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Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service [October 2008]
"The national security system must be massively reorganized if federal agencies are to cooperate and collaborate more effectively to combat the multitude of threats facing the U.S. in the 21st century, according to recommendations released today by the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR). The PNSR recommendations outlined in Forging A New Shield would replace a national security system created 60 years ago, that despite many marginal attempts to reform, often discourages agencies from working together on joint assignments and policy implementation to respond to crises and effectively manage national security affairs. The recommendations comprise a broad set of mandates to improve the national security system by streamlining integrated strategy and policy among agencies and programs, improving coordination with a newly established network for sharing information, providing better job training for employees and consolidating Congressional oversight, the report says. The life safety of both firefighters and citizens depends on reliable, functional communication tools that work in the harshest and most hostile of environments. Firefighters operate in extreme environments that are markedly different from those of any other radio users. Firefighters operate lying on the floor; in zero visibility, high heat, high moisture, and wearing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) facepieces that distort the voice. They are challenged further by bulky safety equipment, particularly gloves, that eliminate the manual dexterity required to operate portable radio controls. Firefighters operate inside structures of varying sizes and construction types."
United States Fire Administration
2008-10
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Press Conference with Lieutenant General Henry Obering Regarding U.S. Missile Defense in Berlin, Germany [March 15, 2007]
In this press conference held in Germany in 2007, Lieutenant General Henry Obering provides context and background on the proposed U.S. missile defense system in Poland and Czech Republic, including the reasons the system is necessary, reassurances that system is purely defensive with no offensive capabilities, and a brief discussion on the Russian reaction. Questions posed by the audience following Obering's briefing address the following topics: the disagreement between academic experts and policy makers on long term threats, the reliability of the system and possible debris, the areas that will be protected by the system, the possibility of incorporating the system into NATO, the difficulties with Russia, alternative locations for the radar and interceptors, deterrence strategy, and expectations of the negotiations with the Czech Republic and Poland.
United States. Mission to Germany
Obering, Henry.
2007-03-15
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U.S. Measures Implementing the 2004 U.S.-EU Declaration on the Combating Terrorism
This statement renews the U.S. commitment to the main points of the the June 2004 U.S.-EU Summit Declaration on Combating Terrorism, which "renewed the Transatlantic commitment to cooperate closely and continue to work together to develop measures to maximize capacities to detect, investigate and prosecute terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks, prevent access by terrorists to financial and other economic resources, enhance information sharing and cooperation among law enforcement agencies, and improve the effectiveness of their border information systems." The seven points of the statement provide more details about the actions to combat terrorism taken by the U.S. in the past, as well as proposals for the future.
United States. Department of State
2005-06-20
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Maritime Information Exchange Model (MIEM)
This presentation addresses the Maritime Information Exchange Model (MIEM) which is designed to share actionable intelligence in the maritime domain. It outlines effective sharing requirements, best practices in industry, MIEM quality attributes, and the principles features of the model.
United States. Department of the Navy
Hayes-Roth, Rick; Reading, David
2008-09-29
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Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness: Open Maritime Data Sharing [presentation]
This Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness (GMSA) PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the office's mission and awareness of open maritime data sharing.
Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness (U.S.)
2008
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Information Sharing Environment Profile and Architecture Implementation Strategy, Version 1.0
"To comply with legislative and Presidential direction, this ISE [Information Sharing Environment] architectural approach builds upon processes affecting existing systems throughout the ISE, addresses terrorism-related information sharing across multiple levels of security and protection levels, and incorporates mechanisms for protecting privacy and civil liberties." Chapter one provides high level background information and defines the purpose and scope of the document, as well as the methods used to evaluate the ISE architectures; Chapter two briefly describes tools and approaches required to implement the ISE; Chapter three outlines the activities, inputs, and outcomes of each stage of ISE architecture development. Appendices A-F include the following: A letter from the Architecture and Infrastructure Committee approving the document as a valid strategy, list of acronyms, bibliography, glossary, definitions of specialized terms related to defining ISE-related business processes, and a summary of recommended actions for implementation.
