Gas Leak Hazards
(Source: Fire Engineering)
The recent deadly gas pipeline explosion in Allentown (PA) and destructive detonation in Minneapolis (MN), followed the high-pressure gas line blast in San Bruno (CA), which killed eight and destroyed dozens of homes six months earlier. These events reinforced the inherent dangers associated with natural gas line wear, aging, leaks, ruptures, and other damage.
T he Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned from a Fire Engineering article that the 15 Points of Fireground Size-Up can provide essential information to make better decisions for safe and efficient fire extinguishment. However, at a gas pipeline emergency, the author of this article proposes several additional questions (at page 2) to be answered before incident mitigation decisions and execution.
Answers to these questions combined with basic knowledge of the properties and hazards of natural gas (e.g., accumulation, ignition sources, static electricity, etc.) will help the incident commander make intelligent decisions, ask the right questions of utility workers on scene, save lives at risk, and protect against lawsuits resulting from injuries or property damage. The author recommends that training officers include this information in regularly scheduled drills. Furthermore, utility companies should conduct drills and a guided walk-through of its facilities and provide training on pipeline emergencies.
Animal Liberation Front Ecoterrorism
(Sources: FBI and Homeland1 News)
The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) is a decentralized, non-membership based animal-rights activist group. Its website explains that the ALF credo is to “carry out direct action against animal abuse in the form of rescuing animals and causing financial loss to animal exploiters, usually through the damage and destruction of property.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates that ALF adherents engage in crimes like arson, fire bombings, vandalism, intimidation, assaults, stalking, etc.
In an article by Homeland1 News , the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that for many years the ALF restricted targeting individuals in their operations. “They have attempted to intimidate, used graffiti, freed animals from universities, farms, and ranches, raided corporations, and/or caused intentional destruction of facilities through arson.” However, more recently, “ALF extremists have moved beyond raids and burning of structures and appear willing to employ murder to accomplish their goals.”
Understanding the nature and methodology of the attacks by ALF ecoterrorists is important, according to the article's author, particularly for the nation's emergency responders. They may approximate “leaderless resistance” by “exploiting the lone-wolf concept and operating in very small cells.” Jerry Vlasak, the Los Angeles founder of and spokesman for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office has stated: “The killing of researchers who use animals in their work is an acceptable tactic.”
Nuclear Detonation Preparedness
(Sources: DHS and the National Academies)
According to a fact sheet from the Department of Homeland Security and the National Academies, a nuclear attack involves an uncontrolled chain reaction that splits atomic nuclei (fission), causes a detonation, and generates an intense wave of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation. The production and release of radioactive particles follow the explosion.
A multi-agency document (PDF, 701 Kb) regarding nuclear detonation preparedness states: “All levels of government have responsibility for coordinating and communicating information regarding the incident to the public. State, local, and tribal authorities retain the primary responsibility for communicating health and safety instructions for their population.”
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed that this document was developed as a resource for emergency responders and federal, state, and local officials communicating with the public and media during the immediate aftermath of a nuclear detonation in the United States. Contained within the document are key messages for the impacted community as well as anticipated questions and answers for emergency response and recovery.
Additional information can be found in the Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation (PDF, 2.6 Mb) and Implications after a Nuclear Detonation (PDF, 299 Kb).
Disaster Response Staff Officer's Handbook
(Source: Center for Army Lessons Learned)
As stated in the Forward of the Disaster Response Staff Officer's Handbook (PDF, 7 Mb), the U.S. military response in the homeland affords overwhelmed first responders with the help needed after a major incident. Additionally, “the support offered provides a cushion for civilian leaders.” The military leadership will link into an incident command system and synchronize their operations with government and nongovernment organizations at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recently received a copy of this handbook. It serves as a planning guide for staff officers in National Guard units that serve as reaction forces, and also active duty units that are designated as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive consequence management response forces. Included in the handbook is information for all military components and services, as well as some of the local civil authorities, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations that military staff officers will encounter. |
