PO Box 891993 - Temecula, CA 92589-1993 - (951) 764-3626
www.oursafetowns.com
Community Safety/Security eNewsletter December 2007
Welcome to the December 2007 Issue
The Times They Are a Changin'
Well folks, we've come to the end of a fairly successful year. We haven't been successfully attacked on our own soil by religious extremists using terror as a weapon, the deaths from our largest natural disasters were less than in previous years, and there are still millions of people that believe in freedom and the “American Way.” Having said that, we've got some big news here. Everyone knows that the price of freedom is constant vigilance, and many of you know that a lot of our folks are Military Reservists or National Guardsmen. When the call comes, we go. My number came up and I'm being activated to the DC area to work in Naval Sea Systems Command Reserve Office. We won't leave you hanging, though. We've got a lot of good guys on the team, and I'll still be able to help, it just means that we'll have to be a little more particular about the jobs that we take, and a little more creative about how we implement our projects. I have no doubt that those who consider themselves competitors will take great joy in our scaled back operations. We intend to keep putting out the newsletter, and in fact, want to welcome Jovanni Conway to the team as our chief technology officer. Joe will be introducing himself a little later in this newsletter.
For those of you who might have to use the services of a consultant for your Chemical Facility Vulnerability Assessments, we will be updating our book Keeping Our Chemical Facilities Safe to address changes that will need to be implemented. Additionally, I'm including a “how-to” in this newsletter for recognizing red flags for consultants that might be less than scrupulous. Hopefully, it will come in handy when you are trying to comply with the regulations.
Before I have to ship a ton of books to the East Coast, if you would like to pick up a bulk pack of Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe before we go, we will refund the shipping costs for any bulk orders purchased before Jan 15, 2008. Click here for a direct link.
Thanks for everyone's help! We're looking forward to some new adventures and to finding creative ways to help you solve your safety concerns! Good luck and God Bless you in the New Year!
Stephen
Winter brings with it a set of unique challenges…
The heating of homes and workplaces become an issue; not only do we have to worry about the cost of this seasonal expense, but we have to figure out the best technology to use for each environment. We have to guard against fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.We have to protect our bodies from the cold, making sure that we remember coats, hats, gloves, thermal undergarments, and boots when we venture outside. A trip down to the corner market suddenly takes on all the aspects of a climb up Mt. Everest’s summit in the teeth of a winter storm. We have to make sure that our bodies are well stocked with the extra nutrients needed to keep us warm.
Winter driving conditions require us to change the way we operate our vehicles. We have to conduct a hip-pockets risk analysis every time we feel the need to take to the road. We have to prepare our vehicles for the cold temperatures; we have to consider the hazards we may face while moving, and the hazards we may face if we have to stop. Breaking down on the side of the road suddenly changes from an inconvenience to a life or death survival scenario.
I urge you to take whatever steps you need to take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of winter’s clutches, and offer the following suggestions:
In the event of cold temperatures, a tropical Pacific island might offer some respite… (I recommend the North Shore in Hawaii.)
Winter weather provides an outstanding opportunity to replenish your body’s stores of chocolate, or, if you prefer, another spoonful of Grandma’s stuffing.
Road conditions can offer the perfect excuse to:
Stay home and curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa…
Make snow angels in the front yard with your kids…
Watch the gently falling snow from the living room window while enjoying the company of family, friends, or a significant other…
See? Preparation doesn’t have to be some ominous harbinger of doom!
May the Holidays bring you peace and joy to you and yours,
Bill
Our New Chief Technology Officer
Hello to everyone out there on the World Wide Web! I am fortunate enough to have stumbled on to this great opportunity with SRM Associates. Not only was I blessed with my gift of gab, charm, and
good looks but with some Internet savvy as well…..that's what I'd like to think anyway.
I am an Engineer, Naval Reservist, community volunteer, and father. Service to my Country, Community, and Family are some of the values I share with Stephen. These values are what motivate me to help you; the private citizen, business, and organization, better prepare yourselves for those catastrophic events that affect our communities from time to time. You ask," Why do I need to know how to respond to these events? Don't we have first responders?" Well, 99% of the time, the private citizen is the first on the scene. As a business or organization, the safety of your establishment as well as your surrounding community is of the utmost importance. Not only is the
community your customer base, it is where your friends and family reside. Safety is a group effort and preparedness is paramount in keeping us safe.
I look forward to providing more information to help all of us make the world a safer place!
