Stephen
Many of you will already be out on vacation, but I wanted to get this
out for those who are not - hopefully the New Years safety tips will be
useful.
2008 was a big year for us. I was activated to the Navy Yard and
then the Pentagon so we moved across the country. We were still
able to take care of a few clients to include a HazMat Transportation
Response Plan and a follow up to a HazMat Commodity Study, a chemical
facility vulnerability assessment, and training for all critical
persons at a major municipality on their updated Emergency Response
Plan. Major disasters included wildfires, a major water line
break (as of today), winter storm in the Northeast, an economic crisis,
and not a few hurricanes. And that's just the US. What will
2009 bring? Only time will tell, but many analysts have predicted
a major terrorist attack after the inauguration. That plus
natural disasters should take up quite a bit of our time.
I recently finished a book called Our Own Worst Enemy by Randall J.
Larsen. One of the major points it makes is that decision
makers
in Washington (and states, and municipalities) are asking the wrong
questions about homeland security. For example, our leaders are
asking how we can scan every container coming into our ports for
nuclear weapons without asking the questions, "Would a terrorist bring
a nuclear weapon in through a port?" or "Would it do any good if they
found a nuclear weapon in a container at one off our ports?" The
result is wasted dollars, and damage to our economy far in excess of
what any terrorist could do on their own. He also emphasizes the
necessity that each of us be a part of the homeland security complex by
readying our own families and neighborhoods. As you know, we've
been preaching that for a few years ourselves - Keeping Our
Neighborhoods Safe is practically a testament to it, as our vaccine to
the terrorism virus.
This month we've got breaking news, more upcoming events, and an update
on NIMS. In 2009, each of you needs to help be the guardian of
our homeland security by encouraging your representatives and senators
to ask the right questions. Each of you is an important part of
this fight, and I'll ask you to keep that in mind as we move forward
this year. God Bless and Stay Safe. Thank you for all you
do!
-Stephen
DHS Announces Revised
National Incident Management System
WASHINGTON--The
U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) today released a revised National Incident
Management System (NIMS)-the national standard for incident
management. NIMS establishes standardized incident management
processes, protocols, and procedures that all federal, state, tribal
and local responders will use to coordinate and conduct response
actions.
NIMS expands on the original version released in March 2004 by
clarifying existing NIMS concepts, better incorporating preparedness
and planning and improving the overall readability of the document. The
revised document also differentiates between the purposes of NIMS and
the National Response Framework (NRF) by identifying how NIMS provides
the action template for the management of incidents, while the NRF
provides the policy structure and mechanisms for national-level policy
for incident management.
"The National Incident Management System has been the single most
significant improvement in incident management since the Department of
Homeland Security was formed in 2003," FEMA Administrator David
Paulison said. "It has enhanced interoperability among emergency
responders at all levels of government and is the product of a
collaborative effort involving hundreds of emergency personnel from
across the nation. We incorporated lessons learned from Hurricane
Katrina, clarified incident command system concepts, increased emphasis
on planning and mutual aid, expanded the intelligence/investigation
function, and better aligned the NIMS document with the National
Response Framework," said Paulison.
With the oversight of FEMA, the newly released NIMS followed an
extensive revision involving over 100 partners from all levels of
government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and
subject matter experts representing a broad spectrum of emergency
management and incident response disciplines. Throughout three
official nationwide comment periods, FEMA reviewed nearly 6,000
comments from more than 280 individuals and organizations, including
extensive review and recommendations made by the National Advisory
Council (NAC).
The basic tenets of NIMS remain the same. There have been several
improvements to the revised NIMS document which will aid in readability
and usefulness of preparing, preventing, and responding to
incidents. For example, the revised document places greater
emphasis on the role of preparedness and has reorganized its components
to mirror the progression of an incident. Recognizing the
importance of private sector partners and NGOs in incident response,
FEMA has ensured that those entities have been more fully integrated
throughout NIMS. The new document is consistent with the NRF, and
together they provide a single, comprehensive approach to incident
management.
