InfoGram

September 11, 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 information systems. It has been prepared by NATEK Incorporated for the US Fire Administration. For further information please contact the U.S. Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center at (301) 447-1325 or email at email at usfacipc@dhs.gov.

Determining the Threats

This is the third in a series of six brief articles that review the critical infrastructure protection (CIP) process as it applies to emergency first responders. The first ("A CIP Review") and the second ("Identifying Critical Infrastructures") articles can be seen in the 28 August and 4 September InfoGrams respectively.

Exactly two years ago the critical infrastructures of New York City emergency first responders were seriously degraded by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers. The people, physical assets, and communication systems indispensably necessary for survivability, continuity of operations, and mission success (i.e., critical infrastructures) suffered unprecedented losses in the collapse of both towers. Invaluable lessons were learned that day regarding the protection of departmental critical infrastructures as well as those owned by others, which directly or indirectly affect emergency response-ability and operational effectiveness.

Knowing the organizational critical infrastructures is the first step of the CIP process. The second step involves determining the "all-hazards" threats against each of these critical infrastructures. Threats or hazards are typically from people, nature, or hazardous material accidents. A determination of credible threat must be made for each critical infrastructure identified in the first step of the process. Department leaders should understand exactly which critical infrastructures are threatened and by whom or what.

Reliable comprehension of precisely what is threatened and how it may be attacked (e.g., terrorist, weather, etc.) will enable decision-makers to concentrate on only those infrastructures against which a credible threat exits. Despite the prevalence of terrorism, it is noteworthy that the history of the United States verifies nature is the most frequent source of attack or threat against the critical infrastructures of first responders and communities. Additionally, it is important to remember that the remaining steps of the CIP process depend upon whether or not a department's critical infrastructures are threatened.

A thorough explanation of CIP and the five-step process can be seen in the CIP Process Job Aid available as a Microsoft Word Document (81kb) to read and download at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/cipc/cipc-jobaid.shtm.

Another Most Essential Critical Infrastructure

The 28 August InfoGram discussed water as life's sustenance and safety infrastructure considering how much people depend on it for daily living, working, firefighting, etc. The urgent necessity for this life supporting substance was again confirmed during the widespread blackout in August. The cause of the water shortages and stoppages last month warrant the examination of another most essential critical infrastructure from an emergency services and management perspective. The additional essential infrastructure referred to here is electricity.

Congressional testimony earlier this month focused attention on the vulnerabilities of electric power systems, including their cyber sub-systems, and the enormous dependence of other critical infrastructures on the electric supply. Power experts testified that the basic infrastructure systems are a highly integrated, mutually dependent, and generally highly utilized set of infrastructure components (e.g., water and food supply, communications, natural gas, transportation, waste disposal, etc.) that provide American communities with vitally needed services and support. They stated: "While all these elements are essential to our well being, only one has the unique impact if lost of causing all others to either be seriously degraded or completely lost. And that, of course, is electric power." The specialists added: "Our technically advanced society is literally hard wired to a firm reliable electric supply."

The CIPIC recognizes that almost all emergency departments already have contingencies for operations during blackout conditions. However, given the serious electric power grid situation throughout a large part of the United States, and the prognostication for additional near-term power outages, the CIPIC suggests that emergency response departments and local emergency managers again revisit how their operations may be disrupted or prevented by the future short and long term loss of power supplies. Current plans that have been rehearsed, tested, and improved as required will ensure continuity of life and property saving operations without electricity.

Two Plant Toxins

Emergency medical personnel and hospital emergency staff should be aware of two plant toxins as potential poisoning agents. These poisons, nicotine and solanine, are naturally occurring toxins obtained from tobacco and potatoes, respectively. Terrorist manuals seized in Afghanistan detail the simple instructions on producing both poisons, although the FBI has no specific information indicating terrorists plan to use either in future attacks.

The acute toxicity of nicotine is well documented as a result of several accidental poisonings. It is a fast-acting poison, absorbed through the digestive and respiratory tracts, as well as through the skin and mouth. Solanine occurs naturally in "greened" potatoes. A large dosage of solanine is necessary to be fatal.

Acute nicotine poisoning will cause central nervous system depression, neuromuscular paralysis, lowered blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and death from paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Acute solanine poisoning results in cramps, fever, difficult breathing, coma, and death. The common symptoms of solanine poisoning occur 2-24 hours after exposure and include a harsh, scratchy sensation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, and dehydration.

If nicotine or solanine poisoning is suspected, first responders should call (800) 222-1222 to contact the nearest regional poison control center.

10 Steps for Emergency Managers

During a recent workshop sponsored by the National Academies in Washington, D.C., Eric Tolbert, Director, Response Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, appealed to emergency managers to look beyond their boundaries to regionalize, exploit technology, and retain an "all-hazards" focus. He implored them to concentrate on the needs of past, present, and future disaster victims as the customer, and to formulate policies and resource allocations based on their ultimate benefit. He summarized his recommendations in his "10 Steps" on how the profession of emergency management can survive and prosper in a multi-hazard prone environment. The following steps are an excerpt from a summary of the workshop published by the National Academies:

• Collaborate with other agencies, organizations, governments, and the private sector to establish a shared vision and commitment.
• Learn to compromise, adapt, and standardize for the greater good.
• Strategic planning skills are critical in the development of tangible, appropriate, and measurable capacity building.
• Look beyond personal geo-political boundaries to coordinate the development of new capabilities that are appropriate and sustainable.
• Academic institutions aid the identification of, and exploitation of new and emerging emergency response technologies.
• Retain an "all-hazards" approach to contingency planning and capacity development.
• Advertise your successes to promote continued support.
• Retain a "passion" for the emergency management profession, which has just begun to evolve.
• Retain a "compassion" for the victims, whom we are all here to serve.
• Be patient with the changing environment and ambiguities.