United States. Information Sharing Environment
2008-05
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Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor
"This document, NIJ Standard-0101.06, 'Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor,' is a minimum performance standard developed in collaboration with the Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It is produced as part of the Standards and Testing Program of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. This standard is a technical document that specifies the minimum performance requirements that equipment must meet to satisfy the requirements of criminal justice agencies and the methods that shall be used to test this performance. This standard is used by the NIJ Voluntary Compliance Testing Program (CTP) to determine which body armor models meet the minimum performance requirements for inclusion on the NIJ Compliant Products List. In addition, manufacturers, criminal justice agencies, and others may use the tests described in this standard to determine whether a particular armor design meets their own requirements. Users are strongly encouraged to have this testing conducted in accordance with the NIJ CTP. Procurement officials may also refer to this standard in their purchasing documents and require that equipment offered for purchase meet or exceed these requirements. This document is a testing and performance standard and provides precise and detailed test methods. Additional requirements, processes, and procedures for CTP participants are detailed in the NIJ Voluntary CTP Administrative Procedures Manual."
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
2008-07
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Water and Wastewater Utility Case Study
"The utility described in this case study is a large combined water and wastewater utility, located in the southeastern coastal United States. The utility was selected for the case study based on its demonstrated commitment to security and emergency preparedness, its ongoing coordination with local emergency response agencies, and its willingness to participate in this study and share its experiences. The utility's emergency management plans are largely driven by the threat of hurricanes with multiple contamination and threat scenarios that could impact critical customers and assets being served. The utility has adopted an all-hazards approach to manage and mitigate diverse risks and its emergency preparedness includes planning for response, recovery, and mitigation phases of an incident. For security reasons the name of the utility is not identified." "Decontamination is a critical component of the recovery phase of a water system contamination incident. Pre-planning and coordination for decontamination and recovery of a water system can minimize the impacts of a water contamination incident to public health and the environment. Most utilities are familiar with decontamination methods such as flushing and chlorination associated with returning a broken distribution line to service or a water system contaminated with a conventional, regulated contaminant. However, to decontaminate and return a water system to service following a non-conventional chemical, biological, or radiological contamination incident requires effective pre-planning, communication, and coordination."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2008-09-30
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Investigation Report: Chemical Manufacturing Incident, Paterson, NJ, April 8, 1998
"This report explains the explosion and fire that occurred on April 8, 1998, at the Morton International, Inc. (now Rohm & Haas) plant in Paterson, New Jersey. The explosion and fire were the consequence of a runaway reaction, which over-pressured a 2000-gallon capacity chemical reactor vessel and released flammable material that ignited. Nine employees were injured, including two seriously, and potentially hazardous materials were released into the community. The key safety issue covered in this report was reactive chemical process safety management."
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
1998-04-08
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Investigation Report: Refinery Fire Incident, Martinez, CA, February 23, 1999
"This investigation report examines the refinery fire incident that occurred on February 23, 1999, in the crude unit at the Tosco Corporation Avon refinery in Martinez, California. Four workers were killed, and one was critically injured. This report identifies the root and contributing causes of the incident and makes recommendations for control of hazardous non-routine maintenance, management oversight and accountability, management of change, and corrosion control." Key issues discussed include: control of hazardous non-routine maintenance, management oversight and accountability, management of change, and corrosion control.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
1999-02-23
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Investigation Report: Catastrophic Vessel Overpressurization, Pitkin, Louisiana, March 4, 1998
"This report examines the catastrophic vessel failure and fire that occurred on March 4, 1998, near Pitkin, Louisiana, at an oil and gas production facility owned by Sonat Exploration Company. Four workers were killed in the incident. The root causes of the incident are identified, and recommendations are made concerning engineering and design management systems and the development of good-practice guidelines." Key issues discussed include: design & hazard reviews, pressure-relief devices, and operating procedures.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
1999
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Investigation Report: Steel Manufacturing Incident, Chesterton, Indiana, February 2, 2001
"On February 2, 2001, a fire occurred at Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Burns Harbor mill in Chesterton, Indiana. One Bethlehem Steel millwright and one contractor supervisor died. Four Bethlehem Steel millwrights were injured, one seriously. Workers were attempting to remove a slip blind1 and a cracked valve from a coke oven gas (COG) line leading to a decommissioned furnace. During removal of the valve, flammable liquid was released and ignited. Because of the serious nature of the incident, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) launched an investigation to determine the root and contributing causes and to issue recommendations to help prevent similar occurrences." Key issues discussed include: maintenance job planning, facility winterization and deadlegs, line and equipment opening, and decommissioning and demolition.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2002-01
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Review of the Department's Patterns of Global Terrorism 2003 Report
"In a June 18, 2004, letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, six members of the U.S. Senate requested that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) review how inaccurate and incomplete data and statements came to be included in the Patterns of Global Terrorism. 2003 report. Patterns- 2003, released on April 29, 2004, asserted that acts of international terrorism had declined slightly in the past several years and that 2003 had the 'lowest annual total of international terrorist attacks since 1969,' suggesting that the Administration was winning the global war on terrorism. Shortly thereafter, an op-ed piece in the Washington Post alleged that there were statistical errors in the report. Subsequent articles in various periodicals claimed terrorist acts had been left out, mislabeled, and counted incorrectly. On June 22, 2004, the Department of State (the Department) issued a revised version of the Patterns - 2003 report that identified an increase in the number of significant terrorist events. […]. OIG's review has found that the inaccurate statements in the report were based on omissions of IRP-adjudicated decisions and apparent inconsistencies in the database of terrorist events maintained by TTIC."
