InfoGram 37-10: September 16, 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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Emergency Planning Exercises

(Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a series of Tabletop Exercise presentations as a tool to advance organizational continuity, preparedness, and resiliency. According to the FEMA announcement, the exercises are designed so exercise administrators can gather a group of individuals for a few hours and review an emergency plan using PowerPoint presentations and exercise "news" videos to add realism and spur discussion.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that each exercise takes the group through a realistic disaster scenario and facilitates a discussion of how the organization would plan, protect, respond, and recover. Each exercise also includes full instructor notes so the administrator can designate a facilitator and team of participants to conduct the event internally. The EMR-ISAC confirmed that the exercises are free for download and use, and typically take 2 to 4 hours from start to finish.

Instructions for downloading the exercises can be found at the FEMA announcement. These exercises are structured on the Tabletop Exercises Design curriculum developed by the Emergency Management Institute, as well as other FEMA/DHS training reference materials.

Hazards Assessment Tool

(Source: National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service (NWS) developed a Hazards Assessment Tool to provide primarily emergency managers and planners advance notice of potential hazards related to climate, weather, and hydrological events.

Upon examination, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledged that the tool integrates existing NWS official medium (3-5 day), extended (6-10 day), and long-range (monthly and seasonal) forecasts and outlooks, as well as hydrological analyses and forecasts, which use state-of-the-art science and technology in their formulation.

The NWS website states: "The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure, which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community."

Public-Private Partnerships

(Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency)

According to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News Release, FEMA launched a new webpage for state and local officials and their private sector partners to provide resources and opportunities to share best practices and ideas. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted the goal of the new page is to build a national resource that will benefit emergency management professionals and their constituents in communities nationwide.

The new Public-Private Partnerships page is another FEMA initiative to engage the private sector in the nation's preparedness, response, and recovery. The EMR-ISAC verified that the page provides templates and models of successful programs around the country. These partnerships include regional, state, and city examples.

FEMA created the webpage to recognize partnerships and provide tools to establish and strengthen partnerships in communities throughout the nation. Additional tools include a list of benefits of starting a program, online resources, and information on grants and funding options.

Visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Private Sector Resources Catalog for more information on the full range of tools, training, and resources available across DHS.

Emergency Responder Respiratory Diseases

(Source: U.S. Fire Administration)

The Introduction to "Respiratory Diseases and the Fire Service" (PDF, 6 Mb) indicates that respiratory diseases remain a significant health issue for emergency responders, as well as civilians. "Respiratory disease is the number three killer in North America, exceeded only by heart disease and cancer, and is responsible for one in six deaths," according to the study that focused on the fire service and other emergency responders.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed that the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), released this report discussing the findings of a long-term study intended to examine and improve the occupational health of first responders, particularly firefighters. As seen in the USFA Media Release, Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines said: "The purpose of this initiative is to provide information to the fire service on the mitigation of the long-term effects of occupational respiratory exposure."

The EMR-ISAC additionally understands that this effort involved renowned experts in the field of pulmonary medicine. Therefore, the study should assist in recognizing and quantifying the impact of respiratory exposure, and the development of mitigation strategies and programs for firefighters, their families, and fire departments.