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) previously reported about an outbreak of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) that infected 20 members of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) during a one-month period in 2006. An overview of MRSA, its dangers to ESS personnel, and precautionary measures can be seen at the third article of the 16 November 2006 InfoGram.
In a recently published cross-sectional study of MRSA contamination, five specific areas of vehicles in an ambulance fleet were tested with nearly half positive for contamination. According to "jems.com," the contamination was discovered primarily "not in areas touched by the patient, but in areas utilized by the crew." The areas tested included steering wheels and work areas, places where frequent contact by responders occurs. Study results are summarized at JEMS.com.
Among new informational resources for emergency response organizations on the topic of MRSA is a "MRSA watch" daily update. This website offers free subscriptions for regular electronic updates of MRSA news. Another resource is a downloadable PDF brochure, "Living with MRSA" (PDF, 1.9 Mb), which could be used as an employee handout for its concise precautionary guidance.
Additionally, in discussions with the staff of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the EMR-ISAC learned of a guide prepared by PERF for the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Role of Law Enforcement in Public Health Emergencies, Special Considerations for an All-Hazards Approach (PDF, 2.3 Mb) examines responder protection issues, including risks from infectious diseases, personal protective equipment, and protecting responders' families.
The EMR-ISAC encourages leaders, owners, and operators of ESS organizations to stay apprised of infectious diseases outbreaks most likely to be encountered during emergency operations. It is also prudent to inform employees of the associated risks, and institute ongoing precautions such as installing industrial hand sanitizers, having personnel clean and protect any openings in their skin, and disinfect department vehicles before and after each response.
A report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that high-pressure fans used to direct air flow up the stairway of a burning high-rise building can increase the effectiveness and survivability of responders by ridding the stairwell of smoke and toxic gases.
The Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC), interested in the personnel protection benefits for the Emergency Services Sector (ESS), learned that NIST analyzed 160 experiments using small and large fans in the stairwell of a 30-story office building. NIST engineers found that the positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) techniques used in small homes also work in tall structures. If implemented correctly, the techniques can both limit the amount of smoke and heat entering the stairway, and push smoke and deadly gases out of the structure.
Pressurization smoke control systems, which usually consist of mounted wall fans, have been incorporated into high-rise buildings since the 1970s. However, as the report points out, "In many cases the buildings do not have the necessary systems or the systems fail to operate properly… Many high-rise incidents have resulted in fire fighter fatalities due to disorientation, running out of air, or changes in wind conditions." The NIST experiments represent the first scientific evaluation of PPV technology using portable fans for buildings without built-in systems.
During the experiments, NIST researchers found that the noise levels near the working fans sometimes reached 110 decibels, comparable to the level of a chainsaw. They advise emergency responders to establish command posts well away from the fans.
With respect to choosing fans, NIST suggests that ESS organizations could use formulas that incorporate data for certified air flows with information related to the height or the volume of a building. NIST plans a second series of tests later this summer with the assistance of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department.
To view guidelines for the most effective use and positioning of portable PPV fans, review Evaluating Positive Pressure Ventilation in Large Structures: High-Rise Pressure Experiments (NISTIR 7415. PDF, 2.2 Mb).
The Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reminds Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel that specialized computer flash drives can weaken the communications/cyber infrastructure of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS).
Flash drives typically are used to copy information from a computer for temporary storage. However, devices such as the SnoopStick™ brand USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive have certain software that allows a user to virtually monitor and control a targeted computer. After inserting the device, a 60-second setup program installs. The user then plugs the device into any other Windows-based computer with an Internet connection and a USB port. The device's software will automatically connect to the target computer.
The resulting snooping activity is undetectable to the targeted computer's operator. The perpetrator can monitor the PC in real time, record its activity (for up to 12 months), and control all aspects of the machine's Internet use and access.
These devices, which can be surreptitiously inserted and set up so quickly, can be used to acquire sensitive and proprietary information with no trace of the illegal or illegitimate activity. The EMR-ISAC suggests that emergency personnel protect their critical information from unauthorized monitoring or theft by learning more about these devices. Visit usbflashdrive.org, one of many PC peripheral device Websites, for more information.
The Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) is aware of a proposed change in standard practices that could increase the protection and survivability of Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel.
Several law enforcement agencies have temporarily suspended the practice of "stepping out," and are reviewing the general use of the procedure. Senior leaders at those agencies are concerned that allowing officers to step onto roadways during stops of speeding drivers increases the risk of injury or death to personnel. While the practice is under review by these departments, officers will not step onto roadways. In the interim, they may continue doing so on lower-speed roads only, if necessary, until final decisions are made. Meanwhile, speeders will be stopped by pursuing law enforcement vehicles. For details, go to Officer.com.
Furthermore, "Officer.com" offers self-protection skills for ESS members, particularly paramedics and emergency medical technicians, not typically trained in self-defense techniques. In the article, "From the Mat to the Street: Realistic Takedown Defense ," text and accompanying photographs explain "sprawling," a martial arts defensive technique that can be used when responders are forced to engage in ground fighting, an ill-advised but sometimes unavoidable tactic.
After explaining sprawling step by step, the author also advises readers about techniques useful if an attacker thwarts the sprawling tactic. The EMR-ISAC suggests the article as a possible addition to street survival training tips.
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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Happy New Year! Add this resolution to the top of your list: test all home smoke alarms each month - starting today! January 1, 2013 @ 10:04 AM ET
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