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PO Box 6873 - Alexandria, VA 22306 - (951) 764-3626
http://www.oursafetowns.com/Community Safety/Security eNewsletter * January 2010
My most heartfelt apologies for my tardiness on the January newsletter. Between blizzards, the holidays, and adeath in the family, things just got away from me. Thanks for your patience and I hope this month's newsletter
provides you with a lot of useful information!
Well, this month we've had earthquakes in Haiti, fallout from the shoe bomber over the holidays, floods in SoCal and a blizzard here in the National Capital Region. Hopefully, you guys have been reading our newsletter and following the monthly safety tips so you were ready when they hit. :) I had a meeting early this week with Mick Kicklighter of George Mason University's Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (http://cip.gmu.edu/). They do some good work there, and I hope to be working with them on some good projects coming up here pretty soon.
Some good information this newsletter. DHS came out with their first Quadrennial Homeland Security Report (DOD came out with their Quadrennial Defense Report as well), there have been some improvements to aviation security, and Alaska has tested their emergency alert system. Some good reports and white papers for those of you who like to keep up on the latest theory as well as the practice (check out the article from STRATFOR), and some great events coming up. I'm planning to attend the Infragard drill in San Diego later this month, so if you're there, I look forward to seeing you.
Stay safe, and we'll see you next month!
-Stephen
Stephen is taking care of the editing until we can find a new editor. If any of you are interested, please contact him at: stephen.melvin@oursafetowns.com.
Spy Agencies Failed to Collate Clues on Terror
By MARK MAZZETTI and ERIC LIPTON
Published: December 30, 2009
WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency four months ago intercepted conversations among leaders of Al Qaeda in Yemen discussing a plot to use a Nigerian man for a coming terrorist attack, but American spy agencies later failed to combine the intercepts with other information that might have disrupted last week’s attempted airline bombing.
To read more, click here.
FEMA ANNOUNCES $200M In EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM Awards For 2010
News Release
December 31, 2009
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal funds totaling $200 million has been awarded to assist organizations across the country in their efforts to provide emergency food and shelter to families and individuals in need. EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.
These funds are in addition to $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, announced in April 2009. In total, the $100 million will provide over 47.7 million meals, over 3 million nights of lodging, over 75,000 rent/mortgage payments, and over 164,000 utility payments nationwide. For more information click here.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Expresses His Views on Disaster Management
Click here to view a video of the Washington Post "On Leadership" series interview with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, posted on Washington Post.com.
FEMA Administrator Fugate Addresses Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium
REDMOND, Wash. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate addressed the 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium today at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Fugate stressed the vital role that the private sector and most important the general public play in the preparedness of our nation's emergency response team.
"The private sector is one of the most important members of our nation's emergency response team," said Fugate. "Today's event provided an opportunity to discuss the private sector's invaluable role in preparing and educating the public. A key element of strengthening our nation's emergency response team is engaging our partners in what they do best, and embracing the private sector's abilities both before and after disaster strikes will go a long way towards making our nation more resilient." Read more.
Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Report
The Department of Homeland Security delivered the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) Report to Congress on February 1, 2010. The QHSR outlines the strategic framework to guide the activities of participants in homeland security toward a common end.
The QHSR is the beginning of a multi-step process. It offers a vision for a secure homeland, specifies key mission priorities, outlines goals for each of those mission areas, and lays the necessary groundwork for the subsequent steps. The next step, which is currently underway, is a bottom-up review of the Department which will align the programmatic activities and organizational structure of the Department with the strategic framework set out in the QHSR. The third and final step of this process will culminate in the Department's fiscal year 2012 budget submission.
View the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) Report to Congress here (PDF, 108 pages - 949 KB)
Read the executive summary of the report here. (PDF, 4 pages - 57 KB)
For more information, click here.
Our Planet, Our Stuff, Our Choice Video Contest
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring the Our Planet, Our Stuff, Our Choice video contest:
Create a video to raise awareness of the connection between the environment and the "stuff" people use, consume, recycle, and throw away. Submit entries on or before February 16, 2010 for a chance to win cash prizes. Learn more at http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/video.htm.
Enhancing Aviation Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has posted two entries in DHS' Leadership Journal regarding Aviation Security. To view them, click here.
USA.gov State Government Update
Two new links have been added to the State and Territorial Resources box on USA.gov's State Government
http://service.govdelivery.com/service/view.html?code=USAGOV_163
State of the State Speeches 2010
Early in the year, most state governors unveil their priorities in state of the state addresses.
http://www.stateline.org/live/static/State_of_the_state_speeches
President's 2010 Budget and State-by-State Fact Sheets
Find out how the President's 2010 budget will affect your state.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fy2010_factsheets_states/
Integrated Physical Security Handbook Released
The Integrated Physical Security Handbook is a manual for commercial and government building and facility security managers who are responsible for developing their security plans based on estimated risks and threats -- natural or terrorist. It sets out how to manage change and how to conduct crucial threat and risk assessments, the
basis for all integrated physical security planning.