Further information on NIMS is available at the NIMS Resource Center at
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/.
FEMA: Two new
Independent Study courses have been released.
IS-805 Emergency
Support Function (ESF) #5: Emergency Management
IS-814 Emergency
Support Function (ESF) #14: Long Term Community Recovery
CSB News Release:
In
his First Video Safety Message, CSB Chairman John Bresland Calls for
Industry to Remain Focused on Process Safety, Accident Prevention
During Recession
For more information, go to: View Safety Message
on YouTube
Washington, DC, December 22, 2008 - In his first video safety message,
CSB Chairman John Bresland today said that chemical companies and
refineries need to continue to invest in process safety and preventive
maintenance, even as the economic downturn cuts into sales and profits.
more...
DHS has released a new Risk Lexicon:
The DHS Risk
Lexicon supports the Integrated Risk
Management Framework by defining a single language for DHS risk
management. Clear and unambiguous communication amongst risk
practitioners, decision makers, and homeland security stakeholders is a
key aspect the Departments integrated risk management capability. The
DHS Risk Lexicon represents a significant step forward by making
available an official set of definitions for risk-related terms for the
Department.
Washington, DC: DHS Risk Steering Committee, September 2008, 59
pages. It can be accessed at:
http://www.hlswatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/
dhs_risk_lexicon_report_final.pdf
Recent
Events
National Committee on
Levee Safety:
The National Committee on Levee Safety hosted a Web Ex open to the
public on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm EST, called "Exploring the Need for a National Levee
Safety Program."
Millions of American citizens live behind levees. During
flooding, these levees reduce the risk to people and their property,
but they do not eliminate it. In many cases, levees have resulted
in increased and expanded development in the floodplain area behind
levees and thus increased risks. Additionally, many of these
levees are aging, need maintenance and may not have been constructed
using modern engineering techniques. Recognizing the risk to the
public, Congress directed a committee on levee safety to "develop
recommendations for a national levee safety program, including a
strategic plan for implementation of the program."
The committee, chaired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is
composed of the following representatives: 1 from FEMA; 8 state
representatives; 2 local representatives; 2 tribal Representatives; and
2 private sector representatives who have been chosen for their
respective expertise in levee safety and floodplain management.
The committee is working in response to Title IX of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 and will provide a report to Congress in
January 2009. The Web Ex included a discussion of the need
for and importance of such a program, some of the insights the group
has gained over the past few months, and some key recommendations that
will be included in the report. There was a question and answer
opportunity during the call.
While there is no record or detailed transcript of the session, the
slides and some of the questions asked can be found here: http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ncls/reviews.cfm.
Department of Homeland Security Webinar:
An invitation was sent to the San Diego InfraGard Chapter members to
attend a webinar on December 10th entitled Critical
Infrastructure Protection Mission and Vision: A Shared Responsibility
for Now and the Future, presented by Robert B. Stephan,
Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Department of
Homeland Security.
While the webinar transcript and/or audio is not available online, this
is a good reminder that being involved in your local Infragard chapter
pays dividends in information sharing.
Upcoming
Events
<>California
Office Of Emergency Services Call rescheduled to January
The CalARP Conference Call that California OES had scheduled for
December 2 has been rescheduled to January 12, 2009 from 10:00-12:00
PST. (For those outside of California, CalARP is the California
Accidental Release Prevention Program - California's slightly more
restrictive version of the EPA's Risk Management Program.) The
reason for the reschedule is that OES now has a full set of Table 3
toxic endpoints, but we are unsure that we can get OEHHA Executive
approval on the data by Dec. 2. Kudos to Dr Shelley DuTeaux and
Dr Robert Blaisdell for this massive undertaking.
For more information, contact:
Jack Harrah
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
(916)845-8759
jack_harrah@oes.ca.gov
Texas
12th Annual Local Emergency Planning Committee Conference
Region 6 is conducting the 12th Annual Local Emergency Planning
Committee Conference Hosted by the Corpus Christi/Nueces County LEPC
January 12 - 14, 2009. To register online, go to: http://www.hotzone.org/lepc/index.htm
REMINDER:
The deadline for reserving a hotel room at the $ 85.00 rate is
01/01/09... Please ensure you make your reservations on time.
