InfoGram

April 14, 2005

NOTE: This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. 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.

Applying Protective Measures

Countless municipalities and emergency organizations throughout the country are abundantly challenged to protect their critical infrastructures with extremely limited resources (e.g., money, time, personnel, material, etc.). Since January 2005, several emergency managers and chief officers still affirm: "I have very little time and no money to practice CIP and implement protective measures." This reality supports the necessity for a critical infrastructure protection (CIP) process that is both time-efficient and resource-restrained.

The EMR-ISAC stresses that leaders of communities and their first response departments concern themselves with only those infrastructures that are credibly threatened by and vulnerable to man-made and/or natural sources. Focusing exclusively on threatened and also vulnerable infrastructures will significantly reduce the list of what might need protection. Assessing the real risk of doing nothing about the personnel, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems (i.e., critical infrastructures) on this "short list" is the next logical step of the CIP process. When the practitioner establishes that the risk of degradation or loss of a truly critical infrastructure will adversely affect survivability, continuity of operations, and mission success, then the decision-maker must proceed to applying protective measures.

Protective measures (also called "countermeasures") can be passive, active, or procedural, and differ in terms of feasibility, expense, and effectiveness. They can be simple or complex actions limited only by imagination and creativity. Passive measures function simply because they exist such as doors, windows, and fences. Active measures involve actions such as installing barriers, locks, alarms, and intrusion detection systems. Finally, procedural measures entail the preparation or revision of standard operating procedures, preparedness plans, safety checklists, training, and exercises.

When prohibitive costs or other factors delay active countermeasures, the EMR-ISAC recommends greater consideration and dependence on procedural methods as an alternative means to avoid unacceptable risk and to do something positive about protecting critical infrastructures.

Preparing Rural America for All Hazards

Recent studies by homeland security professionals confirmed the urgency for the protection of the "vitally and strategically important" critical infrastructures found throughout the rural areas of the United States. Some Americans perceive rural areas to be just farmland, plains, and dense forest. However, much of the nation's food supply, water sources, and essential industries (e.g., dams, power plants, water treatment facilities, etc.) are located in rural areas. One specialist stated that "rural areas bring with them unique 'all-hazards' protection challenges that are far different than their urban counterparts." Another researcher lamented that "if a catastrophic terrorist attack occurs in an urban area, the possible exodus to 'Rural America' would further strain emergency response and health care systems." The EMR-ISAC accepts these studies and statements as a caution of what remains to be done in support of comprehensive homeland security.

In its report, Preparing for Public Health Emergencies: Meeting the Challenge in Rural America, the Harvard Center for Public Health Preparedness recommended action by policy makers at all levels of government as well as by the leaders of the emergency and public health services. Specifically, the report advocated the following activities for America's rural areas:

• Apply adequate preparations to protect citizens from man-made and natural disasters.
• Strengthen the emergency and public health systems.
• Provide the financial and human resources to achieve acceptable readiness.
• Ensure emergency preparedness is accomplished in a cost-effective manner.

Preparing for Public Health Emergencies: Meeting the Challenges in Rural America can be viewed at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hcphp/Conference_Proceedings.pdf. Members of the emergency and public health services can call 617-495-9511 to request a hard copy of this 36-page document.

Communicating in an Emergency

Emergency personnel, elected officials, and local residents expect and deserve timely and responsible information, particularly during major incidents. Many in leadership positions depend on information to make rational decisions on behalf of those they serve. Others need information for physical and emotional purposes. Regardless of the reasons, emergency communications must be well-timed, imperative, accurate, and clearly stated. The EMR-ISAC proposes that effective communications in an emergency can have favorable benefits for critical infrastructure protection (CIP). Messages disseminated by various media that cultivate knowledge and comprehension can potentially improve the health, safety, and performance of those who count on the information.

Therefore, having consulted with communication specialists, the EMR-ISAC offers the following key considerations for the leaders of the emergency services when communicating in an emergency:

• Present information sequentially while avoiding wordiness.
• Give the precise reason for the announcement.
• Provide brief supporting information and a conclusion.
• Omit unnecessary details using the fewest words to say the most.
• Avoid jargon, codes, and acronyms.
• Use common names for people and places.
• Keep the message consist across applicable media forums.

Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher

The 2005 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher focuses line going personnel on operations and decision-making issues related to fireline safety. The training will ensure firefighters have information regarding current initiatives, the upcoming fire season, and any policy or guidance changes. This training is also provided to help personnel recognize risk, maintain safe practices, and to reduce accidents and near misses. More information about this valuable opportunity can be found at the website for the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): http://www.nifc.gov/wfstar/index.htm.

The EMR-ISAC additionally recommends Six Minutes for Safety, "an interagency safety initiative that, on a daily basis, addresses high risk situations that historically get firefighters in trouble." The NIFC encourages every fire program to become involved in this effort "to find new ways to keep our people safe on the fireline." To participate in these safety discussions, see the details at the following link: http://www.nifc.gov/sixminutes/dsp_sixminutes.php.