency vehicles and probably intended to harm first responders. Subsequently, the fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies in Charles County were informed of this incident and directed to be more vigilant when answering alarms in the general area.

Secondary explosive devices are a shameful reality for emergency first responders throughout the United States. Whether the dastardly work of juveniles or terrorists, the potential presence of such ordnance necessitates added caution when responding to suspicious incidents. Therefore, the CIPIC suggests that it would be prudent to review response plans regarding this matter. During this review and actual response execution, incident commanders should consider applying absolutely minimal personnel and apparatus until adjacent areas are adequately searched and cleared.

Transportation Infrastructure Threatened

For information purposes, the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) released an update on 23 October, regarding the national transportation critical infrastructure. The notification states there has been recent reporting that al Qaeda is targeting the railway system of the United States. Intelligence gathering suggests terrorist operatives are directly targeting passenger trains, hazardous material shipments, key railway bridges, and sections of track. The increased concern about this infrastructure was substantiated by recently captured al Qaeda photographs showing American railroad engines, cars, bridges, and major crossings.

The movement of passengers and hazardous materials along the national rail system is an essential part of American life and economy. Hence, for the foreseeable future, it will necessarily continue unabated. Unfortunately, whether accidental or deliberately instigated, it is almost inevitable that there will be a railroad incident involving large numbers of passengers, dangerous materials, or both. When an incident does occur, the survivability of passengers and emergency first responders will be degraded unless all responders know exactly what to do and cooperate in getting it done safely but rapidly. As always, coordinated operations training can make the difference, especially after review of applicable Department of Energy (DOE) 5500 series directives.

The CIPIC recommends that fire, EMS, and police departments with major rail routes within their jurisdiction commence comprehensive joint planning and conduct realistic multi-agency exercises to ensure preparedness. Despite the usual lack of resources to support this, chief officers of first responders can fight complacency, begin planning, and select low cost, innovative methods to execute quality combined training with reinforcing rehearsals. The readiness derived from these activities will go far to reduce the threat to a department's personnel infrastructure and equipment, as well as the operational status of the nation's transportation infrastructure.

Family Emergency Preparedness

Most leadership training confirms that job performance is affected by perceptions of family emergency preparedness. Those subordinates who are confident about the emergency readiness and safety of their families will likely complete duties in a satisfactory or better manner. As this finding is generally well documented, it is logical and essential to promote emergency preparedness among the families of emergency first responders.

Apathy and avoidance are not uncommon among families, particularly within their personal home environment. After all, bioterrorism, dirty bombs, floods, tornadoes, etc., are potential threats that most people do not want to think about. Therefore, sufficient awareness of how to navigate through a disaster is somewhat lacking, even among the family members of a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic.

For example, according to a recent University of Virginia (UV) study, "the overwhelming reaction to a bioterrorist attack will be a desire to flee the immediate area where the incident has occurred." However, the UV Medical School's Critical Incident Analysis Group writes that families "should hunker down at home and not flee in panic looking for safety in distance." The UV group maintains that the self-imposed quarantine, called shielding, would result in less danger to family members and reduce the chance of spreading a disease. "By using the voluntary shielding concept—even if the biological attack is nearby—individuals will be safer. Local, state, and federal agencies will be able to provide aid in terms of food and medicine, and an epidemic could be stopped in its tracks."

The CIPIC opines that family members need emergency preparedness knowledge as soon as possible in order to become receptive and comfortable with it. Trying to educate people is not going to work after an attack occurs. Such is why advance training for families is an action by leaders and their subordinates that makes complete sense.

Social Engineering: Another Threat to Infrastructure Protection

There is growing evidence that social engineering has been employed by America's adversaries to identify infrastructure vulnerabilities by capitalizing on the weakest link in any security program—the human element. In other words, it uses the fact that the human part of any security system is its greatest liability.

Generally, social engineering is the art of getting people to comply to your wishes. More specifically, it is a technique for forcing a response or gaining information from otherwise unwilling individuals. It is not accomplished within a couple of minutes. The practice involves engaging the target person in casual conversation before making the attempt at capturing information. Some communications experts write that social engineering is nothing more that building trust and rapport between the information collector and the target individual.

Since many fire and EMS departments have been and will continue to be solicited for sensitive information regarding plans and operations, the CIPIC cautions all first response organizations to be alert for those who will use social engineering to acquire critical information. Ensure department personnel are aware of this unscrupulous technique and avoid being victimized by it.