Infogram

June 24, 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.

Emergency Responders: A National Treasure

Throughout the United States emergency responders are quickly and effectively there with available resources in support of all response and recovery operations. As frequently written, this reality substantiates that emergency response organizations are the first line of defense when and where any disaster occurs. While their work is inherently dangerous, the duties performed by first responders are absolutely indispensable at every minor crisis and major disaster. Many of those served by an emergency department have referred to these heroes as a national treasure.

The people, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems (i.e., the critical infrastructures) comprise the first response agencies that enable Americans to enjoy safety, security, and health standards exceeding most countries of the world. Numerous terrorism experts believe they are high value targets of domestic and transnational terrorists because an attack on these critical infrastructures could have adverse cascading effects, significantly diminish the national morale, and weaken overall confidence in all levels of government.

Recognizing the risks of an assault on this national treasure, the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to the emergency services a portion of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) currently under development. When finalized, this plan will translate into meaningful action that ultimately safeguards response organizations and strengthens their "response-ability."

In the meantime, however, local leaders must still be encouraged to plan and train with their regional partners to ensure a coordinated, multiagency endeavor when disaster strikes. Building on the concept of mutual aid, an integrated approach applies the best capabilities of every organization for the protection of those serving as well as for the benefit of those served.

Protecting Emergency Responders

Better planning, training, coordination, and management procedures are needed to protect emergency responders at the scene of terrorist attacks and catastrophes, according to a study released last week by the RAND Corporation and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The study proposes a new approach that would make protecting the health and safety of emergency responders-the foremost of a department's critical infrastructures-a key priority in coordinating the overall response to all hazards.

The document entitled, "Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 3: Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response," indicates that each agency sending emergency responders to an incident currently takes responsibility for protecting its own personnel. Because several departments from nearby communities often assist with their own protocols and procedures, coordinating efforts to protect all responders is difficult at best.

This report recommends the development of common standards and guidelines, use of disaster safety managers to lead coordination between agencies, inclusion of realistic safety and health issues in joint training and exercises, and the availability of expertise and assets to protect responder safety. Such would prevent different departments from wasting valuable time trying to devise ways to protect personnel on a case-by-case basis at each emergency scene. The study can be seen at: http://www.rand.org/publications/MG/MG170/MG170.sum.pdf.

Harmonizing Hazard Mitigation

The EMR-ISAC maintains that hazard mitigation is the top line of critical infrastructure protection (CIP), with mission assurance being the bottom line. Regarding local CIP, hazard mitigation includes any activities that will eliminate, deter, or reduce the degradation, incapacitation, or destruction of critical infrastructures caused by all hazards. It is the phase of emergency management planning that considers the risks to all community critical infrastructures and key resources, including the sprawl of power plants, rail yards, truck depots, wharves, chemical facilities, and more.

In order to acquire comprehensive hazard mitigation, the EMR-ISAC suggests that community leaders harmonize a symphony composed of first responders, community planning board, hospitals, schools, transportation agencies, public utilities, key businesses, news reporters, etc. The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) may be the ideal entity to conduct such business. The opportunities there for quality hazard mitigation will depend on building and nurturing solid partnerships based on trust and good communication among community stakeholders.

The hazard mitigation plan, if one exists, should be reviewed by the symphony of stakeholders-within the LEPC if possible-to ensure ongoing activities to eliminate, deter, or reduce the hostile effects of all-hazard emergencies. Additionally, these community leaders should guarantee that the plan really meets their needs and is appropriately tailored to the locality. Finally, the mitigation activities plan should be specific about who is going to do what, when, where, and how.

Another Perspective on Dirty Bombs

Evidence collected by the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified a dramatic rise in the level of radioactive material smuggling. IAEA disclosed that there have been 215 confirmed cases of illicit trafficking in radiological materials in the last five years. These materials are the radioactive sources that can be used in "dirty bombs," but not in nuclear-blast weapons. "Dirty bombs" spread radioactive material by combining it with conventional explosives. They do not require a chain reaction like fission or fusion (i.e., nuclear) weapons.

According to physics experts, radiological weapons generally do not produce higher fatalities. If the radioactivity were dispersed over a large area, then the area would have to be evacuated. However, in all probability no specific deaths or extensive radiation illness could be attributed to the event. A physics professor recently wrote: "There will be no dead bodies at the scene, unless someone is killed by the explosion itself." Nevertheless, he stated, even a "dirty bomb" without casualties "could spread panic based on the risk of long-term cancer." Yet, in reality, the risk is lower, "because the body can repair much of the damage."

Considering the facts about "dirty bombs," terrorism specialists resolve that if terrorists do attack with these devices, "more resulting death might come from automobile accidents as people flee." "Dirty bombs" are not weapons of mass destruction, but are "weapons of mass disruption." Their success depends on public and government overreaction. "The main thing we have to fear from "dirty bombs" is fear itself."

For more information on this subject, see the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fact Sheet: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/dirty-bombs.html.

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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