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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Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is introducing four new eLearning modules for fire service personnel. The courses were designed to help fire service personnel rethink tactics and response plans. Training modules were developed to address changes in construction and technology that were identified through collaborative fire research and burn tests.
Modern home construction now uses more lightweight engineering and synthetic furnishings, for example. These trends drastically affect the modern day firefighting environment. The new courses include:
The 2- or 3-hour courses are available online. Courses are either free with no Continuing Education Unit (CEU) option or students can choose to earn .2 or .3 CEUs for a fee.
(Source: UL Online Firefighter Training)The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recently published several 1-page Coffee Break Training bulletins that can be of great use to first responders:
Commonly Used Abbreviations (PDF, 456 Kb) lists National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hazardous materials reference codes used in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. The list includes abbreviations for physical and chemical properties such as flash point (Fl.P), ionization potential (IP), freezing point (FRZ), and molecular weight (MW).
Knowing these and other acronyms help first responders understand the potential dangers at the scene of a spill or accident. The November 5, 2012 Coffee Break Training (PDF, 458 Kb) discusses why the properties of vapor pressure (VP), boiling point (BP), and vapor density (VD) are important to understanding risk.
United States National Grid (PDF, 152 Kb) summarizes how this standard mapping system can be helpful in any response when landmarks have been totally destroyed or when responders are deploying to an unfamiliar area of the country. It also includes examples of how the USNG is being used in different states and links to sample maps.
(Source: U.S. Fire Administration)One of the most dangerous things that can happen on the fireground is failing to identify a building’s construction for what it really is. Planning fire attack on assumption and first impressions instead of doing proper pre-fire planning is a deadly practice.
A recent article in Fire Engineering on concealed combustibles discusses specific problems such as brick façades and flexible gymnasium flooring. As the author indicates, response to either of these with full knowledge of and planning for the construction properties can keep injury or loss of life from occurring.
The late Francis Brannigan wrote a column for Fire Rescue Magazine featuring hidden construction hazards and how to better understand building construction of all kinds. Some hazards discussed in his articles include carpeting and acrylic sheets, structural loads, and "party walls."
(Source: Fire Engineering Magazine)Both the American Red Cross (ARC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) started using social media as an outreach mechanism more in the past few years. Both organizations agree that it has been an overall positive move, but like any method of communication it still has its drawbacks.
Hundreds of thousands of people follow the official Twitter feeds and Facebook pages of both FEMA and ARC, and thousands more follow feeds for regional ARC chapters or other federal entities or individuals. Each follower has the potential to republish or otherwise pass on safety and hazard information, making social media a far-reaching communication mechanism.
Individuals starting rumors or passing along misinformation is one downfall. While stopping inaccuracies completely is unlikely in any type of media, controlling them online is especially complicated. Two good ways to start:
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November 8, 2012 InfoGram (PDF, 153 Kb)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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Last Reviewed: November 8, 2012
Happy New Year! Add this resolution to the top of your list: test all home smoke alarms each month - starting today! January 1, 2013 @ 10:04 AM ET
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