InfoGram 6-09: February 12, 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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Arson: A Terrorist Tool?

Many American emergency responders are aware of the massive, disastrous, and deadly wildfires in the southern part of the Australian continent. Although an extremist website recently called on followers to launch a "forest jihad" in Australia, Europe, Russia, and the United States, Fox News reported that Australian authorities have found no evidence linking the wildfires to terrorism. However, al Qaeda expert Jarret Brachman, author of "Global Jihadism: Theory and Practice," said forest fires track well with the latest discussion trends seen in the al Qaeda forums�easy to do, big impact, low security risk, and high media coverage.

According to Fox News, at least one of the Australian wildfires has been labeled as arson. Consequently, Australia's prime minister has launched the nation's most extensive arson investigation with all leads being thoroughly explored, including the comments made on a radical jihadist website in November 2008. Australian arson investigators leading the effort confirm that many arsonists are elusive criminals who usually ensure the destruction or alteration of any evidence.

Despite growing interests in "forest jihad" among terrorists, U.S. analysts have not found credible verification that it is a threat to American forests. Nevertheless, the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recognizes that arson is a continuing problem in urban and rural America that may or may not become a terrorist tool. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines arson as any willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

Considering the appeals posted in al Qaeda forums, the possibility exists for arson to be used as a terrorist tool; therefore, the EMR-ISAC offers the following U.S. Fire Administration and interFIRE Online websites for information or resources regarding arson preparedness: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/publications/display.cfm?sc=11&mc=&ol=1, and http://www.interfire.org/res_file/menu_ab.asp.

Focus on Rural Volunteers

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) created the "Rural and Volunteer Fire Department Resources" web page in December 2008 to address the unique realities that face Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies in rural America. Some of the realities covered include large, minimally populated areas to protect, changing staff levels, water supply challenges, and a lack of population to provide a revenue or tax base to support emergency services. The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges these circumstances can affect operational effectiveness and continuity.

To support rural responders and volunteer departments, USFA amassed numerous target-audience-specific resources such as statistics, reports, programs, publications, and training opportunities, on topics regarding hazardous materials, prevention and safety, recruitment and retention, and health and safety. The resources and links for rural and volunteer organizations can be accessed at www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/subjects/rural/index.shtm.

Also targeted to volunteer and rural responders is the February 2009 "Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services," prepared by the USFA in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Originally released in 1992, USFA periodically revises the guide. In the 2003 update, volunteer departments identified insufficient funding, lack of well-defined requirements, and the inability to keep members motivated as barriers to implementing comprehensive programs. The 2009 guide demonstrates ways to overcome these obstacles, and provides direction for developing and implementing a department program. The EMR-ISAC notes that it particularly highlights examples of existing health and wellness programs, and how they have maintained their success over time.

In addition to new information on health and wellness issues, trends, and programs, the guide offers the most current information on how volunteer fire departments can enhance compliance with appropriate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) firefighter health and safety standards such as NFPA 1583, "Health Related Fitness Programs for Fire Fighters." "This partnership to improve the health and wellness of the volunteer fire service will support reducing the primary cause of on-duty deaths in the volunteer fire service�heart attack and stress," said Acting Assistant Administrator Dr. Denis Onieal. "Effective health and wellness programs will also be expected to contribute to operational effectiveness of volunteer fire departments as well as serve as a valuable retention and recruitment instrument." To view and download the guide, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_321.pdf. (2.4MB, 67 pages)

Lessons Learned: Generators

The aftermath of natural disasters and significant weather events confirm that generators are indispensable for emergency operations. Natural disasters followed by extended periods without power potentially degrade continuity of operations for the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) and its interdependent partners such as public works, transportation, communication, and public health.

Water and wastewater utilities are prominent among critical infrastructures most affected by power outages. Communities typically have resources to acquire bottled water for citizens. However, it is the loss of water for fire suppression, sanitation, and decontamination caused by disruptions to wells and sewer lift stations in smaller jurisdictions and less urbanized areas that has increased probability of diminishing emergency operations.

The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined emergency management experiences with generators that occurred during the recent severe ice storms in Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas. The following suggestions were extrapolated from a BigMedicine.ca article by Greg Carttar for consideration by ESS departments and agencies:

• Include personnel who have practical experience in infrastructure operations, and "hands-on" experience in generator hook-ups and mechanics in the pre-planning process.
• Develop a master list of power requirements (i.e., voltage, phase configuration, and horsepower/amperage) for all infrastructure for which there is no backup power.
• Assess the fuel requirements (propane, natural gas, and diesel) of generators prior to borrowing, renting, or purchasing.
• Pre-wire utility stations so generators can be hooked up immediately.
• Install transfer switches or a means to rapidly connect emergency power to infrastructure with approved connectors. (Note the types of connectors available on rental generators.)
• Use a formula (e.g., 2.5 gallons/hour per 10 KW of power) to create projections about likely fuel consumption.
• Confirm fuel supply contracts or arrangements in advance and understand that supply arrangements might require providing power to local fuel plants.
• Plan for a distribution capability to accompany fuel supply arrangements.
• Take steps to protect existing or new generators, such as ensuring they are factory enclosed and weatherproofed, elevated on support structures, where necessary, and surrounded by protective fencing.
• Establish a routine maintenance and service schedule for all generators.
• Learn what and how to document before, during, and after weather-related events, such as operating costs of the municipality during "normal" times, and manpower and expenditures beginning with the first warning of a weather event.

In an article last winter, the EMR-ISAC provided a link to a 40-page white paper, Utilities Helping Utilities: An Action Plan for Mutual Aid and Assistance Networks for Water and Wastewater Utilities. ESS departments and agencies interested in participating to enhance water and wastewater utility resiliency can download the paper at the American Water Works Association website: (http://www.awwa.org/files/Advocacy/Govtaff/Documents/utilities_helping_utilities.pdf). (1.3MB, 40 pages)

APCO Offers PSAP Assistance

The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) is offering two forms of assistance to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that have not yet deployed Wireless Phase II: the Member Assistance Advisory Program (MAAP) Wireless Facilitator Program, and Direct Assistance MAAP Funding Grants. PSAPs/911 call centers are a critical component of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS).

The MAAP Wireless Facilitator program builds on the existing MAAP program by providing Project LOCATE (Locate Our Citizens At Times of Emergencies) trained Wireless Deployment Facilitators to aid requesting PSAPs. The facilitators will assist with the development of PSAP-specific readiness assessment and deployment planning, and clarification of PSAP needs, challenges, costs, and political realities when requesting and implementing Wireless Phase II. During two days on site at the PSAPs, two MAAP Wireless Facilitators will help identify peer resources for mapping, readiness assessment, customer premises-equipment (CPE) evaluation, service negotiations and public education initiatives, as well as methods to accomplish local goals.

The facilitator service is free to PSAPs that apply for, and are approved by a peer application review committee. To complete the online application, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=BrHbCyHqUwmKgORJRekzHA_3d_3d.

In addition, Project LOCATE and the Public Safety Foundation of America (PSFA) jointly offer a limited number of Direct Assistance MAAP Funding Grants to PSAPs trying to complete wireless 911 readiness and deployment. The amounts available to qualifying PSAPs range from $20,000 to $25,000. Grant money will be awarded to PSAPs that have successfully completed a MAAP Facilitator review, and demonstrate through an application process the need for an outside funding source to progress to receiving and processing Wireless Phase II 9�1�1 calls. Additional information is available by writing to MAAPWireless@apcointl.org, or calling (888) 272-6911.