Infogram

February 26, 2004

NOTE: This INFOGRAM will be distributed weekly to provide members of the emergency management and response sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. It has been prepared by NATEK Incorporated for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. 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.

Crisis Traffic Planning Bolsters CIP

A recent study of American traffic patterns indicated that the number of major traffic bottlenecks on U.S. roads, highways, and interstates has risen 40 percent in the past five years. The final report sponsored by the American Highway Users Alliance (AHUA) stated that bottlenecks account for half of all traffic congestion throughout the nation. An AHUA representative said the definition of a major bottleneck "is one in which motorists lose at least 700,000 hours a year stuck in traffic."

The report attributed increasing traffic gridlock mainly to a growing population in a stable economy. However, it added that traffic congestion and bottlenecks "are also caused by accidents, work zones, construction projects, harsh weather, poor signal timing, as well as man-made and natural disasters." Regardless of the reasons, traffic problems often cause dangerous disruptions to emergency services, significant delays, occasional confusion, serious air pollution, and wasted fuel and time.

Given this consistently growing national problem, the EMR-ISAC recommends an updated local traffic pattern evaluation as necessary. Emergency managers and first responders should consider crisis traffic planning when this assessment substantiates the presence of or potential for frequent traffic gridlock in their communities. Ideally, such planning will mitigate individual traffic problems as they arise and ensure continuity of emergency services. Effective plans with feasible options for major traffic snarls will help to protect critical infrastructures and ensure response-ability.

CIP for Rural America

A Bowling Green State University (BGSU) researcher recently concluded a study of homeland security issues in rural America, including the necessity for critical infrastructure protection (CIP). The researcher examined what she called "vitally and strategically important" key assets found throughout the rural areas of the nation that could be degraded by man-made and natural disasters.

"The concentration of agriculture and food producing activities alone is enough to warrant consideration of rural areas as strategically important," wrote Dr. Karen Johnson-Webb. She reminded that critical infrastructures in rural America also include dams, nuclear power plants, portions of the electrical grid, interstate highway and communication systems, emergency services, etc., all of which are vulnerable to attack by terrorists as well as nature.

The BGSU faculty member additionally emphasized that if a catastrophic terrorist attack occurs in an urban area, an exodus to rural areas is possible, further straining emergency responders and health care workers in those areas. While applauding the "tenacity and commitment" of both urban and rural first responders, "a lot of them would be in over their heads." The EMR-ISAC accepts her report as a caution to national and local leaders to apply CIP to rural U.S. critical infrastructures and key assets in order to accomplish truly comprehensive homeland security.

Homeland Security Information Network

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Press Release of 24 February announced that DHS will expand its computer-based counterterrorism communications network to all 50 states, five territories, Washington DC, and major urban areas to strengthen its two-way flow of threat information. The Press Release stated that this communications system should deliver real-time interactive connectivity among state and local partners and with the DHS Operations Center through the Joint Regional Information Exchange System (JRIES). The announcement further indicated that the broadened JRIES community of users will eventually include State Homeland Security Advisors, State Adjutant Generals (National Guard), State Emergency Operations Centers, local emergency services providers, law enforcement, and others.

Realizing that this network may have future applicability for the Emergency Management and Response (EMR) Sector, the EMR-ISAC will closely monitor all developments and analyze how the network can benefit the sector. Currently, DHS officials indicate that the system will continue to evolve and improve during the next 12 to 24 months. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC will continue its initiative to use portals within DisasterHelp.gov to share information pertaining to EMR Sector critical infrastructures. Any questions about the DisasterHelp.gov momentum for CIP information sharing should be directed to the EMR-ISAC at 301-447-1325 or emr-isac@dhs.gov.

Chemical Agent Detection Guide

The Chemical Agent Detection Guide For First Responders concisely provides emergency response personnel with practical information to help select chemical detection equipment. Additionally, the guide offers information on the types of equipment currently available, selection factors to consider when purchasing detection devices, and government resources on chemical exposure and toxic industrial chemicals. If interested in obtaining a copy of this free guide, contact isea@safetyequipment.org or at http://www.safetyequipment.org.

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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