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 early August warehouse shooting in Connecticut, as well as others in the past few years, suggest that such shooting events are becoming more common in the United States. These incidents are usually dynamic situations that evolve rapidly and demand immediate action by emergency responders to terminate the threat and render medical attention to wounded persons.
Considering the frequency of these crimes, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) researched available resources having preparedness benefit for Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies. For example, according to their web site, the Firefighters Support Foundation provides a program (“Preparation and Response for Mass Shooting Events”) detailing the measures that fire and EMS agencies can take to prepare themselves for this all-too-likely event, and the actions they can initiate when the incident occurs.
With the assistance of August Vernon, Forsyth County (NC) Office of Emergency Management, the EMR-ISAC identified four additional sources that may have some application to the plans and operations of ESS organizations: Risk Management and Police Training, EMS Response to Mass Violence,
Active Shooter—How to Respond (PDF, 527 KB), Shooting Incident Threat Aid (PDF, 590 KB), and the Mass Shooting/Active Shooter First Responder Awareness Card found in the listing of awareness cards.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was recently contacted by the Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER), which is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities to prepare for and respond to possible hazardous material (HazMat) transportation incidents. TRANSCAER members consist of representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation, distributor, and emergency response industries, as well as the government.
A TRANSCAER executive informed the EMR-ISAC that “the newly designed and highly informative TRANSCAER Today (PDF, 6.7 MB) newsletter is now available.” Within this free circular, Emergency Services Sector personnel can learn how TRANSCAER team members from across the nation are working to help municipalities with preparedness plans and actions for potential HazMat transportation events.
TRANSCAER’s mission is to promote safe transportation and handling of HazMat, educate and assist communities near major transportation routes about HazMat, and aid community emergency response planning for HazMat transportation incidents. Any questions about their services can be directed to Donna Lepik at dlepik@transcaer.com or 703-741-5503.
The EMR-ISAC received and reviewed the first edition of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Private Sector Resources Guide (PDF, 852 KB). The document was prepared to facilitate private sector access to the many resources needed to help with infrastructure protection, resilience, and national security. Its contents are intended to assist the development and maintenance of critical homeland security capabilities at all layers of American society.
According to the DHS Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector, this 52-page catalog “collects the training, publications, guidance, alerts, newsletters, programs, and services available to the private sector across the department. It is organized by component and resource type and a comprehensive index is available to facilitate locating resources. Additionally, contact information across the department is available in Appendix A.”
“Recognizing the diversity of the available resources as well as the continually evolving work of DHS, this catalog will be updated regularly to publicize new resources and to increase private sector awareness.”
Regardless of the size, status, or location of Emergency Service Sector (ESS) departments and agencies, the EMR-ISAC understands that many of the resources contained in this document may have value to ESS organizations.
The National Domestic Preparedness Coalition (NDPC) “provides solutions that help protect our nation’s communities from all hazards including terrorism and natural disasters by delivering the highest quality training and programs,” which were developed through partnerships with Emergency Services Sector personnel who know best how to address their homeland security needs. “The NDPC was created by emergency responders for emergency responders and strives to enhance communication and teamwork among all first responder disciplines.” The Coalition further endeavors to provide a collective voice for members to articulate their vital perspectives regarding infrastructure protection and resilience at all levels.
The EMR-ISAC learned that the NDPC has recently modified its membership structure. Emergency responders from both the public and private sector can now join at no cost (i.e., no membership fee). Interested ESS personnel can complete an application at the NDPC registration web site.
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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August 12, 2010 InfoGram