Infogram

September 9, 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.

Preparations for National Elections

Although the presidential nominating conventions and other extraordinary gatherings this summer occurred without incident, terrorists still hope to disrupt the American democratic process and may attempt to do so on election day (November 2, 2004), according to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Threat reporting over the last several months has been "consistent, general and credible," and indicates the al-Qaeda network is trying to push ahead with its plans, Ridge said. The fact that there have been no attacks "should not diminish the level of vigilance, awareness, and concern" throughout the nation.

Terrorism specialists fear that attackers might employ tactics similar to those used in the 1 September seizure of the school in Beslan, Russia. Investigators there confirm that militants secreted into the school a cache of weapons, explosives, and other equipment weeks and perhaps months before their dreadful acts resulting in the deaths of over 338 hostages. Some officials expressed trepidation about the security of the high density voting sites everywhere in America. These individuals assert that well-known voting locations utilized during each election are particularly vulnerable to terrorist advance preparations.

Everyday that passes without an attack by adversaries of the United States gives the leadership of the Emergency Services Sector (i.e., police, fire, emergency medical, and emergency management agencies) more time to identify and protect their community and internal critical infrastructures. Recent events in Russia suggest that police and fire officials should apply some of this time to scrutinize the voting sites where large numbers of people normally gather. The EMR-ISAC maintains that the next 50 days provide an excellent opportunity for first responders to make a significant national difference in the survivability of citizens and continuity of government. Preventive measures implemented between now and 2 November will ensure safe and successful elections.

Preparedness in America's Schools

Within just a few coincidental days of the militant provoked disaster at a Russian school, the nonprofit "America Prepared Campaign" announced its report entitled "Preparedness in America's Schools." According to this new national study, numerous school districts in the United States are not doing enough to protect children and faculty in the event of a terrorist attack. Authors of this report write that countless numbers of schools throughout the country need improved emergency plans, more emergency drills, and better informed parents. Additionally, the president of the National School Safety and Security Service stated a few months ago that America's schools and campuses are still soft targets for terrorism because "they lack an excellent level of security and emergency preparedness." He continued that too many schools have been "preoccupied with student violence and substance abuse."

Considering this unfavorable preparedness report, the EMR-ISAC encourages the leadership of the emergency services to contact the senior administrators of local schools and colleges. Chief officers can offer their encouragement and assistance to these learning centers as they conduct quality emergency planning and develop effective crisis action plans. Among the most important things to be accomplished in this joint endeavor will be the harmonious integration of the school's plans with the emergency response plans of the community in which the teaching establishment resides. The benefits of coordinating and integrating emergency plans among the schools, first response organizations, and their communities cannot be over-emphasized.

There are superb resources available to support preparedness in America's schools through the U.S. Department of Education at the following link:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/index.html.

Enhance CIP with Coalition Building

Within most municipalities there are organizations (e.g., associations, clubs, veterans groups, etc.) dedicated to serving the community. Their contributions almost always improve the environment and quality of life. These community assets can also strengthen the critical infrastructure protection (CIP) efforts of the local emergency response agencies.

The EMR-ISAC recommends that senior leaders of emergency departments conduct coalition building with all of the service organizations within their jurisdiction. An effective way to do this is to invite the club membership to tour responder agency facilities. During the visit, chief officers can brief the visitors regarding how the specific group can bolster the protective measures of the emergency department and locality. For example, club members can multiply the numbers of those watching for and reporting suspicious behavior around nearby critical infrastructures.

Several first response departments reported successful "team building" with the Lions Club, Elks, Eagles, VFW, American Legion, and others. As a result of these new coalitions, some police and fire/EMS organizations have even received monetary donations and equipment. The possibilities for valuable relationships between service groups and emergency agencies are good; and the potential for positive outcomes for CIP are just as good.

Exercise Caution

A few of the nation's biggest cities with large emergency response departments are auctioning or selling used emergency vehicles and equipment. The EMR-ISAC ascertained that this is a common practice to dispose of unwanted property in a manner that brings some revenue back to the city. However, the practice begs a very timely question: "have the buyers' credentials been carefully examined before any bargaining occurs?" Validating the identity of prospective buyers is an absolute necessity to avoid inadvertently putting used emergency apparatus and equipment into the hands of those who may refurbish their purchase and use it for illicit purposes. Unfortunately, a similar scenario has already occurred in Israel. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC urges the leaders of the emergency services to help their city managers or property disposal agents do the right thing before releasing former department vehicles and equipment. This caution also applies to volunteer fire/EMS organizations who usually act for themselves.

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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