InfoGram 44-12: November 1, 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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Registry for Functional Needs Residents

Identifying citizens with functional needs requiring individual assistance during an emergency has always been a concern for emergency managers and planners.  St. Louis, MO, addressed this problem by developing a Functional Needs Registry to assist public health authorities identify these citizens to make evacuations easier.

In 2006, a storm hit the city right after Hurricane Katrina and power was out for almost 9 days.  One area agency had a database, but it was limited, and some contact information was missing making it nearly impossible to do individual assessments.  The need for a centralized and expanded database was identified, and the program has been in the works since then.

The voluntary registry was developed through the St. Louis City Health Commissioner’s Investigation Authority and has stringent confidentiality restrictions guarding its use and access.  Residents are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and can be included based on disability, age, or ailment after meeting certain criteria.

The registry includes the individual’s name, physical location, phone number, and emergency contact information.  It can also include other information such as a medications list or any other information that might be of aid during an evacuation.

(Source: Emergency Management Magazine )

CIP Report: Focus on Infrastructure Recovery

The October 2012 issue of The CIP Report focuses exclusively on infrastructure recovery.   Published monthly by George Mason University’s Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security, this topical edition arrives right on the heels of major hurricane damage along the northeastern coast. 

One of the articles, “Assessment and Management of Resilience for Regional Infrastructure,” discusses a vulnerability study carried out on the energy, transportation, communications, and water/wastewater sectors of the National Capital Region.  Among the significant findings, the sectors were mostly aware of their own vulnerabilities, but were:

• Unaware of their up- or down-stream dependencies.
• Not prepared to manage loss of systems.
• Too internally focused in the administration of their organization.

The newsletter also includes examples and case studies for issues like planning and management solutions, fraud and waste of funds, lack of community participation, creating social capital in a community, and dealing with local or cultural needs.

(Source: The CIP Report)

Consequence Management for CBRNE Events

The National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC) is attempting to develop standards to support basic response capabilities to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) incident.  They are organizing efforts to understand the metrics needed to successfully respond to such incidents.

This effort is a first step toward a common approach to developing standards of response and strengthening interoperability between the U.S. and partner nations responding to major CBRNE incidents.  The survey is provided through a grant sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Law Enforcement Standards Office (OLES).

The project seeks to: understand baseline conditions of response to international CBRNE events; exchange ideas about how to document metrics or measures of response; discuss existing and new paths or platforms to share best practices, research, documents, and relevant approaches to increase interoperability; and establish a forum for United States government agencies to exchange information.

A 2013 workshop held in the Washington, DC area will be open to all nations and interested parties.  To receive further information on this initiative and for updates on the workshop, complete the pre-registration form.

(Source: NIST)

Propane and Gas Safety in Flooding Conditions

Responding to a gas leak during average conditions is one thing, but responding during a flood or in the aftermath of a hurricane can bring an entirely different set of variables.  The following include tips, resources, and things to consider if responding to natural gas and propane leaks or possible leaks during such conditions:

• Both propane and natural gas smell similar to rotten eggs, but each has a distinctively different odor.  All first responders should know these smells.
• Be aware of hissing sounds, any confined areas of dead or dying vegetation, or water or dirt spraying or bubbling from the ground.
• Propane tanks can float if broken away from their anchor or pipe systems.  Don’t be surprised if emergency calls come in for tanks floating away.
• Be aware that small grill or torch bottles can easily be hidden in debris.
• When approaching a propane tank, don’t assume the resident has shut off the gas.  To shut the main gas supply valve on the tank, turn it clockwise.
• Propane is heavier than air, but lighter than water.  If there is a propane leak, the propane will pool in the lowest part of the structure.
• Natural gas is lighter than air and will dissipate rapidly.  If the leak is inside, this will increase the levels and make combustion more likely.

(Source: Propane Education & Research Council (PERC))