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.
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Since the 12 October transition of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) information email notifications from the now defunct DisasterHelp.gov to GovDelivery, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) has received numerous electronic messages and phone calls. These contacts pertained to difficulties with receiving or opening the three CIP (For Official Use Only) Notices (79-07, 80-07, and 81-07) disseminated after the conversion.
Only personnel validated to receive the CIP (For Official Use Only) Notices who frequently logged in to open these notices since 1 January 2007, received a message from administrator@interactive.dhs.gov stating that they must log into the DHSInteractive portal with a new user name and password provided in the email. If you received this message, please comply with the directions to ensure your uninterrupted receipt of the CIP (FOUO) Notices.
Many individuals currently occupying emergency services leadership positions who were validated to receive CIP (FOUO) Notices before the transition did not receive a message from administrator@interactive.dhs.gov. Non-receipt was likely caused by a bad email address or failure to frequently open previous FOUO documents. Some subscribers, who did receive the message failed to save their user name and password, discovered their password did not work, or experienced security certificate issues.
If you did not receive the message from DHSInteractive and still desire to receive CIP (FOUO) Notices, please send a message to emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov containing all official contact information. However, if you did receive the message with a user name and password, but are experiencing the problems stated in the preceding paragraph, please contact the DHSInteractive Helpdesk at 1-866-916-8306 or dhssaicashburn@hq.dhs.gov.
The EMR-ISAC apologizes for the inconveniences resulting from the mandatory migration of information sharing services from one system to another. Those people who have written the ISAC in the past several days are requested to patiently await a solution, while the EMR-ISAC staff researches each problem to identify and provide an expeditious solution. Although there are many personnel already expecting an answer, the EMR-ISAC staff will ensure that corrective action is taken in every case within the next two weeks.
In the event of a chemical or biological incident, the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) can obtain support from the Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF), an element of II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), U.S. Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM). Located in Indian Head, MD, CBIRF forward-deploys and/or responds by land, sea, or air worldwide to credible threats of chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRNE) events on short notice.
Once on scene, CBIRF activities include reconnaissance (detecting and identifying threats), rescue and extraction (confined space rescue, trench rescue, vehicle and advanced rope rescue, and collapsed structure stabilization and rescue), medical care in "hot zones," decontamination, explosive ordnance disposal (render Improvised Explosive Devices safe), command and control (critical network communications), and logistics (self-contained, self-sufficient task-organized unit). To receive the Force's assistance at the local level, the senior elected official (e.g., mayor) must contact the governor, who formally requests CBIRF.
In researching CBIRF's role as a valuable resource and critical infrastructure protection multiplier, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that the Force's interactions with ESS organizations have bolstered the operational readiness of first responders through cross-training, joint exercises, and information sharing. CBIRF personnel also have performed hundreds of evaluations of commercial off-the-shelf items that enhance personal protection equipment, detection, and decontamination of agents. CBIRF interacts with all standards-writing organizations, and works on an ongoing basis to improve research, development and acquisition of new equipment.
ESS departments or their communities can direct requests for training and exercise support to Captain Charles Atwood at (301) 744-2027, or by writing to charles.atwood@usmc.mil.
Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments are among the institutions reporting outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or staph infections. The group-living environment of many responder organizations is favorable for easy transmission of MRSA through shared gear and equipment, skin-to-skin contact, and active personnel whose cuts or abrasions offer openings in the skin. ESS personnel also interact with the public on a daily basis.
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reported on recent increases in MRSA incidents in last week's InfoGram. From a self-protection standpoint, it is important for responders to understand not only the conditions and behaviors that drive increases in MRSA outbreaks, but to recognize the early signs of an infection and seek appropriate testing and medical treatment. Skin and soft tissue infections occur frequently across all populations, but if recognized, diagnosed, and treated, typically do not reach the life-threatening status described in recent media reports.
The Website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is featuring a newly released, concise (4:57 minutes) podcast that addresses key facts about MRSA infections in the United States. A downloadable transcript also is available.
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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Last Reviewed: Historical Document
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