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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The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that as many as 61 tornadoes moved across Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina between 23 and 25 April, causing 12 confirmed fatalities, approximately 100 injuries, extensive damage to hundreds of homes and businesses, and destruction of local critical infrastructure (e.g., Complex Chemical Company plant in Tellulah, LA).
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) verified at the NWS Tornado Website that tornadoes occur frequently in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months. “In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries.”
In an article at USA Today, the Weather Channel meteorologist, Mark Ressler, stated: “The weekend outbreak could be a precursor to an ugly May.” Furthermore, Greg Carbin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center forecasted an increase in tornadoes “as we move toward May.”
As nature’s most violent storms, within seconds tornadoes can cause the degradation or devastation of local and regional critical infrastructure, including those of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). Since no technology exists to stop or turn away these inevitable events, indispensable facilities and services (e.g., ESS critical infrastructures) will continue to be damaged by tornadoes. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC considered the findings of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) noteworthy for ESS organizations in tornado-prone areas.
In its Final Report (PDF, 288 Kb) to the Department of Homeland Security, the NIAC encouraged emergency preparedness that complements protection efforts with resilience measures, where time is the risk-based, proactive, and objectively measurable metric. Resiliency activities such as redundant systems, back-up power, and alternative fuel sources can facilitate a quicker recovery and reconstitution from all hazards and an earlier return to performing mission-essential tasks.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) announced the release of the Interim NWCG Minimum Standards for Medical Units (PDF, 531 Kb). This document reflects a national approach focused on providing a coordinated, uniformed, and comprehensive delivery of emergency medical services (EMS) and occupational health at Federal wildland fires in the United States. It is designed as a baseline or minimum expectations for EMS personnel and services associated with Federal wildland fire incidents.
The EMR-ISAC observed in the Executive Summary of this document that stakeholders are introduced to the minimum standards developed by the Incident Emergency Medical Task Group for when a medical unit has been established by a NWCG member agency. It is intended to provide direction regarding medical personnel and equipment assigned to the medical unit. Overall, the minimum standards seek to ensure that incident personnel receive quality, timely medical care at wildland fire incidents, which often occur in remote areas.
This product is the result of significant coordination by representatives from NWCG member agencies, the National Association of EMS Officials, the National Association of EMS Physicians, and numerous outside organizations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a News Release this week announcing the opening of the application period for the 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). This program will ultimately provide approximately $390 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations to reduce losses from fire-related and other emergency responses by enhancing capabilities to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their first responders.
The EMR-ISAC confirmed that the application period for the AFG Program began on 26 April and closes on 28 May 2010. Program guidance, application kit, and an applicant tutorial are available at the AFG support Website to assist interested and eligible departments and agencies. Applicants who have questions regarding this opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.
AFG Program grants enable local fire departments and EMS organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.
This year’s Arson Awareness Week will occur 2 through 8 May 2010, with the theme of “Community Arson Prevention.” According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), activities will focus attention on the horrific crime of arson and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship.
The EMR-ISAC learned from USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data that an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the United States each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians. “Arson robs communities of its valuable assets — lives and property.” It destroys more than buildings. “Arson can devastate a community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values.”
Communities and their neighborhoods can reduce the likelihood of arson by promoting neighborhood watches and educate citizens about recognizing and reporting unusual activities. See the 2010 Arson Awareness Week Media Kit (PDF, 2.2 Mb) for assistance with these efforts.
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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April 29, 2010 InfoGram