InfoGram 40-08: October 16, 2008

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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Vehicular Accidents: A Sector Issue

At increasing rates, non-aircraft vehicular accidents when responding to or returning from incidents continue to cause injury or death among personnel, the most precious assets of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). While conducting infrastructure protection research, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that non-aircraft vehicle collisions are a considerable cause of death among police officers and firefighters.

The FBI reported this week that 83 law enforcement officers died in automotive accidents when performing their official duties during 2007. An article at "PoliceOne.com" explained that 32 police officers died in vehicle crashes between 1 January and 29 July 2008. Additionally, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) website contains statistics indicating there were 26 firefighter fatalities in 2007 resulting from traffic accidents. The USFA website also confirms that 26 firefighters died in vehicle collisions between 1 January and 31 July 2008.

Recognizing that emergency responder traffic accident fatalities are a serious issue for ESS departments and agencies, the EMR-ISAC examined the courses and workshops offered by the National Highway Institute of the Federal Highway Administration. The Institute's programs are designed for mid-level management and supervisors from law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, etc. Free traffic incident and highway safety resources are also available at the training tab of Responder Safety.com.

NFPA 1584: for all Emergency Responders

The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reviewed the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard for firefighter rehabilitation. It outlines the responsibilities for responders at fires (and other incidents) by specifying the standards for rehabilitation (also referred to as "rehab") to preserve continuity of operations.

According to the NFPA, rehab should occur whenever on-scene activities pose the risk of emergency personnel exceeding a safe level of physical or mental endurance. The types of incidents will vary from structural and wildland fires, hazmat incidents, multiple casualty incidents, and any prolonged operation during bad weather. The standard specifies that fire and emergency medical services are expected to take the lead in sharing the rehab concept with law enforcement and other emergency departments and agencies that take part at the scene.

The new standard defines eight key objectives for rehab. These include relief from environmental conditions, rest and recovery, and active or passive cooling or warming as needed. They also include rehydration, calorie and electrolyte replacement, medical monitoring, member accountability, and release for return to duty. Hot conditions will require shelter from the sun, sunscreen, hydration, and prevention of burns from contacting hot asphalt. Cold weather priorities may include shelter from wind and snow, frostbite prevention, increased caloric intake, and methods for thawing gear.

The area devoted to rehab may be as simple as a single rescue or ambulance unit. It also may be as complex as a tent equipped with generators and communications equipment. Access to fresh water is essential, although many Emergency Services Sector agencies prefer sports drinks that provide electrolyte replacement. Basic needs such as portable toilets should be considered early.

Thermal Imaging Technology Research

The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) publicizes various grant programs at the local, state, and federal levels that give the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) increasing access to technology such as thermal imaging cameras. A project partnership between the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides science-based information to standards-developing organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in support of NFPA 1801, "Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service."

"Each year fires in structures trap firefighters, resulting in their injury and sometimes, death," according to U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "This research partnership has developed critical information to support the development of a national standard on Thermal Imaging Technology that previously did not exist which will enhance the safety of our nation's firefighters." Thermal imaging technology is another tool to protect personnel, foremost among the critical infrastructures of the ESS.

The USFA and NIST conducted research on the performance of thermal imaging systems to enhance responder survivability in operational situations, assessed current thermal imaging technology, and explored new technology that might enhance the performance of future devices. Differential resolution, thermal exposure, performance during suppression, and ease of use also were examined for the report, "Technical Note 1499, Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras � Small- and Full-Scale Experiments," (PDF, 2.52 MB, 88 pp., Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help).

See also: Thermal Imaging Research Needs for First Responders: Workshop Proceedings (PDF, 8.0 Mb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help)

GSA Purchasing Schedule Opens

In July, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that President Bush had signed the Local Preparedness Acquisitions Act. The document authorized the General Services Administration (GSA) to extend to Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations, as well as their state and local governments, the opportunity to fully participate in the agency's Cooperative Purchasing Program to buy homeland security equipment at discounted rates.

As of this month, GSA's Schedule 84 is now open for responder organizations to procure discounted law enforcement and firefighting equipment, in addition to homeland security equipment such as alarm systems and facility management systems, previously available only to federal agencies. Taking advantage of reduced prices, especially in the current economic climate, helps emergency departments and agencies conserve their resources for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) and response acquisitions.

For additional information about the purchasing program, visit www.gsa.gov/cooperativepurchasing.

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the cooperative purchasing program. Question #24 has a link to the Center for Acquisition Excellence, which offers self-paced online courses that explain how to access GSA vendors and make purchases.