United States. Department of State. Office of the Inspector General
2004-09
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Department of Defense Directive 3115.09: DoD Intelligence Interrogations, Detainee Debriefings, and Tactical Questioning
This Department of Defense directive "consolidates and codifies existing DoD policies, including the requirement for humane treatment during all intelligence interrogations, detainee debriefings, or tactical questioning to gain intelligence from captured or detained personnel. […] Provides classification guidance to protect intelligence sources and methods, including the identities of interrogators, detainee debriefers, interpreters, other interrogation support personnel, and detainees who are subject to interrogations and debriefings. Assigns responsibilities for intelligence interrogations, detainee debriefings, tactical questioning, and supporting activities. Establishes the requirement to report violations of applicable law or policy relating to intelligence interrogations, detainee debriefings, or tactical questioning for which there is credible information."
United States. Department of Defense
2008-10-09
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Food Defense: The Vital Role of International Collaboration: Remarks of Marc L. Ostfield at the Biennial Meeting, The National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), June 28, 2007
From the remarks of Marc L. Ostfield: "I'd like to talk about some of the terms we use in our work and then some of the international issues for your consideration as researchers working on food defense. I should start off by indicating that there is a genuine terrorist threat to the global food supply, both at the production and processing stages. In May 2002, the World Health Assembly recognized this threat when it stated that "the malicious contamination of food for terrorist purposes is a real and current threat, and deliberate contamination of food at one location could have global public health implications." Evidence indicates that terrorist groups have considered the food supply as a target. Before the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, many modern bioterrorism attacks were perpetrated using food products with the express purpose of extortion, corporate sabotage, terrorism, political influence, destruction of brand or company image, and/or destruction of an economic sector. Materials discovered at Al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan show knowledge of specific agents that could be used to contaminate the food supply (their sources, maintenance, growth and toxicity) and the potential of the food supply as a means of distributing those agents for maximum harm."
United States. Department of State
2007-06-28
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Diplomacy to Advance Food Defense: Remarks of Marc L. Ostfield to the 6th Global Food Safety and Quality Conference, April 1, 2007
From the remarks of Marc L. Ostfield: "It's a pleasure to be here today to talk about food defense and, in particular, the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation and collaboration to protect the food supply from intentional contamination. As you know well, our food supply and distribution system is global in nature and poses a relatively soft target offering many points at which it could be deliberately contaminated. The recent melamine in pet food situation, for example, makes us all the more aware of how far and wide food-related items are distributed or the extent to which they are processed. Furthermore, as we know, characteristics of certain foods may make them more attractive targets because contamination of those foods increases the potential number of people impacted. Fortunately, while the food supply and distribution system are soft targets, there are many steps nations can and have taken individually and collectively to harden these targets and better enhance national and international food defense. Today, I'd like to talk about some of the ways we are approaching international cooperation in food defense - and then some of the international issues for your consideration as industry and academia working on food defense."
United States. Department of State
2007-08-01
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Intersectoral and International Cooperation on Combating Bioterrorism: Remarks of Marc L. Ostfield at NATO Conference on Elements of Combating WMD Terrorism, September 14, 2005
"It is a pleasure to be at this NATO conference with its explicit emphasis on international and intersectoral cooperation. U.S. efforts to combat WMD terrorism are inherently international in scope. Defeating terrorist organizations, preventing terrorist use of WMD, and enabling effective response and mitigation all require sustained, steadfast, and systematic international partnership. The trend away from centralized planning of terrorist activities and towards inspiration of local groups to commit acts of terror makes even more crucial the need for deeper international cooperation to defeat emerging violent extremist groups. The United States and its partners must intensify current efforts to bolster the political will and the intelligence, law enforcement, financial, health, agriculture, scientific, and military capabilities of partner nations to combat terrorism on their own or in partnership with us. No single country can successfully deal with WMD terrorism all on its own, but together we will prevail."
