March 2, 2006 Infogram

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 e-mail at emr-isac@dhs.gov.

Firefighters and EMS as Antiterrorism Multipliers

The Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) promoted terrorism threat awareness for all members of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) in several previous INFOGRAMs. This attentiveness combined with understanding is essential for two major reasons: to protect the critical infrastructures of ESS departments and agencies, and to bolster the efforts of law enforcement to apprehend suspected terrorists.

It is the second reason stated above that warrants some additional consideration. This is because in the past two years fire and emergency medical (EMS) personnel have provided information to their police counterparts that may have prevented terrorist activity within their jurisdictions. For example, the EMR-ISAC learned that during a fire suppression operation last year firefighters observed paraphernalia related to terrorist activity. These firefighters immediately informed their chief, who quickly notified the police on location. After a speedy investigation, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained some building occupants and eventually deported the suspects.

This case demonstrates how being aware, observant, and following through on something extraordinary resulted in positive antiterrorism results. It certainly validates the abilities and opportunities for non-law enforcement first responders to make a significant difference in the local battle against terrorism. Recognizing the value-added of this necessary "response-ability," the EMR-ISAC maintains that fire and EMS personnel are credible antiterrorism multipliers.

Guide for Regional Disaster Resilience

After months of intense collaboration among its partners and more than 100 practitioners, policymakers, and technical experts, The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) recently launched its "Guide for an Action Plan to Develop Regional Disaster Resilience." The Guide provides a strategy to develop the necessary level of preparedness for communities to manage major disasters in today's complex and interdependent world. It is intended for all organizations with specific missions in assuring that the regions in which they reside can withstand catastrophes and respond and recover rapidly after the event.

The EMR-ISAC reviewed this Guide, which offers key definitions and a set of common assumptions that support regional disaster resilience. Using a simple, practical "how-to" approach, it lists twelve categories of typical "needs" gleaned from lessons learned in previous deliberate and accidental catastrophes. The Guide further recommends short and long-term activities to address any preparedness gaps. Many of the suggested activities are time efficient and low cost. Others are more involved and will require funding and technical assistance.

Because it gives ideas to facilitate a quicker disaster recovery and earlier return to normal operations, the EMR-ISAC agrees that the Guide is a quality source for complementing critical infrastructure protection with critical infrastructure resiliency. Therefore, the leadership of the Emergency Services Sector can see and download the Guide using the following link: http://www.tisp.org/rdr_guide (PDF, 1.2 MB).

ESS Members Vulnerable on Roadways

At increasing rates, accidents en route to or returning from emergency incidents and vehicle "struck-bys" continue to cause injury and death among members of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS), including damaged or destroyed apparatus and vehicles. The EMR-ISAC has written about this matter before, but learned recently that vehicle accidents are now the leading cause of death for police officers.

According to information on the Officer.com website, roadway accidents have been historically the second-leading cause of police officer fatalities; however, over the last 30 years there has been a 40 percent increase in deaths, with most of the victims struck by vehicles. Law enforcement officers face the added threat of being killed by suspects during traffic-stop situations. Members of the fire and emergency medical services as well as tow truck drivers are also put at risk on roadways.

More than 30 states have enacted laws, e.g., "move over/slow down," to mitigate the problem. Officer.com compiled the following list of recommended measures helpful to police and other emergency responders:

Plan vehicle stops based on tactical and strategic advantages for the officer.
Consider whether such environmental factors as traffic conditions, location, lighting, available cover, information on vehicle and occupants, and availability of backup are favorable.
Advise the driver being stopped to change his/her stop location by using the patrol car's public address system.
Call in traffic stops by radio before approaching a driver and do so each and every time.
Pause to monitor the actions of the driver and occupants.
Observe whether driver or occupants might be trying to conceal weapons, other illicit items or preparing to flee or use the vehicle to injure the officer.
Position the patrol vehicle at least 20 feet back and offset to the left or right of a suspect's vehicle.

These suggestions and others regarding "call-back" techniques, approaching vehicles, "contact and cover," and other recommendations and resources can be viewed at http://officer.com/article/printer.jsp?id=28813&siteSection=3.

National Study on Traffic Signal Preemption

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released the results of a study on preempting traffic signals for emergency vehicles. To prepare the report, the two agencies reviewed publications and conducted site visits to three jurisdictions that operate emergency vehicle preemption systems.

The purpose of the study is to increase awareness among stakeholders of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) about the benefits and costs of emergency vehicle preemption systems. The EMR-ISAC proposes that these systems may help to protect vital ESS critical infrastructure-personnel and equipment-by reducing the number of emergency vehicle crashes while also accomplishing shorter response times.

The study recommends that jurisdictions considering the implementation of an emergency vehicle preemption system involve all stakeholders in a formal and collaborative manner, identify one agency that will be responsible for system maintenance, devise a clear method for reporting system problems, and view implementing the preemption system as part of a local Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) architecture.

To download a copy of Traffic Signal Preemption for Emergency Vehicles-A Cross Cutting Study, visit http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov//JPODOCS/REPTS_TE//14097.htm.

FAIR USE NOTICE

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.

Reporting Notice

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 e-mail 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 e-mail 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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