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PO Box 6873 - Alexandria, VA 22306 - (951) 764-3626
http://www.oursafetowns.com/Community Safety/Security e Newsletter * July 2010
Thanks for your continued support as we work to bring you important information on safety and security for your business, community, and family. This month marks the birthday of the US, and we'll be celebrating all over the nation. Lacey has given us several tips to keep us safe as we celebrate whether we celebrate with fireworks, picnics, water parks, or other ways. (Note that fireworks may not be legal in your area, and it is illegal to buy them in an area where they are legal and use them in another area that is not legal.) Stay safe and we'll see you next month!
-Stephen
Hello again from Lacey. This month, much like last, the majority of chemical security news follows the on going BP Oil Spill in the gulf. In spite of that, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, eat good food, and finish the night with a colorful fireworks displays. While fireworks and sparklers make this National Holiday special for Americans of all ages, it is important to remember that they are also a major fire hazard. Be aware of stray sparks and keep a bucket of water around for sparklers to be discarded in. For a full list of Fireworks Safety tips read more at the National Council of Firework Safety. Summer is a great time for visits to water parks, the beach, or just to take a walk around your local park, but the heat also brings about potential health risks. Please take care of yourself and loved ones and stay cool and hydrated. Our events schedule continues to be very busy, so please keep an eye on whats coming up. If you have any news, events, or topics you would like us to cover in future newsletters, please send your comments to me via lacey.whitaker@oursafetowns.com.
In more personal news, in ten-days I will be traveling to the United Kingdom to study International Relations, and I look forward to writing August's Newsletter from beautiful Oxford University.
Stay Safe, and have a Great Summer!
Lacey Whitaker
S 3538 Introduced – Chemical Facility Security News Blog
30 June, 2010
The bill would establish within the Department of Defense a National Cyber Center. While the center would receive administrative and logistical support from DOD, the Director would report directly to the President and would not be part of the Executive Office of the President. This would make the Center very nearly a Cabinet level agency. Read more.
Day 71: The Latest on the Oil Spill – New York Times
30 June, 2010
Latest updates :
- The E.P.A. Concluded their first round of tests on Corexit, a potential oil dispersant, the results conclude that the toxicity ranges from “practically non-toxic to slightly toxic”. Paul Anastas, the agency’s assistant administrator for research and development, cautioned that more testing was needed to study how toxic the dispersant is when mixed with oil.
- Government scientists are doing in depth research to discover how the currents will carry oil around the tip of Florida and up the North-Atlantic coast.
- The United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that it was working with partners to anticipate and minimize the impact of the spill on the millions of waterfowl and other birds that will migrate to wintering and stopover habitats along the Gulf Coast.
An interactive map tracking the spill and where it has made landfall, live video of the leak, a guide to online spill resources and additional updates: nytimes.com/national.
Chemical Plants Must Screen One Million People for Possible Terrorist Links – Government Security News (GSN)
13 April, 2010
DHS has issued details of its plan to require more than one million employees, contractors and unescorted visitors to “high-risk” chemical facilities across the U.S. to submit their background data, so it can be checked by TSA against the federal government’s consolidated Terrorist Screening Database. Read More.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent Events
15 – 16 June 2010: Principles of Detection and Diagnosis – Strategies and Technologies and Principles of national Incident Management System
More information for Principles of Detection and Diagnosis – Strategies and Technologies
More Information for Principles of national Incident Management System.
16-17 June 2010: 4th Annual HAZUS Conference
The USEPA is putting together the Water Laboratory Alliance Security Summit – West Coast in June 16 and 17, 2010 in San Francisco. This is a great summit looking into a very important resource. More information can be found at the following web address:
https://www.thetestportal.com/wlasummit
25 June 2010 InfraGard quarterly meeting
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
FBI Annex
9737 Aero Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
Topics of discussion will include Crisis Management Preparedness and Business Continuity. The agenda is forthcoming.
Please RSVP to Melanie Nauman (Melanie.nauman@ic.fbi.gov)
Upcoming Events
7 – 8 July 2010 Chemical Sector Security Summit
Hilton Baltimore
401 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Md. 21201The annual Chemical Sector Security Summit provides a forum for attendees to exchange information and network with other security professionals. The event also allows participants the opportunity to ask specific questions about the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) as well as gain insight into the role of different agencies and departments involved in chemical security.
21 July, 2010 Anti-Terrorism Training for First Responders & Private Sector Security Officers
Hosted by PSTRG & the OC Intelligence Assessment Center
8:00-12:30 – Incident response to Terrorist Bombings – Operations Per 230
13:00-17:00 – Prevention of and response to Suicide Bombing Incidents Per 231
Registration: Heather Houston, 714-628-3037, heather.houston@ociac.org
Training Location: Sheriff’s Training Academy, 15991 Armstrong Ave, Tustin, 92782
Cost: All training and course materials for this 1 day training course are provided free of charge23-25 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
14 – 15 September 2010: Principles of Front Line Response to Agro-Terrorism and Food Systems' Disasters and Principles of Planning and Implementing Recovery.
Tuesday, September 14: "Principles of Front line Response to Agro-terrorism and Food Systems' Disasters"
Wednesday, September 15: "Principles of Planning and Implementing Recovery"Please take a moment, now, to reserve your place for the remaining four courses of the Agro-Terrorism training series, presented by the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS), University of California, Davis in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and co-sponsored by Infragard San Diego Member's Alliance [an FBI-Affiliated
501(c)3 Corporation].Information for Principles of Front line response to Agro-Terrorism and Food Systems' Disasters.
Information for: Principles of Planning and Implementing Recovery.
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.
Yet another colleague is looking for employment – this one is a former fire marshal for a town of over 50,000 people. Please give me a holler if you hear of anything that might interest him.
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!
Earth Quake Risks and Information
Get up to date Earthquake information at United States Geological Survey
Earthquake Publications and Tools
FEMA offers a variety of earthquake-related information resources. In addition to the content provided on its earthquake web pages, these resources range from reports, handbooks, guides, and manuals to posters, software, web-based tools, and instructional materials. Get a full list of Publications.
September is National Preparedness Month (NPM).
NPM is sponsored by FEMA's Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Advertising Council and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.
September 2010 marks the seventh annual NPM.
This year will focus on encouraging Americans to work together to take concrete actions toward emergency preparedness. We are encouraging all Americans to join the readiness team and truly help themselves, their neighbors, and their communities be Ready. Please consider joining the NPM Coalition! Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations for free. By joining the Coalition your organization would agree to promote emergency preparedness during the month of September. Once you register you will receive access to the NPM Web site where you can find a toolkit that includes templates, resources and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness. You will also find an NPM calendar where you can post your events and see what other organizations are doing in your community. In addition, can share your success stories and read about the successes of others.
FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week
Tip of the Week 06/28/10: Update your business's emergency plan to prepare for extended power loss due to disasters. www.ready.gov/business/protect/utilities.html.
Tip of the Week 06/21/10: Create and practice your organization’s shelter in place plan with employees to prepare for tornadoes. www.ready.gov/business/plan/shelterplan.html.
Tip of the Week 06/14/10: Learn about DHS Student Opportunities such as fellowships, internships and scholarships.www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/content_multi_image_0011.shtm
Tip of the Week 06/07/10: Develop interactive lesson plans for young students regarding hurricane preparedness using the Ready Classroom tools. readyclassroom.discoveryeducation.com/#/condition/4.
Tip of the Week 05/31/10: Add social media tools to your emergency communications plan to use a variety of outlets to communicate with your employees. www.ready.gov/business/plan/emerplanning.html