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Community Safety/Security eNewsletter
August 2008
Welcome to the August 2008 Issue
Stephen
So last month I told you all that I am working as the Flag Secretary for Rear Admiral Browne (the Senior Reserve Engineering Duty Officer) and will be here at least through the end of the fiscal year. Turns out the Joint Staff in the Pentagon was looking for someone to help put together a strategy for C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) integration across the services. They've pulled me on for the next year. Should be a good opportunity to put my degree in National Security and Strategic Studies to good use, but it does mean that I won't be coming back to consulting full-time anytime soon. Joe has a great newsletter put together for everyone with some great opportunities. Let us know which ones are good for you, and which ones are just "filler." I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Labor Day. Remember that next month is National Preparedness month, so go get prepared! We'll see you then!
Jovanni
Well, Hurricane Fay has officially christned Florida into Hurricane season. Working as an administrator in a five hospital system has opened my eyes in disater coordination. I had wittnessed first hand the system working closely with local, state and national partners to ensure the continued availability of critical health care services during a possible disaster. Our preparedness enabled our health care infrastructure with:
Plans to ensure there are equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for hospitals to treat the sick and injured.
Improved emergency communication systems to ensure all involved with the disaster response are kept informed.
A network of volunteer health care professionals to assist in a medical response where needed.
On a family/personal note, preparing a family disaster kit to making sure that all family members know how and when to wash their hands, you can ensure that you and your family have taken the right steps to protect yourselves during an emergency. I know it's hard to do last minute planning so future preparedness is key. Stay safe!
In the News
FEMA Announces Interem Release of Comprehensive Preparedness Guide
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-150WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the release of the interim Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101: Producing Emergency Plans: A Guide for All-Hazard Operations Planning for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments.
The interim guide was developed by a team of tribal, state and local officials from all around the United States who worked together to develop guidance that can aid jurisdictions in protecting their citizens. CPG 101 is the first in the series of publications developed through the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate's CPG Initiative. Future CPGs will discuss planning considerations for a variety of emergency functions, hazards and special preparedness programs. Example topics include: Response Catastrophic Logistics Planning, Evacuation Planning, Debris Management, Emergency Public Information, and Natural Hazards. The next guide scheduled for release is CPG 301 - Emergency Planning Guide for Special Needs Populations.
Interim CPG 101 is the foundation for both public and private sector emergency planning in the United States. Emergency planners in all disciplines and organizations may find portions of the guide useful in the development of their emergency response plans. Over the next several months, a series of forums will be held and an open comment period conducted prior to finalizing the document.
For further information on CPG and other FEMA initiatives, visit www.fema.gov.
Comprehensive Preparedness ( http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45314 )September is National Preparedness Month
Release Date: August 28, 2008
Release Number: R10-08-120
SEATTLE, Wash. -- September is National Preparedness Month, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has joined with more than 2,700 national, regional, state and local agencies and organizations to encourage Americans to prepare their homes, businesses, schools and communities for disasters of all kinds. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Susan Reinertson, motivating individuals, businesses and communities across the country to plan and prepare for emergencies is the cornerstone of effective government response and recovery efforts.
"National Preparedness Month is a great time for the American public to learn about how to prepare for natural disasters and the ever-present threat of terror-strikes," said Reinertson. "This year's themes focus on taking simple, but potentially life-saving steps to enhance preparedness, including: Get an Emergency Supply Kit; Make a Family Emergency Plan; Be Informed about the different types of emergencies and their appropriate response; and Get Involved in your community's preparedness efforts."
This September marks the fifth annual National Preparedness Month observance, and involved citizens don't have to look far for solid information. "Free preparedness resources are just a click away," said Reinertson. "A good place to start is by downloading our Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness from www.fema.gov/areyouready and there is a wealth of information at www.ready.gov. There is also a wide selection of preparedness resources on the Citizen Corps site, at: www.citizencorps.gov."‘Noble Resolve’ Experiment Tests Emergency-Response Communications
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 – Defense Department agencies as well as state and local emergency-preparedness organizations in Virginia, Oregon, Colorado and Indiana are honing their communication and coordination capabilities as part of the current iteration of the Noble Resolve homeland defense and disaster-response experiment.
Noble Resolve ’08, which began July 28 and ends Aug. 1, is the latest in a series of tests of disaster-preparedness communications and coordination systems sponsored by U.S. Joint Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Va.
