InfoGram 26-10: July 1, 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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Independence Day Preparatory Measures

Independence Day celebrations attract hundreds of citizens at countless locations throughout the United States. Although there are no substantiated threats against this year's holiday observances, Fourth of July activities present attractive opportunities for domestic and transnational terrorists to cause mass casualties as well as the degradation of critical infrastructures.

The Emergency Management and Response – nformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) understands that community leaders, particularly those of Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies, must consider the possibility of terrorism, criminal behavior, vandalism, confrontational tactics, demonstrations, service disruptions, etc. Local government officials and their ESS organizations can capitalize on the few remaining days to ensure all critical infrastructures (i.e., personnel, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems) are sufficiently protected and prepared for any civil unrest, criminal violence, or terrorism that might occur during Independence Day events.

To protect citizens, civil liberties, local critical infrastructures, community morale, as well as Fourth of July festivities, the EMR-ISAC provides the following basic preparatory measuresobtained from various sourcesfor the consideration of ESS leaders, owners, and operators:

• Encourage personnel to be alert and immediately report any situation that appears to constitute a threat or suspicious activity.
• Develop provisions to validate the identity of official personnel, guests, and vehicles that may be seen at or near planned gatherings.
• Familiarize with local first responder uniforms and vehicles, including those from mutual aid partners and other adjacent municipalities.
• Establish strict internal accountability for uniforms, accouterments, vehicles, operating devices, codes, and anything else that can be used by adversaries to "legitimize" their presence or to facilitate illicit acts.
• Ascertain if there is any group (violent or non-violent) that plans to appear at local celebrations with or without a formally approved permit.
• Rehearse plans to professionally intercept and remove individuals or groups that unlawfully disrupt proceedings.
• Confirm the readiness of local stakeholders and mutual aid partners to execute emergency response plans if an attack or violence occurs.
• Reinforce the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System.

Fireworks: Safety Issue for Citizens and Responders

It would be hard to imagine the Fourth of July without fireworks. However, according to the June 2010 Report (PDF, 1 Mb) of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more fires are reported on that day than any other day of the year in the United States, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires. The risk of fire death relative to exposure shows fireworks to be the riskiest consumer product for death due to fire.

When reviewing the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Press Release (PDF, 117 Kb), the Emergency Management and Response – nformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that consumers are currently visiting thousands of fireworks retail establishments across the nation despite the ongoing economic woes American families are experiencing. The APA Executive Director explained: The fireworks industry has historically proven to be recession resistant. He also stated the use of fireworks has skyrocketed since 2000 because of their rise in both power and popularity.

The EMR-ISAC considers the use and abuse of fireworks a matter of concern for Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies. The dangerous mix of increased explosive energy, possible alcohol consumption, and a bunch of people using fireworks in the dark has the potential to make the Fourth of July an incredibly difficult and perilous day to work as first responders. Therefore, it would be prudent for ESS organizations to review safety procedures when responding to an emergency involving the presence and use of fireworks during the days surrounding our nation's birthday.

"Fireworks not only create significant dangers to citizens when used improperly or illegally but also increase the demands on fire departments and firefighters," said Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. "This nation has lost four firefighters as a result of the use of illegal fireworks. Calls to EMS and fire departments increased as individuals continue to be injured and burned. Almost 9,000 people were injured last year as a result of civilian use of fireworks. With these increased demands the risks to firefighters and EMS personnel needlessly increase when fireworks play gets out of control."

Additional information regarding safety issues and the dangers of fireworks can be found at the following hyperlinks:

• NFPA Fact Sheet (PDF, 140 Kb)
• APA Emergency Response Information and Material Safety Data Sheets
• U.S. Fire Administration Focus on Fire Safety: Fireworks
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Official Statement

Interim Guidance for Protecting Deepwater Horizon Responders

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Affairs provided the 25 June release of Interim Guidance for Protecting Deepwater Horizon Response Workers and Volunteers to the Emergency Management and Response – nformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), recommendations contained in this document will be updated as more information about exposures is collected and assessed in relationship to the incidence and prevalence of symptoms, illnesses, and injuries.

CDC and its NIOSH recognize that many important and well-intended efforts to protect the health and safety of Deepwater Horizon Response workers and volunteers are currently being implemented. To ensure a comprehensive approach to health and safety, the EMR-ISAC summarized their following suggestions for the consideration of responder departments and agencies involved with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill:

• Reduce exposure to toxic chemical and physical agents by using personal protective equipment (PPE), work-rest cycles, distance, location, and barrier protection.
• Routinely assess exposures to toxic chemical and physical agents during work activities with validated methods for area and personal breathing zone sampling.
• Minimize skin exposure to crude oil and toxic chemical agents by wearing appropriate PPE.
• Consider and address the potential for heat stress problems when selecting and using PPE.
• Educate all workers and volunteers about the hazards associated with response activities, and implement pre-placement medical evaluations.
• Report all health symptoms, illnesses, injuries or near-misses related to work activities to licensed health care professionals.
• Conduct periodic, systemic reviews and evaluations of health symptoms, illnesses, injuries or near-misses followed by preventive action.
• Train workers and volunteers to support individual personal resiliency and prevent psychological stress associated with response activities.

Additional helpful information about this subject can be seen at the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and at CIP Bulletin 3-10 (PDF, 46 Kb).

Gang Awareness for First Responders

According to the National Gang Threat Assessment (PDF, 9.2 Mb) released last year, gangs pose a serious threat to public safety in many communities throughout the United States. Prepared by the Department of Justice, this assessment states that gang members are progressively moving from urban to suburban areas and are responsible for a growing percentage of crime and violence in countless municipalities. (Note: The 2010 National Gang Threat Assessment is not yet available.)

When researching the current status of gang violence, particularly how it affects Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel, the Emergency Management and Response – nformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined gang awareness tips for responders found in an article at EMS1.com. The EMR-ISAC abbreviated and summarized some of the key tips as follows for the consideration of ESS departments and agencies:

• Become knowledgeable about gang culture, mindsets, appearance, operations, and the dangerous settings within respective jurisdictions.
• Observe condition indicators and conduct a ’scene size up when arriving at incidents in known or suspected gang areas.
• Make note of the following examples of condition indicators upon arrival at the incident: graffiti (color, symbols, letters); clothing (styles, colors, display manner, jersey numbers); jewelry (signs, symbols); and tattoos (placement, symbols, color, style, words, letters).
• Never rely on just one indicator when developing a plan of action in a setting where gangs are known or suspected to exist.
• Remain aware that first responders may be targeted because gang members may take exception to lifesaving measures.
• Designate a response team member to perform an active watch to ensure the safety of team personnel executing mission-essential tasks.

More information about the gang threat to emergency responders can be seen at the second article in EMR-ISAC InfoGram 16-10 (April 22, 2010).