InfoGram

May 6, 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.

Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices

Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDS) are among the many threats for which members of the nation's emergency management and response (EMR) sector must consider in their vigilance and emergency planning. Intelligence sources indicate that terrorist organizations use VBIEDS to conduct attacks that inflict mass casualties and extensive property damage. These devices have been disastrously employed in the 1993 World Trade Center and 1995 Oklahoma City bombings. Furthermore, terrorists confirmed in the March 2004 Madrid attack that hitting multiple soft targets simultaneously with numerous VBIEDS is a tactic that works.

Past utilizations of VBIEDS suggest that pre-incident indicators may be present in the days or weeks prior to an assault. Therefore, federal government officials believe such bombings may be preempted if the general public, community leaders, and all emergency responders remain alert for certain indicators. Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has no specific information to corroborate that attacks with VBIEDS are being planned, counterterrorism experts offer some indicators to assist in efforts to recognize potential VBIEDS incidents. It is important to understand that the existence of any one of these indicators does not alone imply terrorist activity. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC recommends that each of the following be carefully assessed together with other available information to judge whether there is cause for reporting, further investigation, specific preparations, and protective measures:

• Purchase or theft of explosives or chemicals.
• Rental of self-storage units followed by delivery of explosives or chemicals.
• Chemical fires, toxic odors, or brightly colored stains in apartments or hotel rooms.
• Theft of a truck or van with a carrying capacity exceeding one ton.
• Modification of smaller capacity vehicles to accept a load exceeding one ton.
• Small test explosions in rural or wooded areas.
• Unexplained treated or untreated chemical burns or missing hands and/or fingers.
• Purchase or theft of blue prints to critical infrastructures and facilities or key resources.
• Physical surveillance of critical infrastructures and facilities or key resources.

More About EOCs

During the past week, the EMR-ISAC received phone calls and electronic messages requesting more information about Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). It was good to witness the interest generated by the article in the 29 April InfoGram seen at the following link: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/subjects/emr-isac/infograms/ig2004/igapr2904.shtm. But before proceeding, there is one aspect of this subject that warrants emphasis: "EOCs are an important part of the support structure for the incident command system (ICS) and its unified command (UCS) application." Again, the message here is that EOCs exist to support the many requirements of incident commanders.

The following quote about EOCs was taken directly from the National Incident Management System (NIMS), dated March 1, 2004:

"EOCs represent the physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support domestic incident management activities normally takes place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located in a more central or permanently established facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by major functional disciplines (e.g., fire, law enforcement, and medical services), by jurisdiction (e.g., federal, state, regional, county, city, tribal), or some combination thereof."

Please see pages 26 and 27 of the NIMS for more information. The entire document of 152 pages can be seen and downloaded at: http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NIMS-90-web.pdf.

Small Cities and Towns Day

The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Small Cities Council have called on the leaders of the nation's small cities, towns, and villages to join together on 11 June to mark the fourth annual National Small Cities and Towns Day. NLC encourages small cities and towns across the country to schedule an event on this day "to celebrate the accomplishments of small communities, draw attention to the essential roles they play in American life, and focus on the need for renewed federal-local partnership during these challenging times." NLC recommends communities adopt a resolution, convene a press conference, or provide information about a particular program or service.

Considering "these challenging times," the EMR-ISAC proposes that 11 June might be an appropriate forum for community leaders (including the emergency managers and first response department chief officers) to provide assurances that local critical infrastructures and key resources are being examined and protected as necessary. This can be done without divulging sensitive details that would be useful to adversaries. At this same time, municipal leaders can promote local volunteerism (e.g., Citizen Corps) and vigilance as practical ways citizens can contribute to the survivability, continuity, and protection of their community. Critical infrastructure protection (CIP) is a leader responsibility, but a community effort!

Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire Service

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) announced on 3 May the availability of a new guidebook providing comprehensive information on fitness and wellness for volunteer firefighters and fire departments. The guidebook aims to reduce loss of life from heart attack and stress and includes examples of effective health and wellness programs. This document complements existing U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) firefighter wellness and fitness partnerships with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison remarked, "Health and wellness issues are the No. 1 cause of line of duty firefighter fatalities throughout the volunteer fire service." He also said, "Effective firefighter wellness programs as a key effort in reducing this loss of life will help this nation reduce the unacceptable number of line of duty deaths."

Limited quantities of this publication may be ordered free of charge. It can be downloaded by visiting http://www.usfa.fema.gov (click on publications) or by calling 800-561-3356 to order. More information about USFA's Fire Service Fitness and Wellness initiatives and partnerships can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/research/safety/fitness.shtm.