InfoGram 10-12: March 8, 2012

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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Responses to Clandestine Drug Labs

(Sources: Domestic Preparedness Journal and DOJ)

With increasing frequency, responses to a medical call, fire, or explosion reveal the presence of a clandestine drug lab (CDL). In a Domestic Preparedness Journal article (PDF, 3.2 Mb), the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that a CDL is any laboratory manufacturing illegal controlled drugs or substances that are found in family homes, hotel rooms, mini-storage buildings, campgrounds, car trunks, backpacks, etc.

To assist emergency personnel when responding to incidents involving CDLs, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a guide (PDF, 222 Kb) to address the problem. The document does not provide technical details on all the aspects of CDLs. Rather, it provides a general overview of the menace and of responses to it.

According to the DOJ guide, dealing with CDLs requires an extraordinarily high level of technical expertise. "Responders must understand illicit drug chemistry; how to neutralize the risks of explosions, fires, chemical burns, and toxic fumes; how to handle, store, and dispose of hazardous materials; and how to treat medical conditions caused by chemical exposure."

Information regarding "Strategic Approaches to CDLs" can be seen in the DOJ fact sheet (PDF, 35 Kb).

Traffic Incident Scene Safety

(Sources: FireRescue1 and NTIMC)

An article in FireRescue1 explained that to enhance operational effectiveness when responding to a traffic incident, emergency personnel must place their vehicles strategically to maximize accessibility, utilization, safety, and egress. Upon arriving at the scene, the author recommended responders take a few moments to assess the position of their own vehicle before doing anything else.

Considering that traffic incidents are among the many dangerous tasks performed by first responders, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the guidance of the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC). The coalition is a forum that promotes multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional traffic management programs. Members consist of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Service, Law Enforcement, Public Safety Communications, and others.

The NTIMC established three objectives to promote roadway safety for emergency responders:

• Responder safety is first and paramount.
• Safely and quickly get off the roadway.
• Prompt and reliable interoperable communications among police, fire, and EMS.

To accomplish these objectives and significantly improve safety at traffic incidents requires training, equipment, research, policy development, updated statutes, and performance standards, according to the NTIMC.

Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants

(Source: DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications announced this week the release of the Fiscal Year 2012 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants. This document is updated annually to provide guidance for state, local, tribal, and territorial grantees on eligible activities and equipment standards that may be applicable to federal grants which fund emergency communications projects.

In the Introduction to the document, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) confirmed that the purpose of the guidance is to provide the following information:

• Emergency communications activities that can be funded through federal grants.
• Technical standards that facilitate interoperability.
• Recommendations for planning, coordinating, and implementing emergency communications projects.

SAFECOM is not a grant program, but a source of guidance for organization’s applying for federal grant funding. Specifically, it is a public safety-driven communications program that works to build partnerships among all levels of government to improve emergency response through more efficient interoperable wireless communications.

Blue Campaign

(Source: DHS)

Approximately eighteen months ago, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the Blue Campaign to coordinate and enhance the department’s anti-human trafficking efforts through a variety of programs based on unique statutory authorities and institutional histories. The campaign is organized around the "three Ps" of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (PDF, 39 Kb): Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that the Blue Campaign harnesses and leverages the varied DHS authorities and resources to deter human trafficking by increasing awareness, protecting victims, and contributing to a robust criminal justice response. According to the campaign fact sheet, it is "led by an innovative cross-component steering committee, chaired by the Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and comprised of representatives from seventeen operational and support components from across DHS."

"Human trafficking is a global problem that requires a global solution," said DHS Secretary Napolitano. Through the Blue Campaign, DHS works closely with domestic and international partners spanning federal, state, and local government; non-government organizations; and the private sector.

The DHS Office of Health Affairs and the U.S. Fire Administration collaborated on a public awareness video to help first responders identify possible victims of human trafficking. Information about reporting the crime is also available.