Testing information and coordination links among Defense Department organizations, state emergency-response agencies, the National Guard, other first responders such as local fire and police departments, and nongovernmental organizations is a key purpose of Noble Resolve, exercise leader Air Force Col. Gene Taylor told reporters today during a video-teleconference at Joint Forces Command facilities in Suffolk, Va.
“We can’t afford to wait. … The timeliness and robustness of response is too important to leave it to a sort of ‘pickup game’” in the event of natural or man-made disasters, Taylor said.
Elements of U.S. Northern Command, as well as the National Guard Bureau and the Department of Homeland Security, also are participating in Noble Resolve.
This year’s Noble Resolve experiment features disaster scenarios such as massive earthquakes occurring in Indiana and Oregon and a faux Virginia train derailment producing a huge fire, according to a Joint Forces Command news release.
A Noble Resolve fact sheet lists the following areas of emphasis:
-- Overcoming communication barriers;
-- Sharing integrated global maritime intelligence and situational awareness;
-- Improving defenses against weapons of mass destruction threats against the homeland; and
-- Managing population movement in the event of a natural disaster and ensuring long-term sustainment of consequence management forces following a possible chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield-explosive event.
Multinational participation in this iteration of Noble Resolve includes representatives from Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Portugal, South Korea, Romania, Spain and Sweden, as well as NATO Allied Command Transformation.
Noble Resolve is “really about helping joint force commanders operate seamlessly” with its homeland defense partners in the event of natural or man-made disasters, Taylor said.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
ICS-200 Class Openings
City of San Bernardino2 days of ICS-200 are scheduled and confirmed for Monday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 23. The class starts at 1:00 PM on both days and ends at 5:00. They are both being held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the basement of City Hall at 300 N D St. There are about 8 more openings per class. If any one would like to attend, please have them call, Russell Smith at (909) 384-5558 and he will add you to the list.
Ham Radio Certification Class
City of San Bernardino
If you are interested in taking a Ham Radio Certification Class as a group, please email Gary Sturdivan at gsturdivan@eastvalley.org the names by next Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
Disruptive Technologies Conference (September 4-5; Washington, DC) The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Division of the National Defense Industrial Association will convene a forum for government and industry senior leaders to exchange the status of programs that have innovative technology applications possessing disruptive operational capabilities. The leaders will learn of the pressing areas of need and promising technology prospects that will affect air, cyber, ground, sea, space-based, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (see-act-decide) operations. [View event website]
ASTHO-NACCHO Joint Conference (September 9-12; Sacramento, CA) The theme of this year’s Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the National Association of County and City Health Officials conference is “Becoming the Healthiest Nation in a Healthier World.” Members, affiliates, alumni, partners, and the public can learn about the associations’ recent activities and accomplishments, as well as current public health issues, resources, and innovations. Conference features will include skills-building training, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and access to information about available resources. [View event website]
Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference and Expo (October 13-17; Hampton, VA) This event, sponsored by the Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, features over 60 educational workshops and an exhibition area featuring the latest products and technology for the hazardous materials industry. [View event website]
Nothing new on this front. As we mentioned last month, we have begun developing our framework for our "Keeping Our ___ Safe" series. As you know, we have published Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe (which is a manual for the individual and family level) and Keeping Our Chemical Facilities Safe (which is a manual for complying with DHS' vulnerability assessment and site security plan regulations), but they are only part of a larger framework. At the top level, we need a plan for keeping our nation safe, and roles, responsibilities and actions need to be laid out for the country, each state, each county/city, each school, business, and family. So this framework will address what actions and preparations each organization at each level requires in order to be successful. We'd love to get your ideas on what needs to happen at each level and organization. We'll keep you posted, especially as we continue to work on Keeping Our Schools Safe.
We are continuing to do some consulting work with cities and businesses and if we don't have an office in your area, we will either 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 reason 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 team for your project.
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.
See you next month!
