InfoGram 43-07: November 1, 2007

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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CIP (FOUO) Notices Delivery Disruptions

The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) continues to receive numerous daily electronic messages and phone calls from Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel experiencing difficulty receiving or opening the CIP (For Official Use Only) Notices. These documents are disseminated by the EMR-ISAC through two new systems implemented on 12 October by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transition Team.

The EMR-ISAC is working aggressively with the DHS Transition Team to resolve each of the problems caused by the mandatory migration of CIP information subscribers to DHSInteractive for access to CIP (FOUO) Notices, and also GovDelivery to receive the documents by electronic messaging (email). The "seamless" movement of thousands of subscribers from one system to two new systems has presented challenges for the Transition Team as well as the EMR-ISAC.

Again, the EMR-ISAC apologizes for the inconveniences resulting from these actions. Those individuals who have written the ISAC in the past couple of weeks 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 diligently ensure that corrective action is taken in every case as soon as possible.

Subscribers of CIP (FOUO) Notices who are having problems receiving or opening the documents, but have not yet written or called the EMR-ISAC, are requested to contact the DHSInteractive Helpdesk at dhssaicashburn@hq.dhs.gov or 1-866-916-8306 (toll free).

IEDs: Rising Threat in U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI recently warned that homemade improvised explosive devices (IEDs) pose a rising threat to the United States. Counterterrorism specialists define the domestic IED threat across a wide spectrum, including "a block of TNT with a remote-controlled detonator; a fertilizer bomb delivered by car, truck, or plane; and a suicide bomber carrying a peroxide-based explosive." At the extreme, "an IED can be enhanced into a �dirty bomb,' rigged to scatter radioactive material."

Regarding the IED threat, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said that American emergency services departments and agencies "need to understand the latest terrorist bomb-making techniques being used overseas if they are to help thwart domestic bombings." Others have written that "if an actual explosive device is found, emergency responders must be prepared for the existence of a secondary device." It may be useful to know there was an IED explosion on 26 September in a NC Wal-Mart.

According to an article at firerescue1.com, recognizing IEDs and other unexploded ordnance is the first and most important step in reducing the risk of injury or death. Therefore, the following simple safety measures should be applied to protect first responders from IEDs and unexploded devices:

• Immediately report the discovery of a suspected device.
• Do not move close to an identified device.
• Never remove anything near the object.
• Clearly mark the location of the IED or unexploded device.
• Keep at least 500 feet away from any device that is on fire.

To obtain more information regarding bombing prevention, the EMR-ISAC recommends Emergency Services Sector organizations use TRIPwire, a secure online portal sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security Office for Bombing Prevention. TRIPwire is designed to provide technical and operational information on terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures. It also facilitates information sharing and networking by offering collaboration tools such as community forums and secure email.

All users should log into the system at www.tripwire-dhs.net. Subscribers will log in with a user name and password personally selected during the registration process. In the event assistance is required, contact the TRIPwire Helpdesk at 866-987-9473 (toll free).

Influenza Protection

Influenza, the contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year." Therefore, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) urges members of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) to acquire a flu vaccination to protect themselves and to maintain organizational "response-ability."

Flu season can begin as early as October and continue as late as May. The CDC recommends the months of October and November as the optimal timeframe to receive the flu shot, but getting the vaccine in the months of December and January is acceptable. For those who forgo the shot, flu symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, body aches, and rhinitis, resulting in personnel shortages for responder organizations. Unfortunately, influenza can also cause serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia and dehydration, and a worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza, or by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. The ESS, already sensitized to the importance of highly sanitized environments to control other contagious agents such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, should remain vigilant in maintaining exemplary hygiene practices. Check the CDC's influenza homepage for additional information.

Coast Guard "DOG"

In July, the U.S. Coast Guard established the Deployable Operations Group (DOG): 3,000 Coast Guard personnel organized, equipped, and trained to be rapidly deployed "in adaptive force packages anywhere and anytime they are needed to protect America and respond to a broad range of threats and hazards," according to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen.

The specialized forces are drawn from numerous existing deployable law enforcement, tactical, and response units that are placed under a single command. "The new Deployable Operations Group," says Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff, "represents the tip of the spear in responding to natural disasters or terrorist incidents."

While DHS can call in the DOG as reinforcement using procedures documented in the National Response Plan, the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) remains the first and most critical response asset for the nation. The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) notes that the DOG's specialized skills and equipment extend the capabilities of the ESS in situations such as making sure bridges and piers are bomb-free, maintaining secure zones in maritime environments, escorting ferries and commercial ships, performing threat assessments involving nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, and searching for explosives or underwater bombs. Since July, the group has responded to threats and requests for tighter security in cities across the country and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

For additional information about the Deployable Operations Group, contact Lieutenant Commander Gary Jones: gary.w.jones@uscg.mil.