If you have questions concerning the conference, you may call or email:
Angie Mills 469-374-7717 / 972-977-3408
angie.rochen@westonsolutions.com
Mari Cuevas 361-826-3960
marim@cctexas.com
2009 could be a banner year for safety
and security. Or it could be a disaster. Take advantage of
the turn of the year to keep your facility, business, and/or community
safe and secure.
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!
From NASTTPO Hazardous Materials Preparedness Group
In April 2008 the National Association of SARA Title III Program
Officials (NASTTPO) invited LEPCs to participate in a survey that
addressed their recent activities, how they have changed since 9/11,
plan contents, coordination with other local preparedness groups and
Federal agencies, and what contributes to the LEPC's success. The 2008
LEPC Survey Report is now available at www.epa.gov/emergencies.
FEMA's HAZUS-MH Training Program
Applications are now being accepted for FEMA's HAZUS-MH
training program. Classroom instruction is offered at the Emergency
Management Institute http://www.training.fema.gov
for state and local officials.
2009 HAZUS
Course Schedule:
E170 HAZUS-MH for
Hurricanes Feb 2-5
E172 HAZUS-MH for
Flood
Jan 12-15; Jul 27-30
E174 HAZUS-MH for
Earthquake Apr 27-30
E179 Application of HAZUS-MH for Disaster
Operations Apr 20-23
E190 Introduction to
ArcGIS Feb 23-26
E296 HAZUS-MH / DMA 2000 Risk Management Aug 3-6
E313 Basic
HAZUS-MH
Apr 6-9; Jul 13-16
E317 Comprehensive Data Management Mar 16-19;
Sep 14-17
Have a
happy - and safe - new year! (a 2007 article still applicable today!)
From Consumer Reports.Org
While staying safe on
the road must
be a high priority for New Year's Eve revelers, it's certainly not
the only safety issue that you may confront as you ring in 2007.
However, with a little care and foresight, you can protect yourself
from some of the more common New Year's risks. Follow the tips below,
and your biggest challenge on New Year's Eve may be remembering all the
words to "Auld Lang Syne."
Champagne
Corks - You can avoid eye
injuries — and broken windows — if you follow the advice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and
remember the number 45. That is, you should chill your champagne to at
least 45°F, as this will make the cork less likely to pop out
unexpectedly, and you should hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle,
pointing it away from yourself and others. Then, after removing the
wire hood, place a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
With the bottle in one hand, slowly twist the cork, applying gentle
upward pressure. When you feel the cork about to pop out, reverse
pressure to a slight downward tilt. If all goes well, you'll have a
cork in one hand, a full bottle in the other, and no injuries in sight.
Fireworks - When
it comes to
explosives, follow the same rules on New Year's Eve that you would any
other time of the year: Leave it to the experts. The best way to enjoy
fireworks is to watch a public exhibition from a safe distance. If you
feel you must light your own fireworks, make sure to follow local laws
(several states, including New York and New Jersey have a total ban on
private use of fireworks), check for recalls and never allow children
to handle or light any kind of fireworks — including sparklers. You can
find some more tips on fireworks
safety here.
Crowds - On
New Year's Eve 1993, 21
people were
trampled to death as a celebration on cramped, rain-soaked streets
in Hong Kong turned into a melee. While such incidents aren't the norm,
you can avoid injuries by following the instructions of local officials
and avoiding alcohol (some popular destinations, including New York's
Times Square, ban alcohol on New Year's Eve). Also, remember that
there's safety in numbers. When going to a large public event, plan to
travel with friends and stick with them. You should also check weather
forecasts and dress accordingly — and consider staying away if
conditions are poor. While government officials have periodically
issued warnings about terrorism threats related to New Year's Eve, they
expect no such issues this year. Officials "don't see a particular
threat" related to New Year's Eve, said White House homeland security
advisor Frances Fragos Townsend.
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