Jovanni
DHS Releases REAL ID Grant Guidance
Release Date: December 13, 2007
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today grant guidance and application kits for two grant programs totaling more than $35 million to assist states in preparing for REAL ID implementation. REAL ID addresses a core 9/11 Commission finding to enhance the security, integrity and protection of licensing and identification systems nationwide, and was mandated by Congress.
"The 9/11 Commission stated unambiguously that for terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Too often bogus birth certificates and other documents have been used to unlawfully obtain a driver’s license, causing the American public to insist on greater identity protection. These funds will advance the ability of states to verify the legitimacy of documents that applicants present, and to confirm that the applicants are who they say they are."
The REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program will provide $31.3 million for checking motor vehicle records in other states to ensure that drivers do not hold multiple licenses, and for verification against federal records like immigration status. This grant will help standardize methods by which states may seamlessly verify an applicant’s information with another state and deploy data and document verification capabilities that can be used by all states, while protecting personal identification information.
The REAL ID Vital Events Verification State Project Grant will provide $4 million to help verify birth certificates and other vital records. This funding complements a $3 million grant for a REAL ID Pilot Project awarded to Kentucky in fiscal year 2006 that tested unique software to improve identity verification capabilities. The additional $4 million will further support and expand the pilot program, allowing other states to acquire and benefit from this or similar software that verifies birth record information for individuals applying for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card.
States competing for the REAL ID Demonstration Grant are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate how other states would be able to use, modify, or transfer a personal identification verification system or established architecture that is designed and developed through federal funding.
DHS began allowing states to use up to 20 percent of the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) for REAL ID initiatives in fiscal year 2007. More than $509 million in SHSGP funding awards were provided last year.
For more information and the complete application kit, please visit www.grants.gov.
Red Flags for Consultants
By Stephen R. Melvin, PE CSP CPP
These are my top 10 flags to watch out for when hiring a consultant to perform a Security Vulnerability Assessment on your facility:
If you have questions about consultants before you hire them, give us a call. We can provide you with an independent review of their qualifications, proposed scope, style, and level of resources for accomplishing your job. Good luck!
- Red Flag 1: Experience. If a consultant claims to have performed Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVA) on chemical facilities prior to August of 2001, scrutinize that experience very closely. Some states (such as California) had requirements to address terrorism/sabotage as an external event during a process hazard analysis. Most of this experience consists of the consultant saying to the client: "Do you think your security standards are adequate?"
- Red Flag 2: Applicability. If a consultant has many years of security experience, look at what they have done. Managing security guards is not the same as performing an SVA on a facility. Performing an SVA on a military or nuclear facility is not the same as performing one on a facility which doesn't have an unlimited checkbook or armed personnel onsite to help guard their assets.
- Red Flag 3: Methodology. Ask them to be very specific what methodology they plan to use and what steps they will take to implement that methodology. DHS is being very specific about what methodology they will accept and if a consultant does not have experience with that specific methodology, then they will need experience implementing a wide variety of methodologies in order to be flexible enough to do a good job on this one.
- Red Flag 4: Expertise. If they have a lot of expertise in security but none in chemicals, then you will be making up for that lack by providing that expertise to the study. Contrariwise, if they have expertise in safety, chemistry, engineering, or safety (i.e. chemical plant expertise) but none in security, then your staff will need to provide the security experience.
- Red Flag 5: Consistency. If the consulting firm has a high turnover, then the people who start your project may not be the same people who finish it. References are also good for checking their historical performance.
- Red Flag 6: Certification. Look for the following certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) for engineering/process expertise, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) for security expertise, and Certified Safety Professional (CSP) for safety expertise. These are base level certifications and the senior person in charge of your project should have at least one of these certifications.
- Red Flag 7: Bait and Switch. Some consultants have a few senior people and many junior people. They will get your business by showing you their senior people, but will use the project to train their junior people. [This is more common than you would like to believe.] Especially check to make sure that the people with certifications are the ones working on your project.
- Red Flag 8: Overcommitment. During the period in which a lot of facilities will need to complete their studies, the market will be flooded with people trying to get a piece of the action. Some of them will be unqualified (they took one course to become an "expert") and others will have too many projects on their plate to be able to give your the time it deserves.
- Red Flag 9: Scope Change. Pay close attention to the scope of the project. Some consultants will come in with a small scope and then will give you a product that is not up to par, will require that you make up the difference in effort out of your resources, or will hit you up with large scope changes to get the work done - after it's too late to change.
