2010-2011 Flu Season
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The 2010-2011 flu season officially began three weeks ago on 1 October. Although epidemics of influenza occur every year, the timing, severity, and length of the outbreak depends on many factors, including what flu viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the last flu season (2009-2010) the world experienced the emergence of the H1N1 virus (sometimes called the “swine flu”). This virus caused the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years.
When attempting to discern the relevance for the Emergency Services Sector (ESS), the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) ascertained that the CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting emergency personnel against this potentially serious sickness. “While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.”
The EMR-ISAC confirmed there are additional preventive measures first responders can practice to avoid infection, such as good health habits (e.g., quit smoking), frequently washing hands, avoiding sick people when possible, and antiviral medications if prescribed. More Seasonal Flu Information is available to assist ESS organizations in their prevention and protection efforts to maintain operational effectiveness.
Dirty Bombs Update
(Sources: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and The National Academies)
In its Fact Sheet of August 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) discussed that a dirty bomb is one type of Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) that combines conventional explosives (e.g., dynamite) with radioactive material that may disperse when the device explodes. It is meant to be an area-denial weapon designed to render land and buildings unusable through the spread of radioactive contamination.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that dirty bombs may kill some people and contaminate property. However, they are also weapons of mass terror and disruption, as reports of radioactive contamination can incite fear and result in significant economic, social, and psychological harm that could have far greater consequences than the initial personal and physical damage from the weapon.
The National Academies also issued a Fact Sheet explaining the materials that can be used in dirty bombs are found in laboratories, research facilities, medical centers, food irradiation plants, and other industrial sites. Therefore, local public and private sector organizations as well as the emergency services must consider these sources when planning for the protection and resilience of their critical infrastructures. Concurrently, the NRC continues working to strengthen security for high-risk radioactive sources both at home and abroad.
Urban to Rural Evacuation Planning
(Sources: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis and Rural Health Research & Policy Centers)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recently reviewed the study titled “ Urban to Rural Evacuation: Planning for Rural Population Surge.” (PDF, 378 KB) Researchers at the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis initiated this effort, at the request of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, with guidance to determine needs resulting from the potential population surge from an urban evacuation during which rural infrastructures will likely be stretched thin or possibly overwhelmed.
The EMR-ISAC learned that this study is the outcome of a comprehensive literature review, qualitative, and quantitative analyses to assess the likelihood of urban evacuation to rural areas and to provide recommendations for rural planning and emergency response. Although there has been much attention on government-mandated evacuations and related requirements to transport and shelter large numbers of evacuees, “the purpose of this study was to investigate the issue of spontaneous evacuation in which individuals evacuate themselves and their families.”
According to the study, “In smaller communities with limited resources, even small numbers of evacuees represent sizeable increases in population, and can jeopardize the integrity of resources and infrastructure.” In order to appropriately plan for this probable surge in population, “it is important to understand evacuation intent and behavior.” Rural emergency managers and first responders are challenged to comprehensively evaluate the consequences should urban residents evacuate to or even through their communities, and adjust their local plans to ensure the protection and resilience of their critical infrastructures.
2009 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officer LODDs
(Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation)
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Press Release announced the publication this week of FBI 2009 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, which are determined to be Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs).
Within this document, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed that 48 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year; 47 officers died in accidents while performing their duties; and 57,268 officers were assaulted while on duty.
The 2009 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted provides comprehensive tabular data about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks.
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REPORTING NOTICE
DHS and the FBI encourage recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and/or the FBI. The DHS National Operation Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov.
The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm.
For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov.
When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.
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U.S. Fire Administration · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Emmitsburg, MD 21727 · (301) 447-1325 | 