Useful Information
CSB Seeks to Expand Investigative Capacity by Recruiting Chemical Incident Investigators in Denver, Colorado
Washington, DC, August 21, 2008 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has
announced that it is seeking to recruit new chemical incident investigators
to work in Denver, Colorado, in an effort to establish the agency's first
regional presence outside of Washington, DC. The agency has announced
multiple vacancies for investigators in Denver, ranging from the GS-11 to
GS-14 grade levels. The investigators are expected to form the core of a
new investigative team based in Denver that will deploy to accident sites
primarily in the Western and Midwestern U.S. The team will be headed by
CSB Supervisory Investigator Don Holmstrom, who led the Board's investigation
of the BP Texas City refinery explosion from 2005-2007, as well as numerous
other significant investigations. Establishing a presence in the western states
potentially will allow the CSB to recruit more effectively, to deploy
investigators more quickly to accident sites, and to maintain important
contacts with stakeholders throughout the country,' said CSB Chairman John
Bresland. 'Expanding into other locations will help us grow our capacity to
investigate more of the serious chemical accidents that occur each year cross
the U.S. Applications for the vacant positions must be received by September
4, 2008, to be considered. For specific information on the requirements for
the positions and application procedures, please visit the Career Opportunities
section at www.csb.gov or the federal government's employment site,
www.usajobs.com .The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial
chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes suchas equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.The FBI, San Diego Field Office, National Security Cyber Squad,
will post a position for a Computer Scientist in the near future. The
Computer Scientist (CS) is responsible for providing technical
support and subject matter expertise to FBI Special Agents and
Intelligence Analysts related to sensitive computer network
intrusions and intelligence matters. While the CS will perform a
variety of duties, his/her primary responsibility is identifying
computer network attacks and data compromise using techniques such as
malware analysis, forensic analysis, log file analysis, large-scale
data analysis (correlation /trending), network traffic analysis, and
the development of tools and /or programs to assist with or automate
the same.The CS will work in a team environment in the production of relevant
written reporting and briefings within the FBI and other U.S. Government
entities. As such, strong written and oral communications skills are
essential. In addition, as a subject matter expert, the CS is expected
to monitor and provide insight into trends in the security community
(vulnerabilities, threats, exploits, changing techniques, risks, etc.).
The position will be at the GS13 or GS14 level with an adjustment for S
an Diego locality pay. The salary grade and step are determined from
the selected candidate's experience and prior employment.Interested candidates must meet the following minimum requirements to apply:
- US Citizen
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance (including polygraph)
- Completion of a four-year course of study at an accredited college or
university (e.g., Bachelor's degree or higher)
- Minimum of 30 semester hours of mathematics, statistics, and computer
scienceOnce posted, the position will be open to applicants for only a short
window of time (usually 10 - 14 days). As such, we encourage you to
forward this information to anyone who may be interested in applying so
that interested candidates can become familiar with the hiring process,
especially the need to apply immediately and completely when the position
is posted. The application process requires submission of a current
resume, official college / university transcripts, and completion of an
online application (to include a set of multiple choice / essay questions
describing the candidate's relevant experience). Interested candidates
are strongly encouraged to visit the FBI Jobs web site (http://www.fbijobs.gov)
to register and review the application process.Additional information about employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation can be found on the following web sites:
1. FBIJobs: www.fbijobs.gov
- Job posting and application web site.
2. Office of Personnel Management: www.opm.gov
- Salary, benefits, and other information related to Government employment
3. FBI: www.fbi.gov
- FBI web siteCandidates who are interested in applying for the position can contact
Computer Scientist Jennifer Kolde (jennifer.kolde@ic.fbi.gov) with any
questions and to be notified via email when the position is officially
posted.The following message is from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board,
Washington, DCCSB Releases New Safety Video 'Blast Wave in Danvers' Depicting Massive Explosion that Shook Boston Suburb in 2006, Illustrates Lack of Safety Systems at Destroyed Ink Plant Comments by Massachusetts State and Local Officials Urge Development of Stronger Fire Codes and Enforcement Washington, DC, August 25, 2008 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a comprehensive safety video on the massive explosionwhich shook Danvers, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, on November 22, 2006.
The video, entitled 'Blast Wave in Danvers,' is based on an 18-month CSB investigation into the accident at the CAI ink manufacturing facility, completed in May 2008. It is available for viewing and downloading at the Video Room of the CSB's website, www.safetyvideos.gov, as well as on the CSB channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/uscsb). DVDs can be requested free of charge at www.safetyvideos.gov.
