InfoGram

October 20, 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.

United States National Grid

Two hurricanes in the Gulf Coast last month exposed some new lessons for the Emergency Services Sector. The experience also re-taught some old ones as well. A significant lesson repeated for "Katrina" and "Rita" responders was the need for quality maps containing a common or universal grid reference system that also works well with Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Reports from the impacted areas indicated that many available printed maps lacked essential details to get emergency personnel where needed, particularly where street signs, key landmarks, and other major terrain features no longer existed.

The EMR-ISAC supports the United States National Grid (USNG-NAD83 ) as the solution to this infrastructure and interoperability problem. USNG was adopted as the National Reference (Location) Standard in 2001 by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) to enhance homeland security and public safety. The standard is based on universally defined coordinate and grid systems to create a more favorable environment for location-focused services and the interoperability of those services. This (USNG) location reference system provides a common language that enables all users to rapidly share maps and location information in any emergency or contingency. USNG lends itself to maps much better than any of the three versions of longitude and latitude, especially in large scale or multi-jurisdictional operations.

The U.S. Fire Administration Interoperability Advisory Team recommends the fire service begin using the USNG as a universal location reference system so that everyone is using the same grid coordinates. (http://firechief.com/news/national-grid-usng8376/) Because of its probable benefits for critical infrastructure protection, the EMR-ISAC advocates USNG acceptance and application by all components of the Emergency Services Sector for incident responses on a local, regional or national level.

See the FGDC website at www.fgdc.gov/usng/ for more information. Also note that older GPS equipment should be set to the interoperable Military Grid Reference System (MGRS-WGS84).

Multi-Jurisdictional Drills

In several regions of the nation, local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) have been meeting to achieve regional coordination, address common problems, focus limited resources, agree on possible solutions, and develop effective multi-jurisdictional preparedness plans. These initiatives are significant also because of their potential value for the protection of community critical infrastructures including those of first responder organizations.

The EMR-ISAC learned that some LEPCs developed and conducted cross-jurisdictional drills to test their region's readiness as well as the response-ability of resident communities. Stakeholder departments and agencies within the region mobilized their resources for comprehensive and realistic drills that tested responsibilities, capabilities, protocols, procedures, etc. The drills evaluated strengths and weaknesses, and provided reliable direction for corrective action and continued emergency planning efforts.

These drills usually yield many benefits for each community, their citizens, and first responders. Furthermore, the EMR-ISAC submits that there can be advantages for critical infrastructure protection and continuity of operations as well.

Used-Vehicle Warning

Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations throughout the county struggle to maintain vehicles manufactured years or even decades ago as a result of continuously constrained budgets. The reality of limited financial resources has made pre-owned emergency vehicle acquisitions not only appealing, but necessary. Although many ESS leaders have extensive experience in the purchase of used emergency vehicles, the EMR-ISAC offers some information for consideration by those departments and agencies in the market for such vehicles.

Vehicles trapped by Hurricane Katrina that sat in seriously contaminated floodwaters "could pose unprecedented risks to anyone who handles the vehicles or their parts," according to the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair, a nonprofit organization that provides advice on pollution prevention and worker health and safety issues. A report posted on the Internet by the group (http://www.ccar-greenlink.org) warns that the flooded vehicles should be regarded as biohazards.

Of the approximately 570,000 vehicles damaged by Hurricane Katrina, 300,000 may have been in New Orleans. At the website of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (http://www.nicb.org), users can enter a vehicle's 17-digit identification number to find out whether it is among the 60,000 listed so far in a database of hurricane-damaged vehicles. Until the bureau's website has more complete listings, CARFAX provides a website (http://www.carfax.com/flood) to help determine whether a vehicle has been registered in a county that has been declared a federal emergency disaster area.

Legal Aspects of Disaster Planning and Management Explained

A free online continuing education course can assist emergency planners and government attorneys in understanding emergency preparedness and disaster recovery issues important to the leadership of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS).

Are You Ready? is a documentary-style video program prepared by the Center for Continuing Legal Education of the American Bar Association. In four segments of 6, 12, 22, and 29 minutes, a panel of local, state, and federal government experts share their experiences and suggestions for effective disaster planning and management using footage from 9/11, Hurricane Ivan, and New Mexico wildfires. Evaluation and continuing education self-study forms follow the program.

Available with the presentation is a downloadable guide that explains applicable laws, regulations, and written and unwritten FEMA interpretations and policies. The guide describes the Emergency and Major Disaster Declarations and the consequential Stafford Act. It includes a full copy of the American Planning Association's Policy Guide on Security as well as a copy of a Hurricane Ivan Incident Action Plan. Additionally, this guide clarifies funding, authority, personnel and government liability issues (e.g., rules for dealing with hazardous substances), mutual aid, and eligible emergency measures.

The EMR-ISAC suggests that these last three topics, in particular, are timely and relevant for ESS leadership engaged in emergency planning and critical infrastructure protection. To take the online course, visit http://www.abanet.org/cle/clenow/disasterreg.html and enter name and email address.