InfoGram

February 27, 2003

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.

Determining What to Protect

The CIPIC learned that some state and county governments decided not to raise their readiness levels when the Homeland Security Advisory System was recently at Level Orange. Administrators in those counties that did not increase local security believed there was no specific threat and serious vulnerability to warrant more action. It is also possible they were satisfied with the current readiness conditions of their communities. These officials indicated their decision saved taxpayers significant amounts of money by avoiding extra emergency response and other expenses.

Although the CIPIC can have no opinion on the decisions of state and local leaders, it does endorse the logic of expending extremely scarce resources on only those infrastructures and key assets that are both threatened and vulnerable. The infrastructures and key assets that are assessed to be threatened and also vulnerable to natural or man-made attacks are "critical" and should be protected by the application of countermeasures. Since it is unwise and impractical to try to protect everything, this approach reduces the personnel, physical entities, and cyber systems to only those that really, really need to be protected.

Support for Fire/EMS CIP

Because money for CIP is scarce or non-existent, it might be helpful, perhaps even rewarding, for local emergency response departments to research which businesses or charitable organizations may be willing to purchase equipment, apparatus, etc., to enhance the infrastructure protection of the fire and emergency medical services. For this reason, the CIPIC offers the following information as reasonable possibilities for assistance with CIP activities:

A recent article in Business Week Online reported that New Jersey officials are pursuing a unique collaboration with private industry that may result in commercial businesses donating money, equipment, services, and workers to bolster counterterrorism and infrastructure protection. The program, in its final stages of development, is the creation of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) and the N.J. State Office of Counterterrorism. Initially, state leaders were skeptical about the success of the program until BENS promised $600,000 to local officials. Consequently, Secretary Ridge applauded the initiative and said it could "serve as a template" for the rest of the country.

A Government Accounting Office (GAO) survey confirms that charitable organizations made a major contribution in the nation's response to the September 11 disasters. Charitable organizations were established originally to address the needs of the poor or distressed and other social welfare issues. However, in the latter half of the last century, charities adapted their work to meet more broader urgent needs of people and communities. Approximately 35 large relief charities, 34 national voluntary organizations, as well as 52 state and territorial voluntary organizations provide either financial or physical support to assist people and communities throughout the United States.

Suspicious Activity Involving Firehouses

At ten minutes after midnight on 25 February, an adult male of Middle Eastern appearance was found trying to open access doors to a fire station. The man was confronted by a firefighter and stated he was seeking information about joining the fire department and how duty schedules are done.

During the daytime on 26 February, an unaccompanied adult male of Middle Eastern appearance was found inside another fire station. When approached by firefighters, he quickly escaped and was not questioned. It is unknown how he gained access into the firehouse.

Given that these incidents have been linked to separate individuals and fire stations, authorities are examining if there is a pattern of people trying to obtain critical information about department operational procedures and staffing without providing any of their own personal information. Therefore, the CIPIC recommends that all departments should be on alert for any persons attempting to collect sensitive information. The CIPIC also advises that all department facilities, apparatus, and equipment should be properly secured when not in use. Finally, incidents such as these should be reported immediately to local authorities and the NIPC using the contact information seen at the end of this InfoGram.

Citizen Support for the Fire and Emergency Medical Services

In a recent press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced meaningful ways to seek and accept citizen support to the nation's fire and emergency medical services through the Citizen Corps initiative.

"It is imperative that America's firefighters and front line responders undertake an effort to embrace this important Citizen Corps initiative. Citizen Corps has already begun to get Americans engaged in active support to their first responders," R. David Paulison, USFA Administrator said. "Further, the fire service support of Citizen Corps will also help American citizens become more active in preparing their families, their neighborhood, and their communities for emergencies."

"Citizen Corps provides a valuable opportunity for citizens to assist their fire departments with preparing their neighborhoods for all community-wide emergencies and disasters," said Administrator Paulison. "I am asking and welcome all leaders and members of America's first responder agencies to become involved in the Citizen Corps initiative."

There are currently several major national initiatives underway. Information regarding this initiative can be found at: www.citizencorps.gov. More specific information for first responders is available at the USFA website: www.usfa.fema.gov.