InfoGram

September 12, 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.

More Suspicious Activities

More suspicious activities at fire and emergency medical service departments have occurred. During the month of August, three engine companies of the St. Louis Fire Department reported incidents involving male subjects of "middle eastern" appearance who fled the scene when approached or questioned.

At one Engine Company the suspect was observed video taping the fire house. At another company the subject escaped after video taping the facility and the apparatus inside. At a third location the suspect entered the fire house and made inquiries regarding the size, floor space, and load capacity of the ambulance housed therein.

These recent events reinforce the necessity for all emergency response departments to remain vigilant for data collection by potential adversaries. They are reminders that all department personnel must fight complacency and remain ready to quickly stop unauthorized information gathering by the questions and filming of alleged visitors. Also, first responders should avoid sharing information with unknown individuals who communicate by telephone or electronic mail. Intelligence experts confirm that terrorists study the information they obtain to identify existing vulnerabilities and to plan their attacks accordingly.

Failure to prevent unsanctioned collection of details about the fire and emergency medical services may jeopardize the critical infrastructures upon which the protection of life and property depends. It is as important to avert as the theft of uniforms and vehicles used by emergency responders.

When a suspicious incident occurs such as the ones mentioned above, in addition to notifying the local authorities, the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) requests contact using the NIPC information seen at the bottom of this InfoGram. Notification of the NIPC will enable their specialists to attempt identification of the patterns, methods, and sources of past and future malicious actions directed against the critical infrastructures of emergency first responders.

Ecoterrorism: A Continuing Threat

The Washington Times reported that an extremist environmental group, the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), accepted responsibility for recently torching a Forest Service laboratory in Pennsylvania. The attack caused approximately $700,000 in damage and destruction of over 70 years of research. An ELF representative said the fire was in response to "threats posed to forest life by proposed timber sales, oil drilling, and greed driven manipulation of nature."

The ELF gained notoriety after destroying five buildings and four ski lifts in Colorado more than two years ago causing $12 million in damage. However, this extremist group continues to become more menacing. Since 1997, according to its website, ELF has carried out dozens of actions, causing more than $30 million in damage. Therefore, the FBI identified ELF as one of the country's primary domestic terrorism threats to life and property. Its membership figures are unknown because the group operates in "cells" that may consist of one or many individuals.

"While innocent life will never be harmed in any action we undertake, where it is necessary, we will no longer hesitate to pick up the gun to implement justice, and provide the needed protection for our planet that decades of legal battles, pleading protest, and economic sabotage have failed so drastically to achieve," the ELF said in a new statement. Clearly, this real threat means that the fire and emergency medical services must remain alert to the future activities of the ELF in order to protect community and department assets.

The First Domino among Critical Infrastructures

Given the dependent nature of electric power on computer-based control systems, many cybersecurity experts believe that the energy infrastructure is the first domino among national critical infrastructures. The CIPIC maintains, however, that America's "frontline soldiers" of the emergency first response community are the first domino on the local level. Life and property cannot be rescued or saved without the presence, equipment, training, and dedication of fire, police, and emergency medical personnel.

This week, we witnessed numerous ceremonies honoring the living and dead heroes of 11 September 2001. These events stirred many emotions among Americans everywhere. It still remains to be seen, though, if our collective emotional reactions will translate into positive activities that benefit the protection of the critical infrastructures of community first responders.

Municipalities and local emergency planning communities must be encouraged to actively support the first domino among the infrastructures of cities and counties. To preserve and advance the capabilities of local emergency first responders will require the active leadership of chief officers. Few others can be depended upon to persuade local officials that their most critical domino cannot be allowed to fall as a result of unintentional neglect.

Strengthening Hometown Critical Infrastructures

The cities and towns of the United States have been generally engaged to ensure the protection of local critical infrastructures by reviewing and revising their emergency preparedness plans, conducting training sessions and drills, participating in regional and statewide planning sessions, and restoring confidence in survivability and continuity of government.

In January, the National League of Cities (NLC) appointed a special working group on homeland security. This group guided the NLC's work in preparing resources to help city officials in carrying out their new roles as homeland defenders. The NLC website reflects the committee's work on behalf of America's cities and towns, and the addition of two new guidebooks: Hometown Security: Federal Resources for Local Governments, and also, Hometown Security: Practical Tools for Local Governments. Both can be downloaded by clicking the following URL: http://www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/newsroom/terrorism_response/index.cfm.