United States. Department of State
2005-09-14
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Black ICE: Briefing for Diplomatic Corps and other Guests by Ambassador Henry A. Crumpton, U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism, January 17, 2007
"The Black ICE tabletop exercise scenario simulated a smallpox attack with self-infected terrorists traveling via airplane from South Asia to Central Asia, and then moving about a major city during a large, outdoor event to infect as many others as possible. Eventually, over the course of the Black ICE scenario, the disease spreads throughout Europe, South Asia, Central Asia, and North America, resulting in cases in 17 nations, with 357 individuals infected, and 108 dead. The disease is first discovered when an extremely ill, apparently homeless young man is brought to a hospital and diagnosed with smallpox. He turns out to be one of the terrorists who had traveled from South Asia. The scenario's fictional terrorist group was called The Council of Eight, a radical student group at a medical college in South Asia. The Council of Eight has a history of threatening propaganda with unclear intent and vague motivations. The various facets of the Black ICE scenario raised a range of complex, global issues surrounding movement and border restrictions; vaccination policies; investigation strategies; trade implications; relationships between international organizations and national governments, relationships between various sectors such as public health, law enforcement, and military; and many other challenging multisectoral issues."
United States. Department of State
2007-01-17
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Fact Sheet: Protecting American Innovation [October 13, 2008]
"Today [October 13, 2008], President Bush signed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act. This legislation helps protect the rights of America's consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs by strengthening both our civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy. Specifically, the Act increases statutory damage awards in civil counterfeiting cases, it strengthens remedies available in the prosecution of criminal cases involving counterfeiting and piracy, it enhances resources (personnel, training, and equipment) for Department of Justice programs that combat IP theft, and makes permanent the Administration's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) Initiative and its inter-agency IP coordination efforts. The PRO-IP Act protects the work of American innovators, strengthens the rule of law, and will help keep American families safe."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2008-10-13
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Civilian Personnel Management Service Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide
"This guide contains advice for employees, managers and Human Resource (HR) practitioners on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. It is designed to assist management officials in exercising their authorities, fulfilling their responsibilities, and carrying out their management functions during disasters and emergencies. It addresses a number of human resource management areas to which special provisions apply during such situations. Used in conjunction with information and instructions from local emergency management offices as well as installation or command guidance, this guide will assist DoD employees with preparing for disaster response. […] The Department of Defense (DoD) involvement in contingency and disaster preparedness and response has increased and changed significantly in recent years. The Department's role in support of humanitarian missions, disaster relief and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) has required a much greater commitment of both military personnel and civilian employees an increased awareness of the potential for a pandemic has further increased challenges in assessing scenarios previously unforeseen."
United States. Department of Defense
2007-05
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Progress Made in Strengthening DHS Information Technology Management, But Challenges Remain
"This is one of a series of audit, inspection, and special reports prepared as part of our oversight responsibilities to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the department. This report addresses the strengths and weaknesses of Information Technology management activities as carried out by the department's Office of the Chief Information Officer. It is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents. The recommendations herein have been developed to the best knowledge available to our office, and have been discussed in draft with those responsible for implementation. It is our hope that this report will result in more effective, efficient, and economical operations. We express our appreciation to all of those who contributed to the preparation of this report."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2008-09
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FEMA's Sheltering and Transitional Housing Activities After Hurricane Katrina
"This report addresses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) performance in fulfilling its mission to provide housing assistance to victims and evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. We examined various regulations, policies, procedures, plans, and guidelines, and assessed whether resources were sufficient to address FEMA's management responsibilities with respect to providing housing assistance. The recommendations herein have been developed to the best knowledge available to our office and have been discussed in draft with those responsible for implementation. It is our hope that this report will result in a more effective, efficient, and economical housing program. We express our appreciation to all who contributed to the preparation of this report."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2008-09
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Field Manual No. 3-07: Stability Operations, October 2008
"Field Manual (FM) 3-07 is the Army's keystone doctrinal publication for stability operations. FM 3-07 presents overarching doctrinal guidance and direction for conducting stability operations, setting the foundation for developing other fundamentals and tactics, techniques, and procedures detailed in subordinate field manuals. It also provides operational guidance for commanders and trainers at all echelons and forms the foundation for Army Training System curricula. The six chapters that make up this edition of Stability Operations constitute the Army's approach to the conduct of full spectrum operations in any environment across the spectrum of conflict. This doctrine focuses on achieving unity of effort through a comprehensive approach to stability operations, but remains consistent with, and supports the execution of, a broader 'whole of government' approach as defined by the United States Government (USG). The principal audience for FM 3-07 is the middle and senior leadership of the Army, officers in the rank of major and above, who command Army forces or serve on the staffs that support those commanders. It is just as applicable to the civilian leadership of the Army. This manual is also intended to serve as a resource for the other government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, agencies of other governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector entities who seek to develop a better understanding of the role of the military in broader reconstruction and stabilization efforts. Seven appendixes complement the body of the manual."
