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.
The Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) disseminates Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) Notices to the validated leaders of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). The information originates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and normally contains timely and important FOUO information regarding the threats to, vulnerabilities of, and security best practices for ESS departments and agencies. These CIP (FOUO) Notices typically assist emergency planning and operations for all hazards, particularly terrorism.
The following ESS leaders are eligible to receive CIP (FOUO) Notices through the EMR-ISAC:
Individuals in the above qualifying positions who are already receiving this weekly InfoGram, but not the CIP (FOUO) Notices should contact the EMR-ISAC as soon as possible at emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov or 301-447-1325.
CIP (FOUO) Notices are exclusively for the vetted ESS leaders listed above. The information should NOT be released either in oral or written form to the media, the general public or other personnel who do not have a valid "need to know" without prior approval from the EMR-ISAC. Additionally, all printed FOUO information should be stored in a locked container when not in use.
NOTE: DHS products (e.g., CIP (FOUO) Notices) will be disseminated in Adobe Acrobat v6.0 format. Use the following link to acquire a free update to Adobe Acrobat v7.0: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2986.
Considering an early start to the wildfire season, the recent series of tornadoes, and the imminent arrival of the hurricane season, "Getting Ready for Disaster - One Family's Experience" is a just-in-time DVD for the public and Emergency Services Sector (ESS). Preparation of the DVD was funded by the U.S. Fire Administration using a donation from British Petroleum.
Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) begins at home for ESS personnel as well as citizens. For first responders, leaving their family members to perform emergency duties will be less worrisome when they know their families and homes are as protected as possible. The Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) suggests that this kind of personal preparedness can enhance organizational preparedness, while simultaneously bolstering CIP efforts.
The DVD's seven segments guide viewers through important steps of disaster preparedness and bring into focus such issues as drafting a family disaster plan, stockpiling food and water, helping children cope with disasters, preparing for special populations, and getting involved in the Citizen Corps. The content is based on the most reliable hazard awareness and emergency education information, such as the latest scientific knowledge and physical research on what happens in disasters.
"Getting Ready for Disasters," available by calling 1-800-480-2520 and requesting "FEMA 500," is designed to be used with "Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness." It is one of many resources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Preparedness Directorate. To acquire additional preparedness materials, visit http://www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.
In the many after-action reports analyzing the response to Hurricane Katrina, the lack of reliable communications for the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) has been discussed and debated. With the 2006 hurricane season just weeks away, the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) suggests consideration of a communications alternative that is widely available and proved viable last season: a Short Message Service (SMS) or text messaging.
During disasters, SMS's major advantage is that the messages travel as small packets of data on a wireless carrier's control channel, the same portion of the spectrum that keeps a cellular network apprised of a particular phone's location and status. Text messages, isolated in the control panel that typically is not affected by traffic or adverse conditions, do not rely on voice channels for transmission, and they don't piggyback on enterprise email servers. They are able to get through when most other methods fail.
Communications industry experts report that "SMS addresses the need to transmit specific and actionable data, such as damage assessments, medical updates, and continuity-of-operations plans." One of its features - queuing - allows messages to sit if not sent immediately. The network continues to attempt to make the connection, thereby eliminating the need for manual redialing. SMS is a minimalist technology; its smaller logistical needs require less support.
The EMR-ISAC located the following tips for response organizations to make the most of mobile communications devices they may already own:
A chief of communications for the U.S. Coast Guard also suggests ESS departments establish several dozen user accounts on free Web-based email services so that if the department loses its email servers, personnel can log into the free accounts to communicate.
A reliable, readily available form of communication (e.g., SMS) in disasters is a way for the ESS not only to track the whereabouts and well-being of its most important infrastructure - personnel - but to remain apprised of the integrity of all infrastructures.
Emergency managers are responsible for the development of comprehensive, all-hazards emergency management programs in their jurisdictions. They work closely with all departments and agencies that play a key role in emergency response, i.e., the emergency services, public health, public works, human/social service agencies, etc. Last month, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) released an action plan for mutual aid and assistance networks for water and wastewater utilities, one of the nation's critical infrastructures.
In a recent policy statement, the Water Sector stated its commitment to a "Utilities Helping Utilities" concept and is taking steps to encourage the establishment of intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks. The effort intends to assist damaged water utilities and provide rapid, short-term deployment of emergency services to restore the operations of affected water utilities. The policy statement explains that formalizing the existing capability for mutual aid and assistance provides the water sector with a degree of resiliency against disasters. Establishing intrastate mutual aid networks is a core principle of the DHS National Preparedness Goal and should ensure continuity of such critical services as firefighting.
The Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recognizes emergency management's vital role as an overseer of critical services during disasters and offers AWWA's action plan as a possible resource for joint planning with the water sector. Upon review, the EMR-ISAC notes that the action plan contains guidance, forms, and procedures that might be useful across other utilities and sectors. The plan's model agreement, offered as a discussion tool for drafting a formal mutual aid agreement, stipulates that requesting and responding utilities must be organized and function under the National Incident Management System.
The 40-page white paper, Utilities Helping Utilities: An Action Plan for Mutual Aid and Assistance Networks for Water and Wastewater Utilities is available at http://www.awwa.org/Advocacy/Govtaff/Documents/Utilities_Helping_Utilities.pdf.
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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