Then, using checklists and standard practices, it provides a hands-on, how-to guide that leads you in a user-friendly way through all the steps and processes needed to evaluate, design and implement an effective integrated physical security system.
This book was produced under the leadership of the Homeland Defense Journal and written by a team of nationally recognized A&E and security experts.
For additional details and to order through our secure server, go to www.physicalsecurityhandbook.com.
An All Hazards Training Center for a Catastrophic Emergency
By Colonel Xavier Stewart, STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE, UNITED STATES ARMY WAR COLLEGE
Since assuming command in 1998 of the first Civil Support Team (CST) Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Colonel Stewart witnessed and experienced dramatic changes in homeland security theory, policy, and practice. The most significant changes have occurred since the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, which violently demonstrated how turbulent today’s world strategic environment is. Widely available chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high yield explosive, and cyberspace security materials, technologies, and equipment often have dual uses. Preventing rogue states and terrorist organizations from acquiring these materials is a necessary but formidable challenge. Additionally, the cyber domain has grown tremendously and may be used to target key infrastructure and resources. In addition to these threats, dramatic weather changes have caused unusual and devastating shifts in weather patterns, which in turn have triggered catastrophic events. The establishment of All-Hazard Training Centers in the 10 Federal Emergency Management Agency regions to train civil support team weapons of mass destruction emergency responders for chemical, biological radiological, nuclear, explosive, and cyberspace events or natural catastrophes are becoming a necessity in light of these threats. Download the paper here.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent Events
6 Jan 2010: FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERS TEST NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM IN ALASKA
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the State of Alaska, and the Alaska Broadcasters' Association will conduct a statewide exercise of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in Alaska on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at 10 am local time (2 pm ET). Radio and television broadcast stations and cable television systems across the State of Alaska will participate in the exercise aimed at testing the capabilities of the EAS system. For more information, please visithttp://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50157.
13 Jan 2010: Earthquake in Haiti
If you are seeking information about an American family member who may have been in Haiti during the January 12 earthquake, call the State Department Operations Center at 1-888-407-4747.Upcoming Events
11 Feb 2010: National Improvised Explosives Training Opportunity on 02/11/10 in San Bernardino, CA
From Erika Foxworth (San Diego Infragard):
Dear InfraGard Members,
Attached (SRM-I have the invite if anyone needs it.) please find an invitation from Los Angeles FBI Division to attend a National Improvised Explosives Familiarization Seminar on Thursday, 02/11/10 from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The training will be held at the Sheriff's Training Facility, 18000 Institution Road, San Bernardino, CA 92402.
Approximately 16 seats are still available and reservations are required. If interested, please contact James Peaco, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator, FBI, Los Angeles, at (310) 261-9118 or James.Peaco@ic.fbi.gov to RSVP.
And if you can't make the bomb training: 11 Feb 2010: Free DHS Webinar
1:00-2:00 p.m. (EST)
Infrastructure Protection for the 21st Century: Making effective use of visualization technology
Presenter: Mike Clements, Branch Chief, Operations Support Branch, Infrastructure Information Collection Division, DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP)
One of the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection goals is to be a source for CIKR data and to enable the sharing of this information with federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector partners during steady-state and incident response activities. IP has made great strides in its efforts to accomplish this goal, but data alone, often does not provide enough context to make use of that information or to enable decision-making. This presentation will provide an overview of the ways that IP provides context to infrastructure data through the use of Geographic Information Systems, geospatial products, and remote sensing data acquisition. The presentation will also address geospatial products and services that are available to federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector partners during both steady state and incident response situations.
To register for this Webinar please go to: https://connect.hsin.gov/visual/event/registration.html.
19 Feb 2010: Operation Medusa 2010 (anti-terrorism tabletop exercise)
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
What: “Operation Medusa 2010” is an anti-terrorism tabletop exercise designed and sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of InfraGard in concert with law enforcement, security professionals, the military and emergency response agencies at all levels throughout San Diego County. It is designed for participation by the lay practitioner with support from numerous emergency response organizations.
Where: The FBI Annex Building, Main Conference Room, 9737 Aero Drive, San Diego
Cost: Ten dollars ($10) per attendee to cover lunch and materials. A continental breakfast will be provided by InfraGard at no additional cost. Cash or checks only will be accepted.
