InfoGram

September 26, 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. FireAdministration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center at (301) 447-1325 or email at usfacipc@dhs.gov.

American Extremists

There is growing evidence that the general character of American demonstrators may be changing from peaceful and lawful to belligerent and violent. For example, tumultuous behavior erupted on the streets of Seattle during the World Trade Organization meeting in November 1999. In April 2000, Washington police arrested approximately 1,300 people during disruptive and confrontational demonstrations against the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Between 27 and 29 September 2002, demonstrators have scheduled several protests in Washington DC, against homeland security measures. The demonstrators admit that they do not have permits for their planned events. A statement by the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (ACC) indicates that "the group will not protest as usual, but will move outside the box and do the unexpected to truly challenge the system." An ACC organizer also said "they will be staking out strategic and political targets to disrupt traffic and convey a symbolic message to the city to draw attention to the issues ACC believes are important."

The threat to people and essential infrastructures from the anti-capitalist movement as well as other protest groups is quickly becoming a dangerous one, particularly for the fire, police, and emergency medical services. Therefore, the CIPIC advises that the leadership of emergency first responders endeavor to learn about the threat from American extremists and how they may attempt to capitalize on infrastructure vulnerabilities. Most of the groups have their own websites to publicize their views and recruit new members. If interested, see the following two websites: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/index.html; and http://sept.globalizethis.org/

Perhaps it would be prudent, if considered appropriate, to add substance to emergency response plans for those occasions when demonstrators resort to violent tactics that threaten the safety of citizens and community critical infrastructures.

Tropical Storm Isidore

Historically, hurricanes cause the most damage to the eastern and southeastern United States between June and November. But history also substantiates that tropical storms cannot be ignored. Tropical storms have many of the same characteristics found in hurricanes - counter clockwise winds, low pressure, heavy rains, and the potential for death and destruction. In fact, the only difference between a tropical storm and a Category I hurricane is one mile per hour. A tropical storm has winds of 39 to 73 mph. At 74 mph, the storm becomes a Category I hurricane.

Now that Tropical Storm Isidore has made landfall in the New Orleans area, inland flooding is a major concern. Over the next 24 hours (26 to 27 September), several states can expect rainfall in excess of seven inches in some areas. Residents in these areas have been encouraged to seek higher ground until the storm system moves through. On 24 September, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said: "Let's not wait till the eleventh hour to get everything together and that means having a plan for your family, for your loved ones, for your home, for your business, for your pets even. Let's think about those things right now. Now's the time to plan."

As the United States has experienced before, tropical storms are serious threats against the critical infrastructures of local governments and their emergency first responders. They have the tremendous potential to incapacitate the personnel, physical entities, and cyber systems essential for the accomplishment of missions affecting the life and property of citizens. Therefore, it would be wise to follow the advice of the FEMA Director seen in the preceding paragraph. Consistent with that advice, the leadership of the fire, police, and emergency medical services in areas susceptible to Tropical Storm Isidore and all nature attacks should determine the vulnerabilities of crucial assets threatened by severe weather events. The CIPIC recommends that those critical infrastructures susceptible to degradation or loss caused by this or other nature attacks should be strengthened with protective measures as soon as resources permit.

Planning for a Smallpox Attack

On 23 September, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued new detailed guidelines for the states regarding mass smallpox vaccinations. In releasing their most comprehensive smallpox preparedness plan to date, federal health authorities instructed the states to prepare to vaccinate every American in the event of a biological attack using smallpox. But, according to a New York Times report, some health experts expressed that the CDC's 48 page document must further answer questions about the timing, decision-making, cost, and logistical hurdles for preparing thousands of health professionals and volunteers to conduct mass vaccinations.

Health and medical officials from several states conveyed their preference that the plan address the vexing and politically delicate issue of whether to vaccinate public health workers and emergency first responders before a terrorist attack or once a smallpox attack has been confirmed. In response to this particular consideration, the White House is currently weighing whether to permit these vaccinations. The Secretary of Health and Human Services said a decision is expected by the end of this month.

Since this is a matter that affects the personnel infrastructure of EMS and fire departments, the CIPIC suggests that department leaders follow the latest developments pertaining to preventive smallpox vaccinations. Monitoring the federal government decision process about the availability of these vaccinations will enable chief officers to reliably assess the potential impact on department personnel, plans, and operations.

Protecting First Responders

A new report entitled Aid for Decontamination of Fire and Rescue Service Protective Clothing and Equipment After Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Exposures, was published late last week by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) funded and provided technical assistance in the development of the report, which is the first comprehensive set of basic procedures for decontaminating protective clothing and equipment of fire and rescue personnel responding to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attack.

The report consolidates decontamination guidelines and procedures from a wide range of sources, including fire departments, fiber and protective equipment manufacturers, and U.S. government laboratories specializing in CBRN research. It includes information on decontamination basics and specific information on decontamination following a single agent CBRN incident or attacks with multiple agents. This seminal publication additionally provides detailed information on common CBRN agents along with decontamination methods for each suspected or confirmed agent.

"Written in plain, easy-to-follow language," according to the National Volunteer Fire Council Chairman, "it can be used as a primary reference at an emergency scene, when time and information are both critical." The contents of the report can be seen under "publications" and downloaded from: http://fire.nist.gov. A limited number of reports are available by emailing or faxing a request to Ellen Altman, ellen.altman@nist.gov, facsimile: 301-975-4052.