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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In its 3 December report to Congress, the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism concluded that "There is a high probability the U.S. can expect a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction sometime before 2013." The report, which was shared with Congress and the White House, said the risk is real and growing.
Considering this threat, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the capabilities of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST), which is the National Nuclear Security Administration's program for preparing and equipping specialized response teams to deal with the technical aspects of nuclear or radiological terrorism. NEST capabilities include search and identification of nuclear materials, diagnostics and assessment of suspected nuclear devices, technical operations in support of render safe procedures, and packaging for transport to final disposition.
The mission of the NEST is to provide specialized technical expertise to the federal response in mitigating nuclear or radiological terrorist incidents. This expertise is provided by trained personnel who form dedicated response teams to work in coordination with teams from other federal agencies to resolve a nuclear terrorist crisis. NEST experts include engineers, scientists, and other technical specialists.
More information about these focused response teams can be seen at the NEST fact sheet (PDF, 268 Kb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help).
Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies can apply through their State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program until 27 February 2009. DHS will award $34 million for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 EOC Grant Program. The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges that fully capable emergency operations facilities at the state and local levels are an essential element of a comprehensive national emergency management system and are necessary to ensure continuity of operations for the ESS.
The FY 2009 funding is intended to improve state, local, and tribal emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, and interoperable EOCs. State and territory SAAs, designated by their governors, are the only entities eligible to apply on behalf of state, local, and tribal EOCs for up to $1 million for construction projects or up to $250,000 for renovation projects with a focus on addressing identified deficiencies and needs.. The program requires a federal match of 75 percent and a 25 percent grantee cost-share cash or in-kind match for FY 2009.
The SAA, in coordination with the state emergency management agency, will review all EOC project applications and prioritize projects based on state, local, and tribal priorities and needs to ensure applications are consistent with statewide efforts and priorities. A national review panel, including national and regional DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency staff and peer subject matter experts, will determine the competitive allocations.
Of the approximately $34 million allocated for the FY 2009 EOC Grant Program, $21.6 million was appropriated for designated state and local EOC projects according to the funding table on page 5 of the EOC Grant Program overview (PDF, 81 Kb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help). The remaining $12.4 million will be allocated competitively to eligible state, local, or tribal governments' principal EOCs based on a state and national review.
Applications must be submitted via www.grants.gov no later than Feb. 27, 2009. For more information on the EOC Grant Program and other DHS grant programs, visit www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/grants.
A November 2008 Center for Problem-Oriented Policing publication, "Policing Terrorism: An Executive's Guide" (PDF, 5.4 Mb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help), presents 50 briefs intended to help law enforcement executives in metropolitan, suburban, and rural Emergency Services Sector (ESS) agencies develop essential components of a counterterrorism plan. The guide, prepared with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, is described as particularly relevant for small and midsize departments that typically have more limited resources.
According to the guide's authors, "Chiefs require more general information about a broad range of issues that can help them develop plans and policies to counter the terrorist threat." To meet the needs of police executives and sheriffs, the authors summarized information about 50 key topics "in the form of advice to the chief," and organize them into six parts. The first three are considered preparatory steps: prepare yourself and your agency, understand the threat, and develop a plan and a support network. Parts four through six cover more in depth the three essential components of a counterterrorism plan: developing intelligence on possible terrorists, identifying and protecting major targets, and expanding disaster-response capabilities to encompass the response to a terrorist attack.
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) understands the authors' recognition that, "These are heavy new responsibilities that significantly expand the workload of already busy departments," and that they seek to meet the needs of senior personnel by presenting a broad range of issues, many of which complement critical infrastructure protection.
Many of the 50 briefs include references to key reports and other resources, most of which can be found on the Internet.
As we gather with family and friends between 20 December and 4 January, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) staff wish all members of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) a very happy, safe, and peaceful holiday season. It was an honor and pleasure to serve your CIP information needs during this past year.
At this festive time of the year, ESS leaders, owners, and operators comprehend that the critical infrastructures (i.e., personnel, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems) upon which our loved ones and citizens depend must remain intact and operational without incapacitation or destruction by deliberate, natural, or accidental causes. Therefore, while our thoughts and attention turn to possible travel and celebrations, the EMR-ISAC acknowledges that continued vigilance is necessary to ensure the survivability, continuity, and "response-ability" of emergency departments and agencies.
Between 26 and 28 November, we watched in horror as terrorists assaulted the Indian city of Mumbai.
It was a chilling reminder that our adversaries (and frequently weather) do not rest, but persist to exploit vulnerabilities, test protective measures, and plan attacks. Hence, persistent and effective vigilance is a harsh reality to deter or prevent similar events from occurring in the United States.
NOTE: There will be no InfoGram published on 25 December and 1 January. The next InfoGram will be dated 8 January 2009.
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
U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 | USNG: 18SUJ00529652
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December 18, 2008 InfoGram