CBRNE Exercise Includes Flu Vaccinations
(Source: Fire Rescue 1 News)
On November 12, 2011, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) held its eighth annual chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) exercise, in which it offered the influenza vaccine to all FDNY members. The vaccine provides protection from two strains of the influenza virus as well as the H1N1 pandemic. “This tests our preparedness and provides our members with an important vaccination that will protect them and the public,” said Dr. Kerry Kelly, the FDNY Chief Medical Officer.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC)
recognizes tha t this innovation is an expedient method and good practice to prepare department personnel for the flu season. Fire companies, EMS units, and administrative staff were dispatched to one of seventeen points of distribution closest to where they work. FDNY also deployed its Incident Management Team to coordinate the exercise.
“This is a protection for our members, so that when they go home, if there's an event, their family will be safe. And this is just part of our preparedness since September 11 th , working with Homeland Security to ensure that we can provide first responder service if we are hit with a biological or chemical event,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano .
New Geospatial Website
(Source: Federal Geographic Data Committee)
The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is an interagency committee that promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geospatial data on a national basis. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) received confirmation that the FGDC and its geospatial partners recently unveiled a prototype Geospatial Platform website providing an initial view of the future of user-friendly, integrated, federal data collections on common geographic maps.
This initial version of the Geospatial Platform combines map-based data and tools with the latest Internet technologies to deliver geospatial information in a simplistic and understandable package. Personnel of emergency services departments; federal, state, and local agencies; and the public can easily find federally-maintained geospatial data, services, and applications, as well as access data from partners across state, regional, local, and tribal governments.
Through the FGDC website, users can create their own maps by combining their data with public domain data and can collaborate in public and private groups with others who share their interests. Maps assembled within the Geospatial Platform can be shared with others through web browsers and mobile technologies. All of this is possible without requiring users to install software on their own computers.
The FGDC news release contains more details about the platform.
Lone Wolf Activity
(Source: Homeland Security Today)
According an article in Homeland Security Today , an individual was arrested recently in New York for plotting to attack police and military personnel with explosives. “The suspect was a so-called lone-wolf, motivated by his own resentment of the presence of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as inspired by Al Qaeda propaganda. He was not part of a larger conspiracy emanating from abroad,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced at a press conference.
When arrested, the subject was in the process of making dangerous pipe bombs, prompting authorities to apprehend him quickly to prevent the manufacture and use of the deadly weapons. While in custody, he expressed extremist views including admiration for Osama Bin Laden and his desire to kill Army and Marine Corps personnel returning from deployment. The person also spoke of bombing post offices, bombing police cars, and attacking a police station.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that terrorism specialists at the New York Police Department believe the foiled plot demonstrates the ongoing threat by radicalized “lone wolfs” willing to commit acts of violence against their fellow citizens and homeland. Therefore, they encourage everyone to remain vigilant of their surroundings and working environment, and to support the Department of Homeland Security campaign: “ If You See Something, Say Something .” Special attention should be directed to unattended packages, suspicious persons, and questionable vehicles.
FEMA Think Tank
(Source: FEMA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Rich Serino recently announced a new online initiative called “ The FEMA Think Tank ” to generate creative ideas for strengthening the emergency management field and improving the nation's capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
According to a recent post on the FEMA Blog , the FEMA Think Tank will have two components. The first will be an online forum for those who want to discuss a variety of emergency management issues. Individuals are able to rate other people's ideas, make comments on ideas already submitted, and search all ideas previously presented. The second component will be monthly conference calls . Each month, Deputy Administrator Serino will discuss three to four ideas generated from the online forum that address improving emergency management at the federal level.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) confirmed that a nyone can participate in the FEMA Think Tank. FEMA is specifically reaching out to state, local, and tribal governments, and to all members of the public, including the private sector, the disability community, and volunteer community, to seek their input on how to improve the emergency management system.
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