The video features a computer-generated 3-D animation graphically depicting the sequence of events leading to the explosion and the subsequent blast wave that rolled over the Danversport residential area, destroying dozens of homes and businesses and causing extensive damage to many more. The animation shows how the blast blew entire window frames into the bedrooms of sleeping residents, who comment on the experience in the video. Remarkably, only a handful of residents were injured, none seriously.
'The safety video clearly illustrates how the lack of checklists, automatic shutoff systems, process controls, and hazard analyses can lead to a catastrophic chemical accident,' said CSB Chairman John Bresland. 'Together with the Massachusetts state and local officials and residents who appeared in the video, we share the hope that this accident and the resulting investigations will pave the way for improved public safety in the future.
The CSB found, and the video shows, how a critical steam valve used to control the temperature of a 2,000-gallon batch of flammable solvents inside an ink-making process vessel was likely left open inadvertently by a CAI production supervisor. The solvents boiled and flammable vapor escaped from the unsealed process vessel into the facility, which was not ventilated at night when the building was unoccupied. During the overnight hours, hundreds of pounds of flammable vapor were released into the building, eventually reaching an ignition source at 2:46 a.m. on the morning of November 22.
'We hope this video will encourage other communities, officials, and local emergency planning committees to improve awareness of industrial hazards, review the effectiveness of codes and inspections, and minimize the potential for future disasters involving flammable materials close to residential neighborhoods,' Chairman Bresland said.
The 20-minute video expands on a previous version which was shown at a CSB public meeting on May 13, 2008, in Danvers. The new video includes interviews and commentary from James Tutko, Danvers Fire Chief; Wayne Marquis, Danvers Town Manager; Stephen Coan, the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal; State Representative Theodore Speliotis; Michael Powers, member of the Danvers Board of Selectmen; Kenneth Willette, Concord Fire Chief and former president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts; and numerous Danvers residents including Susan Tropeano, a current member of the Danvers Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), whose house was damaged in the blast.
The video also includes commentary by CSB Board Member William E. Wright and CSB investigators who conducted the 18-month probe, discussing the CSB's findings and recommendations. More information on the CSB investigation of the explosion at CAI Inc. can be found at CSB.gov in the 'Completed Investigations' section.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.
The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Visit our website at www.csb.gov.
For more information, contact Hillary Cohen at (202) 261-3601 / (202) 446-8094 cell.
All-Hazard Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (interim)
Please find thelink below for the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (interim): Producing Emergency Plans: A Guide for All-Hazard Operations Planning for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/divisions/npd/cpg_101_interim.pdf
Heating Up Emergency PreparednessRelease Date: August 15, 2008
Release Number: R10-08-117
SEATTLE, Wash. -- It's hot, and the National Weather Service has issued Excessive Heat Warnings for most of inland Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon, and Air Stagnation Advisories remain in effect through much of this weekend. Even Western Washington is projected to experience record or near-record highs, and emergency managers recommend that families and businesses revisit their disaster preparedness plans with hot weather in mind. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Susan Reinertson, adjusting disaster plans and refreshing emergency kits to reflect seasonal hazards is always a good idea - particularly when unexpected conditions surface.
"With the west coast projected for the high nineties, and inland temperatures hitting triple digits, special precautions make sense," said Reinertson. "Young children, the elderly, and people with health problems can be more vulnerable to heat sickness than others, but it is important for everyone to be prepared for heat emergencies."
Heat waves trigger three main heat emergencies: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke or "sunstroke."
- Heat Cramps are muscular pains and spasms from heavy exertion. They often involve the abdominal muscles or legs. To treat heat cramps, get the person to a cooler place and rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give the person a half glass of cool water every fifteen minutes.
- Heat Exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. The skin will be cool and moist, and could appear to be either pale or flushed. The victim may have a headache and/or be suffering from nausea. There may also be some dizziness. Prompt treatment can prevent the condition from intensifying to heat stroke.
- Heat stroke is the most serious heat emergency and is life threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Warning signs include: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. Skin may be wet following heavy work or exercise from perspiration; otherwise, it will feel dry.
A person suffering from heat stroke needs help fast. Call 911 and move them to a cooler place immediately. Immerse heat stroke victims in a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
To stay in top form when facing the stress of a natural disaster during hot weather spells:
- Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect away some of the sun's energy.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which actually dehydrates the body.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
- Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
