InfoGram 18-10: May 6, 2010

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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2010 Hurricane Season

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) has confirmed that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on 1 June and may peak between late August and mid-October.  According to hurricane specialists at Colorado State University, this year’s hurricane season will be above-average with eight hurricanes of which four will be major storms.

Whereas some degree of incapacitation may be realistic in hurricane-prone states, there must be reasonable expectation that preparedness measures are ongoing to prevent the reduction of essential services caused by any storm occurring throughout the year.  Necessary preparatory activities inevitably present community leaders of and their first responders with major operational, logistical, and personnel challenges.  Therefore, the EMR-ISAC encourages exclusive focus on those matters that will preserve survivability, continuity, and resilience for this year's hurricanes and all other hazards.

Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations nationwide strive for uninterrupted mission-essential task performance before, during, and after catastrophes.  To support this constant struggle by ESS departments and agencies susceptible to hurricanes, the EMR-ISAC offers the following "best practices" gleaned from multiple sources for the consideration of sector leaders:

• Revise emergency plans to include methods to transport stranded ESS personnel to and from their stations when necessary.
• Ensure plans include all roads expected to flood during heavy rains, ways to avoid them, and procedures to access emergencies along these roads.
• Update plans to address "last refuge," and "shutdown," as well as sudden storm change contingencies.
• Know how to access mass communication technologies to push or pull storm information.
• Examine the benefits of participation in the National Weather Service Storm Ready Program.
• Prepare to reset generators that have failed because of low air pressure and high winds commonly associated with hurricanes.
• Make sure electricity for gas pumps that provide fuel for emergency vehicles and LPG for emergency generators.
• Move apparatus, vehicles, and equipment to safe, but accessible locations.
• G each station has sufficient food and supplies for at least 72 hours of non-stop emergency operations.
• Remain alert for gas leaks, electrical system damage, downed or loose power lines, sewage and water line damage, etc.
• Remember terrorists or criminals may attempt to take advantage of the distraction caused by natural disasters.

For more information, see the following hyperlinks:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Planning for the 2010 Hurricane Season.
• Department of Homeland Security: Hurricane Resources.
• Colorado State University: Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability for 2010 (PDF, 1.5 MB).

Fire Service and Fusion Centers

Last month the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Justice approved the “Fire Service Integration for Fusion Centers: An Appendix to the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers.” (PDF, 1.2 MB)  It identifies recommended actions and guidance for state and major urban area fusion centers to effectively integrate the fire service into the fusion process.

In recognition of this development, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Napolitano announced a move to make the fire service an official partner in fusion centers.  The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted the complementary words of DHS officials in a FirehouseNews.com article: “The integration of fire service organizations and personnel into the fusion process enhances the efforts of all homeland security partners across all mission areas.” The Appendix defines fire service to include fire, emergency medical service, rescue, and hazardous material operations, fire prevention and protection, fire investigation, incident management, and responder safety.

The document identifies how fusion centers can effectively integrate the fire service into their existing analysis and information and intelligence sharing processes.  In addition, it provides federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial fire service organizations with an overview of the mutual operational value in working with their local fusion center, as well as different options for establishing relationship with the fusion center. 

DHS authorities further acknowledged the integration of the fire service into state and local fusion centers is a pivotal step in developing meaningful relationships with fusion centers that can strengthen information and intelligence sharing efforts.  When concluding her remarks about the DHS fire service integration initiative, Secretary Napolitano said it only makes sense that the people who are intimately familiar with their communities be included in the intelligence gathering.

TRIPwire Resources

To obtain credible and timely information regarding bombing preventions, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recommends TRIPwire as an excellent resource for Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies.  TRIPwire is a secure, restricted-access online portal sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Bombing Prevention.  It is designed to provide technical and operational information on terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures.  TRIPwire also facilitates information sharing and networking by offering collaboration tools such as community forums and secure email.

TRIPwire combines expert analyses and reports with relevant documents, images, and videos gathered directly from terrorist sources to help first responders anticipate, identify, and prevent improvised explosive device (IED) incidents.   It is available free of charge to ESS personnel who occupy positions having the “need to know.”

The EMR-ISAC identified the following examples of vital new information provided by TRIPwire, both of which can be found in the TRIPwire library under “Training Materials.”  Alternatively, users can access the video and guide by visiting the link in the “What’s New” section of the site.

• Webinar video that provides IED and threat awareness for sporting events and public venues.
• Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) Identification Guide for Parked Vehicles.

ESS leaders, owners, and operators are encouraged acquire a TRIPwire account and access to its wealth of information by clicking on “register for an account” and completing the required application.

H1N1 Current and Future Status

To determine if there is still a risk of H1NI infection and the potential for another wave, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  At their H1N1 web page, the CDC reported ongoing sporadic flu activity caused by either the 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, which may continue throughout the summer in the United States.  This information was corroborated by a 4 May Homeland Security Today article that discussed an “uptick” in cases of the novel pandemic flu virus in the southeast region of the nation.

According to CDC authorities, there has been an unusual level of recent hospitalizations linked to lab-confirmed H1N1 in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.  Because of localized reporting in these and other states, CDC officials maintain that the H1N1 flu is still technically causing a pandemic with a strong potential for third wave.

In an article that appeared on page 8 in the April issue of the Domestic Preparedness Journal, (PDF, 3.4 MB) Ted Tully, the Administrative Director for Emergency Preparedness at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, wrote that the H1N1 virus may return as early as next flu season.  He cautioned that healthcare facilities and personnel must earnestly prepare for the next outbreak of some type of infectious disease.  Therefore, for those emergency responders who have not yet obtained the H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, particularly emergency medical technicians and paramedics, the EMR-ISAC reiterates the CDC recommendation to arrange now for this important protection against the flu.