“Operation Medusa 2010” T-shirt cost: $10 each (optional).
Who should attend: SEATING AVAILABILITY WILL BE STRICTLY LIMITED.
Priority admission will be granted to General Managers and Security Directors from the hotel/motel industry, Casino management, Convention Services management, Corporate Security managers and directors, law enforcement/first responders, and designated U.S. Military personnel. Due to the highly sensitive nature of the subject matter and to ensure a protected environment for open discussion, everyone who attends must either be vetted by InfraGard or hold current active duty law enforcement, fire, medical, or U.S. Military credentials to participate.
The FBI InfraGard vetting process is simple and straightforward. Visit the InfraGard website at: http://www.infragard.net/. Complete the InfraGard application on-line; print it and sign your name (original signature required). Mail it to the address provided. It takes a few weeks lead time to process your application, so please submit it in a timely manner. Please print “OPERATION MEDUSA 2010” at the top of your application. Let FBI Special Agent Erika Foxworth know that you have submitted an application; she will track and help expedite its processing: Erika.foxworth@ic.fbi.gov.
Why attend? Regardless of your InfraGard Sector affiliation or your occupation, you have a personal stake in the desired outcomes of this exercise. Your input is invaluable! You do not have to be directly involved in the security industry or the hotel industry to participate. Often the best ideas come from those who are not “too close” to the subject.
RSVP required: You must register and confirm your attendance no later than
February 5, 2010, to Melanie.Nauman@ic.fbi.gov.
Please direct any questions to:
Dave Dalton, Exercise Coordinator, at ddalton@sdnhm.org (or)
SA Erika Foxworth, FBI InfraGard Coordinator, at Erika.foxworth@ic.fbi.gov
22 Feb 2010: Operation Medusa 2010 (anti-terrorism tabletop exercise)
2:00-3:00 p.m. (EST)
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS): An Update
Presenter: Sue Armstrong, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection
Ms. Armstrong will provide an activity and implementation update under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. To date, over 6,000 facilities have been deemed high-risk. As a result, IP's Infrastructure Security Compliance Division continues to develop tools and provide compliance assistance as the subject facilities enhance security measures to meet their regulatory obligations.
To register for this Webinar please go to: https://connect.hsin.gov/visual/event/registration.html.
10-13 May 2010: NASTTPO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Courtesy of Tim Gablehouse, NASTTPO President (303) 572-0050
SAVE THE DATE: NASTTPO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MAY 10-13, 2010
The Cliffs
2757 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach, CA 93449
www.cliffsresort.com 800.826.7827
The group name is "NASTTPO" and the room rate is $84.
That rate is available the weekend before the conference begins.
Registration will be $385 - the agenda will follow.
I hope to see you all there - it will be a great conference!
23-25 Aug 2010: 4th Annual HAZUS Conference
The HAZUS Conference provides a unique opportunity for users of all levels in a wide variety of professions (e.g., first responders, local government decision makers, planners, GIS specialists) to share expertise and experience in the development and use of HAZUS-MH.
Downtown Indianapolis
Click here for more information: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_trngconf.shtm
We've recently begun discussions with George Mason University's Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (http://cip.gmu.edu/) to look into teaming on projects or working together to make the country safer.
Stephen has recently been told that a colleague from the military who is a cyber-security expert is looking for employment following his retirement. If you are interested, please give us a shout.
Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe can be purchased through Amazon.com here.
Paperback copies of Keeping Our Chemical Facilities Safe can be purchased through Amazon.com here.
Hardback copies will need to be purchased direct from SRM Associates; contact us for more information.
We are still working on links for the audio version of Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe, the e-book of Mantiendo Nuestras Vecindades a Salvo, How to C.O.P.E. With Terrorism, and future titles.
We are also still working on electronic versions of our books. Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated.
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!
International Travel
With the earthquake in Haiti, many people are thinking about their international travel plans (DOD had to evacuate a number of US Citizens from Haiti.) If you are traveling internationally, make sure you check out the US Department of State Travel information page here.
Private Sector Preparedness Tips of the week from FEMA:
12/28/2009
Businesses damaged or destroyed by disasters can prepare their tax documents using the IRS Disaster Losses Tool kit. Download the toolkit today: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194b.pdf
1/4/10
Place a weather radio or television in an accessible place for employees to readily monitor severe weather conditions. View active weather alerts at http://www.noaa.gov/.
1/11/10
Participate in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to support community and business preparedness efforts. For more information, visit: https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
2/1/2009
Develop and practice for emergencies at work with employees by reviewing your office emergency plan. http://www.ready.gov/business/plan/emerplanning.html