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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(Source: FireRescue1)
The wildland-urban interface (WUI) firestorms in several states this year demonstrate that they are among the most dynamic, dangerous, destructive, and costly fires in the world, according to an article in FireRescue1.com. For deployed firefighters, “the wildfires have a minefield of risk with extreme fire behavior, eclectic fuel loading, unrealistic public expectation, high media interest, and a fluid mix of multi-agency responders of varying abilities.”
It is widely recognized that the high resource impact, diverse challenges, and imposing risks of WUI events require disciplined management and a meticulously planned and executed response. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed in the cited article that the author offers the following six factors for deliberate consideration when formulating the “strategies and tactics” to manage WUI conflagrations:
The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (PDF, 1.7 Mb) indicates that addressing wildfire is not simply about fire management, fire operations, or WUI problem. It is a larger, more complex land management and societal issue. The following websites provide more information for the comprehensive undertaking of managing WUI blazes:
(Source: American Radio Relay League)
Considering the requirement for emergency communications during a major disaster, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the variety of roles performed by amateur radio operations. In a 3 May forum on earthquake communications preparedness, discussed in a news release by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate described the amateur radio operator as “the ultimate backup.” He explained that amateur radio volunteers use their own time and resources to help get the word out in the critical first hours of a disaster.
There are two groups of volunteer radio operators that provide assistance during an emergency: Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). RACES operators, who are registered with state and local governments, are activated after an emergency declaration. They usually operate from state emergency operations centers. ARES members provide emergency communications before an emergency has been officially declared. Many radio operators participate in both organizations.
During the communications forum, Administrator Fugate explained that there is a tendency to dismiss the crucial role of amateur radio operations. To ensure essential communications when disaster occurs, particularly when wired and wireless systems fail, he recommended the inclusion of the amateur radio community in emergency communications plans. He stated: “Amateur radio oftentimes is our last line of defense.”
See the WJHG article for a recent example of how amateur radio operators have become capability multipliers during local emergencies.
(Source: ComputerWeekly.com)
Although there is currently no evidence of systematic cyber terrorism, ComputerWeekly.com reported in a 12 July article that cyber terrorism will become an increasing problem as the tools and techniques needed for cyber attacks become more widely available. Based on her research, the author wrote: “Terrorists are utilizing a range of new technologies to ramp up attacks.”
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that nationwide electronic data networks are intimately linked to practically all elements of daily life, including critical infrastructures such as the emergency services, which includes 9-1-1 centers. This reliance on networked operations and wireless data systems increases the potential for the exploitation of gaps in electronic defenses.
The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) prepared numerous cyber security tips to mitigate or eliminate the threat of a cyber attack by domestic criminals or transnational terrorists. The following salient recommendations have been summarized for the benefit of emergency departments and agencies:
Additional information to protect against cyber terrorism can be seen at staysafeoneline.org and at onguardonline.gov.
(Source: FEMA)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was notified about the start of the monthly continuity of operations webinar series offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The webinars are specifically designed for those who plan, train, and manage continuity of operations programs.
The webinars occur the first Wednesday of every month at approximately 2 p.m. EST. Each 45-minute webinar includes a 10-minute Question and Answer session. FEMA indicated that the webinars are an opportunity to meet with continuity experts across the emergency management family and share best practices on how government, organizations, and communities can prepare for and recover from a disaster.
More information can be obtained at the designated webinar website. To request additional information or to register for the webinars, send an email to FEMA-ContinuityWebinar@dhs.gov.
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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U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 | USNG: 18SUJ00529652
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July 14, 2011 InfoGram