United States. Department of the Army
2008-10
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Fact Sheet: Taking Urgently Needed Action to Stabilize Our Markets [October 7, 2008]
"Today, [October 7, 2008] President Bush visited Guernsey Office Products in Chantilly, Virginia, and discussed the Emergency Economic Stabilization legislation he signed last week in response to the financial crisis."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2008-10-07
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Hazard Investigation: Improving Reactive Hazard Management
"This report by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) examines chemical process safety in the United States - specifically, hazardous chemical reactivity. Its objectives are to: Determine the impacts of reactive chemical incidents; Examine how industry, OSHA, and EPA currently address reactive chemical hazards; Determine the differences, if any, between small, medium, and large companies with regard to reactive chemical policies, practices, in house reactivity research, testing, and process engineering; Analyze the appropriateness of, and consider alternatives to, industry and OSHA use of the NFPA instability rating system for process safety management; and Develop recommendations for reducing the number and severity of reactive chemical incidents."
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2002-10
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Investigation Report: Refinery Incident, Delaware City, Delaware, July 17, 2001
"This investigation report examines a refinery incident that occurred on July 17, 2001, at the Motiva Enterprises LLC Delaware City Refinery in Delaware City, Delaware. One worker was killed, eight were injured, and there was significant off-site environmental impact. This report identifies the root and contributing causes of the incident and makes recommendations on mechanical integrity, engineering management, management of change, and hot work systems." Key issues discussed include: mechanical integrity, engineering management, management of change, and hot work systems.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2002-10
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Investigation Report: Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning, Pennington, Alabama, January 16, 2002
"This investigation report examines a hydrogen sulfide poisoning incident that occurred on January 16, 2002, at the Georgia- Pacific Naheola mill in Pennington, Alabama. Two contractors were killed, and eight were injured. County paramedics reported symptoms of hydrogen sulfide exposure. This report identifies the root and contributing causes of the incident and makes recommendations on reactive hazard identification, hydrogen sulfide safety, and emergency response."
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2003-01
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Case Study: The Explosion at Concept Sciences: Hazards of Hydroxylamine
"This Case Study describes a catastrophic hydroxylamine (HA) explosion that occurred on February 19, 1999, at the Concept Sciences, Inc. (CSI), facility in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Four CSI employees and one employee of an adjacent business were killed; 14 people were injured." Key issues discussed include: hazards of processing hydroxylamine, process hazards evaluation, and chemical facility siting.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2002-03
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Investigation Report: Thermal Decomposition Incident, Augusta, Georgia, March 13, 2001
"This investigation report examines the thermal decomposition incident that occurred on March 13, 2001, at the BP Amoco Polymers, Inc., plant in Augusta, Georgia. Three workers were killed. This report identifies the root and contributing causes of the incident and makes recommendations for recognizing reactive hazards, learning from near-miss incidents, and opening process equipment." Key issues discussed include: recognition of reactive hazards, learning from near-miss incidents, and opening of process equipment.
United States. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2001-03-13
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Intelligence Activities in the Federal Government, May 1955
In this report, the U.S. Task Force on Intelligence Activities analyzes the national intelligence efforts of the U.S. and make recommendations with a view to correcting the weaknesses, improving the quality, and increasing the efficiency of vital intelligence operations.
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
1955-05
