PO Box 891993 - Temecula, CA 92589-1993 - (951) 764-3626
www.oursafetowns.com
Community Safety/Security eNewsletter January 2008
Welcome to the January 2008 Issue
Big Things Ahead!
Since our last newsletter, we've had Iranian gunboats running down US Navy ships, the Prime Minister of Pakistan was assasinated by a suicide bomber, there was another suicide attack in Pakistan a few days later, a luxury hotel in Kabul was bombed, there was a major loss to the Societe Generale in France, and with all of that going on, we're going to talk about: cold weather and flooding. The fact is, while we need to keep our eye on the big picture, we also need to operate tactically, which means addressing natural disasters and local issues. So Bill has a few things to say about keeping pets safe during the winter and about flooding in the springtime. I'm also going to take a couple of sentences here to let you know what is going on with us, in case you need to contact us for any reason.
We've closed out several projects including an Emergency Response Plan (with a new format that is compliant with NIMS and is usable) for a major Water District in Southern California, the first part of a three part project to develop a Hazardous Materials Transportation Annex to an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and training needs assessment for a city, and a Risk Management Plan update. We've had to turn away a few projects because of the short deadlines, but we will have a stable location and schedule as of mid-February, so feel free to run your projects past us as long as they work to make people safer. For those who wish to correspond with us, please use our temporary PO Box in the Capitol Region:
PO Box 15494
Washington, DC. 20003
We'll be providing an update to you as soon as we get a permanent location out that way. Stay safe and we'll talk to you next month!
Stephen
More Words on Winter
The holidays have passed, and, in the colder parts of the country, we're gazing out the window at the white blanket of snow that is being viewed with a somewhat jaded eye, brought upon by too many shovel sessions (or the plow that seems intent on blocking our driveways with a wall of ice), windshield scraping, and the nerve racking experiment of friction involving snow tires and icy roads…
After the weather turns warm again, the snow will melt and the water will flow. Once it has refreshed the local water table, it will seek the low points, become creeks and then rivers. With any luck, these rivers will be able to contain the increased volume of water caused by the spring run off. Luck is fine in a casino, but by now, we've seen that luck is not a proven safeguard in the face of potential catastrophe.
Fortune favors the bold, but survival favors the prudent. While these potential floodwaters are still locked in their snow-solid state, it might be a good idea to take a few pre-emptive steps. If you live near a body of water, you might want to research flooding in your area. Does your home owners insurance cover flood damage? Does your community have a emergency plan for flooding? Have you stocked up on emergency supplies, just in case? A few steps now will save a lot of heartache later.
Keep warm,
Bill
Human Factors Engineering and the Safety/Security Equations
This month, I'm going to give you a teaser of some issues that I'll be addressing over the next few newsletters. Thinking personally, have you ever deleted the wrong file by mistake? Perhaps you've entered a value in the wrong field on a form, or put the decimal point
in the wrong place? Maybe pulled out the wrong plug when changing equipment? Simple mistakes like these are very commonplace. In the context of information security however, simple configuration mistakes can leave network ports open, firewalls vulnerable and systems unprotected. Regarding physical safety, pressing the wrong key (or the right key at the wrong time) can have similar disastrous effects on operations. A power station operator might press the wrong button, shut down the wrong system, and the results could be millions of dollars in lost business productivity, significant inconvenience, and possibly loss of life.
There is a field of science called "human factors engineering" that seeks to address the problem. The study of human interaction with their surroundings/machines is an integral part of the safety and security equations. Stay tuned, and in the next couple of newsletters, I'll describe some of these Human Factors issues that we are facing in the security industry and how we can use this field of study to help you make production and operational decisions that cost less, produce more, and at the same time - keep people safer and more secure.
See you next month!
Jovanni
National Response Framework Released
Release Date: January 22, 2008
Release Number: FNF-08-008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is responsive to repeated Federal, State, local and private sector requests for a streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly. The NRF also focuses on preparedness and encourages a higher level of readiness across all jurisdictions.
The NRF is being released following an extensive process of outreach and coordination between
DHS and key stakeholders representing Federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector. The latest public comment period for the base document of the NRF closed on October 22, 2007, and the comment period for the support annexes closed on November 10, 2007. The final documents reflect the nearly 5,700 comments received from participants of the process.
