February 5, 2004
NOTE: This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the emergency management and response sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. It has been prepared by NATEK Incorporated for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by email at emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov.
The recent discoveries of ricin are sobering reminders that American citizens remain vulnerable to domestic and/or transnational extremists who decide to disrupt the nation's daily routine. Positive confirmation of this toxic powder forced the quarantine and decontamination of several U.S. Senate staff workers, and placed many on alert for any unusual symptoms during the past few days. It additionally required the closing of approximately three government buildings and triggered a major reaction by federal and local agencies.
Ricin is a poisonous substance that can be made from the waste left over from processing castor beans. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. The poison is only minimally affected by extreme conditions such as very hot or very cold temperatures.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offer recommendations for emergency personnel responding to suspected ricin incidents. The recommendations for personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection and protective clothing, are based upon the anticipated level of exposure risk associated with different response situations. Although personnel should first refer to and follow local HAZMAT protocols for this type of substance, the CDC/NISOH recommendations are summarized as follows:
NOTE: More information about responding to ricin can be obtained at the following links: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/facts.asp, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/erc9009-86-3.asp
The Department of Homeland (DHS) issued an Information Bulletin on 4 February to alert frontline border inspectors, state and local officials, and emergency first responders of the continued interest by terrorist organizations to use innocuous items to package improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A technique commonly taught in Afghan terrorist training camps is the conversion and use of pressure cookers as an IED.
To make such a bomb the terrorist will place TNT or other explosives into a pressure cooker and attach a blasting cap at the top of the airtight utensil. The size of the blast depends on the size of the pressure cooker and the amount of explosives inserted within. Pressure cooker bombs are made with readily available materials and can be as simple or as complex as the bomber decides. Unfortunately, because it is a common cooking utensil throughout the world, the pressure cooker is often overlooked when searching vehicles crossing borders and the residences of suspected terrorists.
DHS suggests the following protective measures for personnel who might come into contact with questionable pressure cookers:
Most leaders of the fire and emergency medical services practice outstanding vertical and horizontal coordination to produce results with benefits for the personnel, physical assets, and communication systems of their departments. These leaders have successfully learned the proactive human relations skills necessary to acquire the cooperation and support of key allies in the protection of their organization's critical infrastructures. They have personally experienced that relationship building will significantly help to reduce some of the obstacles to the protection of their critical infrastructures.
The EMR-ISAC hears a common theme when speaking to some of these fire/EMS senior leaders. They frequently recommend that the chief officer in each department develop strong professional relationships with their counterparts in other local agencies. The EMR-ISAC reminds that relationship building must be a never-ending evolution, which constantly seeks perfection.
The following activities or agencies are most often mentioned as essential allies to formulate a united front for the protection of community and emergency response critical infrastructures:
A series of four new FEMA publications offer guidance on designing, engineering, and constructing high-occupancy buildings that are more resistant to damage from terrorist attacks. These resources were developed to make American communities aware of science and technology that can be used to protect people and critical infrastructures from the effects of these attacks on structures such as schools and commercial buildings.
As part of the Multi-Hazard Risk Management Series, the publications supplement a previously issued FEMA guide on integrating human-caused hazards into mitigation planning and are targeted for public policy officials, emergency managers, facility owners and managers, architects and building construction professionals.
The publications are free and can be downloaded from FEMA's website at: http://www.fema.gov/fima/rmsp.shtm. They can be ordered through the FEMA publication distribution center by calling 1-800-480-2520.
The new Fire and Emergency Services Preparedness Guide for the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) offers suggestions for activities that may be appropriate for the five HSAS levels. A complete copy of the guide can be seen and downloaded from the following link in text or PDF: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/subjects/emr-isac/cipc-jobaid.shtm
The U.S. Fire Administration/EMR-ISAC does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.
This INFOGRAM may contain copyrighted material that was not specifically authorized by the copyright owner. EMR-ISAC personnel believe this constitutes "fair use" of copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use copyrighted material contained within this document for your own purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
DHS and the FBI encourage recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and/or the FBI. The DHS National Operation Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by email at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov.
The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by email at NICC@dhs.gov.
When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.
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