Increased Vigilance
(Sources: Homeland Security Today and Indiana.Gov)
Although no specific information indicates an attack is imminent, administration and congressional officials emphasized the need for increased vigilance resulting from the death of Osama bin Ladin, according to Homeland Security Today .
Under the circumstances, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges the prudence for Emergency Services Sector personnel to exercise attentiveness to suspicious persons and suspect activities during the performance of duties. Anyone or anything considered irregular should be reported consistent with departmental requirements.
To assist situation awareness and the detection of potential terrorist acts, the EMR-ISAC offers the following 8 Signs of Terrorism abbreviated from the non-sensitive Indiana.gov website :
· Surveillance. Drawing diagrams, note taking, or vision-enhancing devices to monitor or record facilities and activities.
· Inquiries. Obtaining information on the people, procedures, or security of a facility.
· Tests of Security. Endeavoring to breach security measures or assess response times.
· Fundraising. Seeking donations to seemingly legitimate organizations, engaging in credit card fraud, defrauding the elderly, expending large amounts of cash in business transactions.
· Acquiring Supplies. Gathering harmful chemicals, infected materials, or other supplies for attacks.
· Suspicious Persons. Appearing “out-of-place” in a particular setting due to unusual behavior.
· Dry Runs. Rehearsing attack plans to eliminate flaws or unanticipated problems.
· Deploying Assets. Placing people and supplies into place to commit the attack.
See Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano's Press Release regarding the 8 Signs of Terrorism and click here to view a video on this subject.
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
(Source: DHS)
According to the website for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), it is a jointly staffed agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for implementing domestic nuclear detection efforts for a managed and coordinated response to radiological and nuclear threats, as well as integration of federal nuclear forensics programs. Additionally, DNDO is charged with coordinating the development of the global nuclear detection and reporting architecture, with partners from federal, state, local, private sector, and international governments.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) confirmed that DNDO strategic objectives include the following actions:
· Facilitate situational awareness through information sharing and analysis.
· Establish operational protocols to ensure detection leads to effective response.
· Conduct a transformational research and development program.
· Provide centralized planning, integration, and advancement of U.S. government nuclear forensics.
Of particular interest to Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies is the DNDO Mission Management Directorate (MMD). This directorate identifies, coordinates, and assists in prioritizing programs across DNDO that meet the needs of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) and enhance the capability of stakeholders, thereby reducing the risk of radiological/nuclear terrorism. MMD helps to define a path forward for DNDO, one that makes the best use of available resources, while taking into account the broadest spectrum of threats and user needs.
The DNDO can be contacted by writing to dndo.info@dhs.gov
International Atomic Energy Agency Products
(Source: International Atomic Energy Agency)
T he Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reviewed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Guide (PDF, 561 Kb) regarding the “Categorization of Radioactive Sources.” The Guide explains that sealed and unsealed radioactive sources are used for a variety of purposes throughout the nation in medicine, industry, agriculture, research, and education. It cautions that if not managed safely and securely, “the radioactive material can cause severe effects to individuals in a short period of time.”
This Safety Guide offers a risk based ranking of radioactive sources and practices using a categorization system with a flexibility to be applied in a wide range of circumstances. The objective of the Guide is to provide a simple, logical system for ranking radioactive sources in terms of their potential to cause harm to human health, and for grouping sources and practices into discrete categories.
The IAEA also has a Manual for First Responders to a Radiological Emergency (PDF 2.9 Mb), which recommends tactical and survival information for Emergency Services Sector personnel. It is designed to present practical guidance for responders during the first hours of a radiological emergency, and for state and federal officials who would support the early response. The majority of the manual's content consists of step-by-step directions, checklists, photographs, and graphics.
The Safety Guide and Manual are evidence of the IAEA mission to collect and disseminate information concerning methodologies, techniques, and results of research relating to responses to nuclear or radiological emergencies.
Active Shooter: What You Can Do
(Source: FEMA)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) received notification regarding the availability of a new Independent Study Course titled “ Active Shooter: What You Can Do .” This is a no-cost online training course developed to provide the public with guidance on how to prepare for and respond to active shooter crisis situations.
According to the course description, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. “Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.”
The course provides guidance to individuals, including managers and employees, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation. The training is available through the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
For more information pertaining to active shooters, see the Department of Homeland Security “ Active Shooter” booklet (PDF, 984 Kb). |
