Infogram

October 14, 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.

Strengthening Operational Relationships

Previous INFOGRAMs emphasized that the protection of the critical infrastructures (i.e., personnel, physical assets, communication/cyber systems) of emergency departments is necessary to ensure survivability, continuity of operations, and mission success. Past INFOGRAMs also stated that critical infrastructure protection (CIP) significantly enhances the "response-ability" of first responder organizations.

Emergency agencies considering the implementation of infrastructure protection should understand that several CIP measures require only the investment of some time. For example, continuity of operations and "response-ability" can be improved appreciably by strengthening operational relationships with community stakeholders having key emergency response roles. Operational coordination and planning among these local decision-makers (e.g., governing council, law enforcement, public health, medical departments, public utilities/works, mass transportation, and emergency communications) promote efficient and lasting cooperation before, during, and after man-made and natural disasters.

The time spent on developing constructive, trustworthy relationships among the leaders of municipal critical assets potentially produces common protocols for successful interdependent responses to single and multiple incidents. Furthermore, from these strengthened associations can flow the long-term mutual agreements that give purpose and direction to CIP. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC reminds that operational relationship building including all those with response duties must be a never-ending evolution that constantly seeks perfection.

Wildland/Urban Interface

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is an interagency program supported by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, which consists of multiple federal and state fire agencies. Its purpose is to improve safe work performance and organizational learning in interagency wildland firefighting. Located at the National Advanced Fire Resource Institute in Tucson, Arizona, the Center operates a website (http://www.wildfirelessons.net) to share lessons learned and best practices. Use this website to access noteworthy wildland/urban interface documents.

Recent reports to the Center substantiate that in the past two years the wildland/urban interface created a new frontier requiring new rules of engagement for firefighting organizations. One report on the Southern California Firestorm of 2003 submits that interface fires of today demand more. The EMR-ISAC interjects that CIP must be included among any new initiatives to guarantee superb results. The following are additional major findings from the California fires:

Pre-established relationships are crucial before and during emergency fire operations.
Fire operations need better communications with interoperable capabilities.
Flexibility is essential in the structure of ground resources and work/rest guidelines.
Preparations for personnel exposure to acrid and dangerous materials is a must.

Protecting Firefighter Safety

The ability to evaluate an approaching wildfire that threatens life and property requires quick thinking and vital decision-making skills. In today's rapidly expanding wildland/urban interface, firefighters are facing the probability for residential wildfire disasters at increasing frequency.

A tool to help train officers and firefighters make crucial decisions safely and effectively is part of the Firefighter Safety in the Wildland/Urban Interface Series. This multipart instructional package is still available and offered at no cost through the Firewise Online Publications Catalog at www.firewise.org. The package consists of three 20-minute videos (or DVDs), an instructor's guide, and a CD with slide presentations. The series covers three topics: Understanding Fire Behavior, Structure Protection Strategies, and Firefighter Safety.

The Firefighter Safety Series was produced by the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program, which is directed and sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The specific Firefighter Safety in the Wildland/Urban Interface Series can be previewed and ordered at https://secure.donet.com/firewise/audiovisual/index.htm.

Terrorism Knowledge Base

The Terrorism Knowledge Base, an online database available at http://www.tkb.org includes detailed reports on more than 18,000 terrorist incidents and nearly 1,000 terrorist groups and their leaders dating back to 1968. The database is still in its final shakedown stage, but it is already accessible for public use.

Created by the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism in Oklahoma City, the database represents the largest repository of international terrorism information ever posted on the Internet. Information sources include the FBI, CIA, and the Rand Corporation. The Rand Corporation is long regarded by government experts and scholars as the world's most extensive and credible non-profit research think-tank.

The Department of Homeland Security is providing some of the funding to support the project. The intended audience ranges from intelligence agencies, first responder organizations, researchers, journalists, and citizens curious about terrorism. Particularly for emergency departments, the website offers a reliable source of information to "know your potential enemy" and the human threat to department and local critical infrastructures.

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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