- Red Flag 10: Input Style. If the consultant is going to perform your SVA with no input from you, then you will end up with a) poor results that don't truly define your vulnerabilities or b) recommendations that are not in line with your corporate views. In other words, you know your facility best - use that expertise, and you know what your management will accept - don't let someone else ram expensive recommendations down your throat.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent Events
In early December, DHS had a conference of all the Area Commanders and some others involved in the Chemical Facility Vulnerability Assessments. They were provided some guidance on the new regulations. We expect that we will see some new guidance from them soon!
If you have any events to list, please call or email us at (951) 764-3626 or email Stephen at: info@oursafetowns.com
Upcoming Events
January 29, 2008 - It's time for the Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup in Arizona, and Stephen has been asked to speak again this year on the Chemical Facility Vulnerability Assessment Regulations. While he will not be able to attend due to his military activation, Dave Lima will be giving an overview of the regulations themselves. He will be focusing on an overview of the rule requirements, with emphasis on determining applicability, review of Appendix A, STQ's, and the various steps in the CFATS process. The title of his presentation is: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard - Are You Ready?
Although Stephen will be unable to attend, Hill Brothers Chemical Company will be sponsoring copies of Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe for all attendees. Thanks to Hill Brothers for caring about their community and industry!
Well, things have just become much more fluid in how we take care of our clients. Stephen is hoping that with his travel schedule, he will have some opportunities to finish up Keeping Our Schools Safe, and maybe some additional projects as well.
We continue to look for folks who are interested in reviewing it (we've had a couple more after the last newsletter), and always welcome your comments as to what you would like to see in the final product.
We will continue to do consulting work with cities and businesses. As our business grows, we want you to know that we are committed to ensuring that we provide the same level of expertise and service to which you are accustomed. We work with people who are interested in making their business, community or jurisdiction safer, and not just people who are willing to help someone spend grant money. There are plenty of other folks out there who will do that. It's only because of you that we are able to make these wonderful things happen!
As always, if you are interested in working with us directly to make your community, business, or agency safer, please contact us at: info@oursafetowns.com.
Remember, Keeping Our Chemical Facilities Safe has been published, and is now available! We will provide free updates to all purchasers when we revise the book after DHS releases their guidance. Click here to purchase your copy! See you next month!
Useful Information
DHS Encourages Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2008
Release Date: December 20, 2007
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds Americans that the New Year is a perfect time to Resolve to be Ready. The department’s Ready Campaign has outlined the top 10 items for a basic emergency supply kit so that every American can keep their preparedness resolutions next year.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Having a plan can make all the difference, as the recent flooding and ice storms across the country have shown. The time for individuals, families and businesses to plan is now, and to resolve to make readiness a priority for 2008.”
Keeping New Year’s resolutions is challenging, but making resolutions that are simple and realistic is the key to success. Americans can successfully prepare for emergencies by following the Ready Campaign’s three easy steps:
To help get started, the Ready Campaign is issuing a checklist of the leading items needed in a basic emergency supply kit for the home or business. These items include: water, food, radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, whistle, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, wrench or pliers, local maps, and personal items.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit;
- Make a family emergency plan; and
- Be informed about the kinds of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.
For the complete list of items the Ready Campaign recommends including in your emergency kit, visit the Ready Campaign Web site at www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Ready also suggests creating a smaller, portable kit for your home or office in case you need to evacuate immediately. The Web site includes free information, checklists and guidelines about the two other key components of preparedness – developing a family emergency plan and being informed.
DHS reminds Americans to get involved in neighborhood and community preparedness efforts once their families are prepared. A good way to start is by reaching out to a local Citizen Corps Council to learn about hands-on training and opportunities to get involved with a local organization. For more information, visit the Citizens' Corps Website.
Cold temperatures of winter prompt the use of many different types of indoor heaters. In some cases, winter weather can cause power outages, prompting the use of gasoline powered generators. With both heaters and generators there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
- Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
- Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
- Do not idle the car inside garage.
Source: EPA – Indoor Air Quality Webpage (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html)
In addition to these suggestions, consider the following precautions as well:
Consult the user’s manual for the heater or generator you are operating for specific precautions relative to your specific piece of equipment.
- Do not operate heaters or generators without ensuring adequate fresh air ventilation.
- Do not operate generators where the exhaust can be drawn into a building’s fresh air intake.