"The National Response Framework is an essential tool for emergency managers at all levels," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "It helps define the roles, responsibilities, and relationships critical to effective emergency planning, preparedness, and response to any emergency or disaster. Today's release reflects the culmination of many months of hard work and collaboration among the nation's emergency management community."
The NRF is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as Federal department and agency heads, State governors, mayors, tribal leaders, city managers and the private sector. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government.
The NRF is designed to:
In addition to releasing the NRF base document, the Emergency Support Function Annexes and Support Annexes will be released and posted on-line at the NRF Resource Center (www.fema.gov/nrf). The annexes are a total of 23 individual documents designed to provide concept of operations, procedures and structures for achieving response directives for all partners in fulfilling their roles under the NRF.
- be scalable, flexible and adaptable;
- always in effect; and
- articulates clear roles and responsibilities among local, state, and federal officials.
Upon finalization and publication of the NRF base document and the annexes, a large focus will be to initiate an intensive nationwide training and exercise program to embed the NRF into the nation's preparedness and response cycle. Implementation of the NRF training and exercise strategy will include awareness training, position-specific training, exercises (tabletop and functional), and sustainment training.
To make the NRF a 'living system' that can be revised and updated in a more nimble, transparent fashion, the NRF Resource Center (www.fema.gov/nrf) was developed; an on-line repository of the entire component parts of the NRF. The Resource Center will allow for on-going revisions as necessary to reflect real-world events and lessons learned.
The NRF and the annexes will go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
(Source: FEMA, http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=42361)
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent Events
January 29, 2008 - The Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup was held in Arizona. Dave Lima provided an overview of the Chemical Security Anti-Terrorism Standards. He focused 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 was: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard - Are You Ready?Although SRM Associates was unable to attend, Hill Brothers Chemical sponsored copies of Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe for all attendees. Thanks to Hill Brothers for caring about their community and industry!
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
February 14, 2008 - Yuma Area Ammonia Safety Day (YAASD) will be holding their fourth annual Yuma Area Safety Day. There is no charge for this training, which will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm at the Yuma Civic Center.
In 2008 YAASD again plans to simulate a live ammonia release to demonstrate the behavior of ammonia as it is released under pressure, and what response actions are most effective in resolving problems caused by accidental releases. In addition to the main sessions, they will be offering a choice of four workshop tracks to address specific topics, with one track available in Spanish. They are asking attendees to please register on line at www.yaasd.org for the free breakfast and lunch as well as educational materials and handouts.
Additionally, on February 15th further instruction will be offered for first responders only. This full day of specialized instruction will be geared toward police, fire, and hazmat personnel.
Registration for this event (or to sponsor or exhibit products and services) is available at their website at www.yaasd.org, or by contacting YAASD secretary Ellen Baxter at Ellen.Baxter@ci.yuma.az.us or by phone at (928) 373-4861.
No real changes since last month. Stephen will be in the Washington, DC area about February 15, and if anyone out that way is interested in getting together to discuss issues (or to give him information on the local area) he would love to make that happen.
We are continuing to do consulting work with cities and businesses and if we don't have an office in your area, we will wither try to help over distance (using the internet and travel) or help you to find the right person in your area. 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 want someone to help spend grant money. We make the world safer. It's our reson for being, our passion and if we're not doing that, then the project isn't right for us. If we can make the world safer, there isn't a more committed passionate
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
Floods
Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.
However, all floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee is breached, but still can be destructive. Flooding can also occur when a dam breaks, producing effects similar to flash floods.
Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather can flood. Every state is at risk from this hazard.
(For more information, visit FEMA’s Flood Page, at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm)
Did You Know?
New Border Crossing Procedures Begin Jan. 31, 2008
January 18, 2008 – Beginning January 31, 2008, border crossers will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. This change primarily affects United States and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone, and marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the country. It is also the start of a more robust and concerted public education campaign, intended to inform travelers of document requirements which will be implemented next year.
“For the safety of the American people, the United States cannot have an honor system at the border,” said Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Requiring secure and reliable documentation at our borders will drastically reduce security vulnerabilities posed by permitting entry based on oral declarations alone." Read More.
(Source: DHS Website: http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm)
Pets and Cold Weather
Pets and cold weather.
(Source: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, http://www.aspca.org)
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
- During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
- Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
- Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
- Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
- Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
