InfoGram 42-09: October 22, 2009

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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Radiological Dispersal Device Update

In its Fact Sheet (PDF, 63 Kb) of August 2009, the Nuclear Energy Institute (ENI) discussed that a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) is an area-denial weapon designed to spread radioactive material. “Its principal effect is to render land and buildings unusable through the spread of radioactive contamination.” The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that RDDs are also weapons of mass terror and disruption, as reports of radioactive contamination can incite fear and result in significant economic, social, and psychological harm that could have greater consequences than the physical damage from the weapon.

The ENI paper additionally conveyed that the use of RDDs, sometimes called “dirty bombs,” is one scenario that public and private sector organizations must consider in protecting the nation. A dirty bomb is not a nuclear weapon that creates a large blast. Rather, “it is a combination of an explosive and radioactive material designed to spread radioactive contamination throughout a small area.”

When reviewing Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) information on this matter, the EMR-ISAC observed that NRC emergency preparedness programs enable emergency personnel to rapidly identify, evaluate, and react to a wide spectrum of emergencies, including those arising from RDDs. The NRC incident response program integrates the overall NRC capabilities for the response and recovery of radiological incidents and emergencies involving facilities and materials regulated by the NRC. “Under the National Response Framework, the NRC will coordinate with other federal, state, and local emergency organizations in response to various types of domestic events,” such as RDDs.

To learn more about NRC preparedness programs and services, call 301-415-8200, or send a facsimile to 301-415-3716.

Public/Private Partnerships for Crisis Management

The National Research Council (NRC) is an arm of the National Academies of Sciences that provides non-partisan research reports to the U.S. Congress, government leadership, and other national key stakeholders on a multitude of diverse, critical subjects relevant to the nation. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that the NRC recently held a workshop to discuss and, subsequently, share issues and recommendations pertaining to “public-private sector collaboration to enhance community disaster resilience.”

Many presenters and discussions at this workshop focused on the sustainability of partnerships, and how partnerships can improve disaster resiliency. For example, Ron Carlee, County Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, shared his brief views on this subject, which are quoted as follows:

• If you have built a strong foundation, you can handle most things.
• Resiliency is not just for disasters, as it also promotes a high quality of life everyday.
• The answer to every social question is leadership.
• The primary responsibility for building community resiliency is local government.
• Community planning is critical and must be integrated with community preparedness planning.

The EMR-ISAC ascertained that these views led to further questions and answers by workshop attendees. The following are their consolidated answers to the question, “What makes public/private partnerships sustainable?”

• Establish clear, definable goals.
• Execute a needs assessment of the community and participating organizations.
• Invoke leadership that incorporates a broad view and organizational view to facilitate collaboration.
• Utilize diverse partners.
• Spread the work throughout the partnership, through projects, committees, and performance tasks.
• Continually build the foundation for promoting and strengthening relationships.
• Always remember: “communication, communication, communication.”
• Embrace a culture of partnership sustainability.
• Look to local solutions, as they are the first line of defense that provides the building blocks for sustainability and resiliency.

Additional information can be seen at “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Sustainability Partnerships: Summary of a Workshop (2009),” which is a free PDF download by the National Academy Press.

“A Quick Guide to Building a GIS for Your Department”

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) released, “A Quick Guide to Building a GIS for Your Department” (PDF, 2.0 Mb). According to the document, it provides practical advice on how to partner with the right people in your community to build a Geographic Information System (GIS) that serves the needs of public safety.

GIS is a database system with software that can analyze and display data using digitized maps and tables for planning and decision-making. GIS can assemble, store, evaluate, and display geographically referenced data, tying this data to points, lines, and areas on a map and table. Data can include anything with geographic reference points. The NAPSG website also states that GIS is a valuable tool for many aspects of emergency management, including: emergency response, planning, exercises, mitigation, homeland security, and national preparedness. In addition to its ability to manage and display data, GIS has robust modeling capabilities, allowing its users to adjust data and scenarios for prediction, planning, and estimation.

The booklet is divided into the following sections, each representing a phase in building your GIS:

• Assessing needs
• Planning the system
• Using the system
• Managing the system

The EMR-ISAC confirmed that the NAPSG Website states it is a consortium of national organizations representing local government, public safety, and health professionals who share a vision of advancing the effective use of GIS for public safety. Public safety agencies increasingly recognize the need for greater coordination among U.S. emergency response agencies at all levels of government in the United States. Through NAPSG, national public safety organizations representing local first responders in the health, public safety, and emergency management disciplines are collaborating to enhance national GIS preparedness capacity. “Successful Response Starts with a Map” (PDF, 279.5 Kb) explains in more detail how GIS can improve disaster response.

Chlorine Hazards

The Chlorine Institute states that chlorine is used in a variety of materials that make the products we enjoy every day for public health, safety, nutrition, security, transportation, lifestyle, and high-tech innovation. Drinking water, agricultural goods, disinfected wastewater, essential industrial chemicals, bleaches and fuels, all depend on chlorine. Pharmaceuticals, plastics, dyes, cosmetics, coatings, electronics, adhesives, clothing, and automobile parts are more examples of products that rely on chlorine chemistry. Considering the wide use of chlorine, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) researched the current risks associated with chlorine gas.

The Website describes the multiple hazards of chlorine. The gas is primarily a respiratory irritant. At low concentrations, chlorine gas has an odor similar to household bleach. Depending on the level of exposure to chlorine, the effects may become more severe for several days after the incident. Chlorine mixed with water can be very corrosive. Corrosion of metal containers can worsen any leaks. Although chlorine is non-flammable, it is a strong oxidizer and will support the burning of most combustible materials. Flammable gases and vapors can form explosive mixtures with chlorine.

The EMR-ISAC acknowledged that the Chlorine Institute is offering a free DVD, “Chlorine Emergencies an Overview for First Responders,” which can be an additional resource for training. The DVD discusses the response needed for the first 15 minutes. For general operating procedures, first responders can also refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide #124.

Security Seminar and Shooter/Hostage Exercise

The next Security Seminar and Shooter/Hostage Exercise in a nation-wide series has been scheduled for 4 November in Sacramento, California. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was informed by the Infrastructure Protection Office of the Department of Homeland Security that the purposes of the seminar and exercise are to provide an educational opportunity for the participants and an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans, and capabilities for response to an active shooter scenario.

This event will focus on key emergency responder and chemical facility coordination, critical decisions, interoperability, and the integration of local assets necessary to bring an incident to a safe conclusion.
The following are the seminar and exercise objectives for the responder community:

• Identify the interoperability capabilities between responders and chemical facility owners and operators.
• Identify key expectations that deal with the Incident Command System between first responders and chemical facilities.
• Identify key communication protocols, requirements, and challenges during this type of event.
• Identify key information sharing capabilities and requirements.

This seminar is U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) approved. A pamphlet and registration form (PDF, 246 Kb) is now available. To obtain more information, contact Ronald Kilburg at 530-642-4167 or at rkilburg@eid.org.